brentgodfrey's Profile
Best Chinese outside of Chinatown?
I'm very picky, travel a lot and am always hunting for especially good Chinese. The best I know in all of eastern MA is Mary Chung Restaurant on Mass Ave in Central Square (near the Middle East, same block just a few doors down). Here is the catch, though I love this restaurant (it is one of my fav's across all price points) I believe their are two sides to it. Its Americanized Dim Sum menu on weekends (11:30 - 3:00) is top of class, but its food the rest of the week is only above average, not the standout like its Dim Sum. There are certain dishes I feel very strongly about (as being very good) that I think will be sure to hook any first time visitor, otherwise their extensive menu can be a bit overwhelming for newbies. I highly recommend the following:
"Steamed," not fried, Peking Ravioli (the skin is thin and the sauce just right)
Small Steamer Buns (another pork dumpling, but much smaller and more delicate than the Peking Ravioli - it arrives in a bamboo steamer basket w/ a delicate yet complex ginger sauce)
Their particularly just right Crab Rangoon
Fried Eggplant
A special they often have listed at the front of the restaurant is "Grandma's Pie" (a mushroom dish that is so hearty it is hard to believe it is a vegetarian dish)
A very hot and spicy noodle dish called Dun Dun
If you don't like hot and spice go for any of the Taiwan Style Fried Rice Noodle dishes (there are several choices of Pork, Chicken or Veggies), I prefer the Pork
Start with these recommendations and you will return regularly and crave it in-between visits. Fyi, it is Cash Only and remember, only the weekend Dim Sum is astandout. Enjoy!
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Mary Chung Restaurant
460 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
Middle East Restaurant
472 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
