Masks, Middlebelt, and Mo Shu: A Chinese Excursion

Today was one of those soggy, dreary, cold, foggy, wet,--did I say cold?-- days in Metro Detroit.  So when one of the guys suggested that we go for Chinese, hot and sour soup and a fresh Egg Roll sounded like a good idea.  We headed for a little place that we go to on occasion on Ford road not far from Middlebelt called New Pe King.

Now I have to confess that the first time that I was taken to this restaurant, I was deeply concerned.  A friend of mine told me that he wanted to take me for some, "great Chinese" one day.  In order to avoid offending him I agreed despite the fact that I was seriously skeptical about any, "great Chinese" existing in the state of Michigan.  I had been to several places and had all but given up on the fact that any, even good, Chinese food existed in the Metro area let alone the state.  As we pulled up in the drive my skepticism was still heavy.  The sign.  The store front.  None of it was silencing my fears, but I did not want to offend my companion so I tried to act excited about the experience.  I really thought I was about to get another bad Chinese buffet with gaudy decor.

When we stepped inside, I was pleasantly surprised.  There was no buffet table anywhere to be found, and there were actual Asian people eating the food, and not just a few, but my friend and I were the minority!  Eureka!  This place could have potential!   The hostess seated us and almost immediately hot tea was being poured in our cups and the waiter left the pot on the table.  After we ordered soups came right out and then our meals, and everything was really good.  Half way through the meal, I told my friend that I had been really skeptical about coming here, but he had made a great choice.  This place had far exceeded my expectations.

In the years since, I have made many trips back for lunch and I am never disappointed with what I have ordered.  The lunch menu is quite diverse and inexpensive.  Lunches include soup, and an Egg Roll.  None of us are in agreement on the Egg Rolls.  Some of the guys like them here, and others don't.  Personally, I think they have a great flavor.  Mine could have been a little crispier today.

The four of us ordered:

• Sweet & Sour Chicken- Yup, you know this one
• Yu-Shan Chicken-Marinated slices of chicken & shredded bamboo, water chestnut and woodear mushroom sauteed with a tangy vineger & sugar in a spicy hoisin sauce
• Schezuan Chicken- Marinated sliced breast of chicken with shredded celery, carrots, woodear, in Szechuan and a spicy brown sauce. 
• Vegetable Lo Mein- You know this one too.

Yu-Shaun

Vegetable Lo Mein

Wonton Soup

We also had Hot and Sour soup, Egg Drop, and a bowl of Wanton.  The Wanton was the winner of all of these today, but all of our soups were warm today, not hot.  That was a real disappointment on a rainy, cold day.  A couple of the guys said that their food was not hot, it was only warm.  This may have been because they were waiting on my dish because it was so hot I had to wait to eat it.

Our server was outstanding, very friendly and attentive.  He took the time to explain the use of, "Woodear" mushrooms in their dishes.

I can't say that today's experience was one of the best that we have had, but New Pe King does serve excellent Chinese food.  Their dinner menu is impressive, one of the guys loves the crispy duck.  Over all we gave today's experience a 2.5 out of 5.

Take the time to check it out, you will not be disappointed that you did.