HELP! what to eat at a Chinese page

[badbunny]

I have been requested to entertain some VIP guests at work and they are adamant they want to go to a Chinese Restaurant. I gave up Chinese a while back just because I don't like their liberal use of MSG....anyway, I have to go and I am racking my brains to think of the least damaging eats!!

Help

[jsa23]

There are some dishes out there you can get at Chinese restaurants that are little more than steamed meat/veggies and possibly some rice. See if there are any items like this on the menu. And as far as MSG goes - I'd make that your 2nd priority - avoiding breaded/deep-fried dishes cooked in unknown oils should be top priority - a little MSG is far less important than the above. But looked for the steamed meat/veggies.

Anyhow, I've been in the same spot at work. I'd strongly suggest seeing if you can get a copy of the menu ahead of time, so you can form a plan. Makes it easier if you're not frantically searching while your guests are waiting to order.

[Marion C Thao]

There are some dishes out there you can get at Chinese restaurants that are little more than steamed meat/veggies and possibly some rice. See if there are any items like this on the menu. And as far as MSG goes - I'd make that your 2nd priority - avoiding breaded/deep-fried dishes cooked in unknown oils should be top priority - a little MSG is far less important than the above. But looked for the steamed meat/veggies.

Anyhow, I've been in the same spot at work. I'd strongly suggest seeing if you can get a copy of the menu ahead of time, so you can form a plan. Makes it easier if you're not frantically searching while your guests are waiting to order.

I am agree with your reply.... Good thinking...

[Forever Young]

Meat and veggies!! Stick to that combo and skip the processed carbs that come with it. Take some omega 3's afterwards. You'll be fine. It won't be nearly as good as a good home cooked real food meal but you'll be ok.

[ASmallOne]

A lot of the chinese joints around here offer prawn cocktails ... though they are labelled shrimp cocktails, it's like the one's with say 10 prawns and a center dish of some kind of sauce. you could get a few of those if you really want to go hardcore and stay away from msg etc. mine also has an octopus salad that is essentially little octopuses steamed in vinegar with pepper flakes. and sometimes they also have oysters and mussels on the half-shell.

you'll definitely be overpaying for low-quality seafood if you get it at a chinese restaurant, but if you are really concerned with msg (it makes me very sick to eat it) it's a safe route to take. i think not being able to tolerate MSG is pretty common and chinese restaurant staff, and your co-workers, would not think it too strange to make a choice based on that... (if you are concerned with such a thing)

[john_e_turner_ii]

Also, ask for the sauce on the side. That way your meal is not drowning in a corn syrup and soy sauce mess.

[badbunny]

Thanks for all the advice, I suppose if nothing else it will become a talking point which will allow me to evangelise