Growing up, I ate a lot of Chinese food. I don’t know if it was because my mom was a working single mother that didn’t really like to cook or what, but we had our go-to Chinese place that we frequented pretty often. In our case, it was a restaurant called House of Chinese Gourmet. My mom and I would always get two things and share them because that’s what we felt that you were supposed to do with Chinese food. You were not supposed to get your own dish. We’d usually end up getting Moo Goo Gai Pan and Moo Shu Vegetables. House of Chinese Gourmet closed when I was in high school (it was on Rockville Pike, near Congressional Plaza for anyone who is familiar with suburban Maryland.) and I never found a go-to Chinese place in Maryland that was as good. Although, I went to college in Vermont and then subsequently moved to Georgia shortly after.
When we bought our house in 2010, it took me a while to find a decent Chinese place nearby. But I think I stumbled upon a winner when my mom and I (again with the Chinese food, right?) got take-out from a place near my house called Hunan Inn when she was last here. It was just random; I used to drive by it on my way to work so we decided to try it. Success! Jason and I tried it again last night and it was just as good.
I had steamed shrimp with vegetables and a seaweed salad. Seaweed salad isn’t typical for a Chinese restaurant, but it tasted fine. I also had some really good Chinese food earlier in the week and here’s the kicker: I made it myself.
Remember that Moo Shu vegetable dish that I liked growing up? Here it is in a healthier reincarnation courtesy of Eating Well’s 25 Quick Vegetarian Dishes.
I only used 1 cup of mung beans, doubled the soy sauce and added some chili garlic sauce. This was just like the Moo Shu from House of Chinese Gourmet. At least that’s what I choose to believe.
Do you have a go-to Chinese restaurant? Do you eat Chinese food often?
Good to know! It is really, really hard to find good Chinese food in Atlanta. We’re a more of a Korean city.
Can’t wait for Saturday!!!!
I’m not really a fan of Chinese food- I never ate it when I was growing up. My parents actually love it and the only time I’ve had “real” Chinese food is Chinatown in LA. Not half bad!
I haven’t had Chinese takeout in AGES. I’ve heard there are no good places in Charleston. Love at home takeout!!
We used to get Chinese take-out a lot when I was a kid. I thought everything was great- but then again, I definitely didn’t have a refined palette as a teenager.
Ever since I discovered Vietnamese food, I never get Chinese. We have a wonderful Vietnamese place right by our house. We generally get Pho, but they have a huge list of other foods too- very similar to Chinese, but a lot lighter and more appealing (to me). I always ask for the sauce on the side anyway, because I’d rather have my food with a side of sauce, rather than the opposite.
Us too!! We were big Chinese people in my house…at least once a week. Our neighborhood spot was called Dragon Garden and I still believe that is the best Chinese food ever!!!
I sort of wonder if it’s a Jewish thing. I don’t know why it would be, but it seems like Jewish families eat a lot of Chinese food!
I get migraines after eating Chinese food almost every time, so I only have it a couple times a year. It’s sad, because I love it.
ooooh I love the lightened up recipe for moo shu! I must try it! I need to find a good one around here too. haven’t even tried yet, but now I just may
i thought i was the only one wh made moo shu veg their “go to” chinese dish!
I’m really the only person in my family who likes chinese so I eat it like, once a year. I love sweet and sour chicken and fried rice.
Oooh I’ve never made moo shu myself, now I am craving for it! Thanks for sharing the link to the recipe!
I love Chinese but don’t eat it very often. Our favorite place is in an uber sketchy hood but their crab Rangoon make up for it. I try to make it at home but usually fail miserably. I can do fried rice OK but that’s about it.
I <3 Chinese food. I love moo shu chicken!
I ate LOTS of Chinese food too growing up! There was a really GREAT place by my house. Ahhh memories.
I haven’t found anything nearly as good down here – so we only eat it once and a while (always on NYE!).
That recipe looks great!
Have you ever had Main Moon in the Publix shopping center on Hugh Howell??? It’s been our go-to Chinese place for YEARS, I absolutely love it! Btw Los Hermanos that’s in that shopping center is an awesome Mexican place too, dunno if you’ve been there! Tucker’s got some pretty good spots!
Also that moo shu looks DELICIOUS!
Oh, I should try that one. Have you been to Hunan Inn? It’s on Chamblee-Tucker near 285.
Hi there! Just stumbled upon your blog and am looking to connect with more Georgia runners, as I’m still pretty new to the state! Love your blog!
Megan
Nice to “meet” you! Are you in Atlanta? About to check out your blog.
Hey there! No, I’m up in Athens actually. But in Atlanta semi-frequently and have been checking out races in and around the area.
Yummm, I love chinese food! We have a place near us that is so freaking delicious and cheap!
I have favorites and different resturants. Shrimp Fried Rice we go to Hunan Wok. etc