A humble primer on Mei Long Village

[ipsedixit]

Because JeetJet asked ...

But before I begin, let me preface this by saying that MLV is not-the-end-all-be-all of Shanghai restaurants. It's fine for what it is, but don't go there expecting an orgasmic experience.

So here goes (just one person's humbe, limited opinion).

Aside from the XLB (which are pretty good), here are some other things one might want to order:

1. Pork pump. Who doesn't like pork, esp. when the meat and fat have been braised so long they become like one. If there was a Vulcan mind-meld for food, this would be it.

2. Stir-fired nian-gao. I think of this as the Shanghai version of "chewy" potato latkes.

3. Lion's Head meatball. Don't order this if you don't like pungent food, or if you have something against star anise, or if you think clay pots are gauche. I esp. like the nappa cabbage that comes with the meatballs (and, note, they'll replenish the stock free of charge if you ask, including the nappa cabbage).

4. Spareribs. Better than most of the stuff you find at dim sum places IMO. Sweet, salty with just a pinch of dry heat (if you request it with the kitchen). Very good and tender.

5. Fish tail. Why? Because man (or woman) cannot live on pork alone.

6. Jade shrimp. Nice and light, and you can actually taste ... shrimp! A bit slippery and unless you're Das Ubergeek, eating these with chopsticks can test a person's patience and/or preserverance.

Things to avoid ... chicken (dry and oftentimes too salty), fried fish dishes (go with the fish tail, you're better off), tofu dishes (either hot or cold they leave me wanting more), any of the rice or noodle dishes, esp. the Shanghai noodles dishes, which both J&J or DragonMark next door do a better job of.

And, lastly, skip any of the dessert items and save the time and money for a foot massage down a couple of storefronts ...

[glutton]

Would you consider their wonton soup to be a "noodle dish"? Perhaps I'm all wet on these things (I'm admittedly not as well-versed in Chinese foods), but I thought the MLV version was pretty high quality. it was an epiphany for my wife, who had associated Chinese food with all that crappy take-out she'd eaten as a kid. But maybe there is even better wonton soup to be found in LA? If so, where? My wife is a lover of soups, which is why I am fixated on this one dish.

[ipsedixit]

glutton,

Funny you should ask about wonton soup ... http://www.chowhound.com/topics/371103

As to whether it is considered a noodle dish, I don't think so. I think it's just wonton soup, unless of course you order it with noodles! Eat, drink and be happy and worry less about food labels.

Cheers.

[JeetJet]

I have my marching orders. My Thanks to ipsedixit and all of you who added to the list.

Mei Long Village (Try Xiao Long Bao, or “Shanghai style dumplings”, aka, “soup dumplings,” House Fried Rice “shrimp,” lions head meatballs. won ton noodles, house pork pump, spicy beef noodle soup, spare ribs, Stir-fired nian-gao Fish tail, Jade shrimp, )
301 West Valley Blvd., #112
San Gabriel
626-308-9238

[tannazie]

we always get, along with dumplings:
- house special noodles (my favorite, pan-fried, lots of veggies and shrimp. yum)
- bok choi and shiitake mushrooms
- something involving 'noodles' that are actually really chewy doughy discs, pork, and greens of some sort?

but i will try the jade shrimp next time -- sounds great.

[ipsedixit]

"- something involving 'noodles' that are actually really chewy doughy discs, pork, and greens of some sort?"

That's the stir-fried nian-gao I mentioned. The doughy discs, as you say, are the nian-gao.

[tannazie]

ah! thanks for the clarification! are they potato-based?

[ipsedixit]

glutinous rice

[bulavinaka]

Thanks, Ipse - I can never remember the the proper name... Tannazie, think of it as a more concentrated form of mochi...

[odub]

Rice cake = nian-gao. As someone else noted, they're like the Chinese version of Japanese mochi. Dense and chewy. I've always loved rice cake but given that it's not really a Cantonese dish, it's not a common feature in older Chinese restaurants in the states. You will find them, however, in most Shanghai-style spots.

In any case, I'm about to try MLV tonight. Looking forward to it, especially the braised pork belly.

[rantsnravesnreviews]

I too love MLV, and tried some of the dishes you mentioned, their soup dumplings and Pork Pump are big favorites. I would never have found the place if it hadn't been for this board and all the reviews about XLB. They are my new obsession. Here is my experience with pictures:
http://rantsnravesnreviews.blogspot.c...

[wizardx]

Spot on for the most part. .. But I have to say MLV IS orgasmic to me; I love all the bold flavors, and as an admitted newbie to Shanghai style cuisine, I am working my way through the Mei Long menu and have yet to have even a slight disappointment. I guess the main thing I want to know is where can I go for better Shanghai cuisine? With or without XLB (errr.... preferably with)

[Chowpatty]

Wizard, have you tried Green Village, right across the street? It's much fancier but has a larger array of dishes, some of them very good.

[wizardx]

No I havent tried it yet... any rec's ? .....I recall people saying it was similar to MLV. I think I might be able to make my car take a right turn instead of a left turn... it won't be easy but I'm up for the challenge.

[Chowpatty]

Here's a short report on Green Village, we didn't have enough people to try that many dishes, but don't miss the Wuxi spareribs.
http://eatingla.blogspot.com/2007/03/...

[PhilLevel]

We love MLV. Add shrimp two ways and 3 cups chicken to my list of favs.

[Vegasbuff]

I enjoyed my visit to Mei Long Village.

Here's my experience with some pictures: http://vegasbuff.blogspot.com/2007/07...

[Cicely]

or (for dessert) grab some cream puffs from Beard Papa, just across the parking lot!

**crap, just realized my post is totally redundant with the one above, but I can't erase it.

[CarlieInLA]

We just went to Mei Long Village (for dumplings) and had some really yummy noodle soup, I think it was the beef stew noodle soup. It was spicy and the broth had a lot of flavor. Next time we will have to try the pork pump, that sounds really good!

Oh, and another great dessert idea is to go to Beard Papa a few doors down. It is a perfect ending to a yummy meal.

[hana4n6]

Ipsedixit,
Pardon my ignorance, but what is pork pump and how does it taste like?
Thanks in advance...

[ipsedixit]

Pork pump (or really, it should be pork rump) is pork shank.

As far as taste? It's salty, sticky and sweet. Think of slathering the most tender piece of prime rib you can imagine that's been imbued with a smoky sweet BBQ sauce, and then quadruple that effect ... then you'll have both the taste and mouth-feel of pork pump (or rump).

[hana4n6]

Wow, thanks...

[wizardx]

The house special version is sublime, it's cooked for 12 hours (order in advance)

[Ciao Bob]

Having the pre-ordered brine-cured pork pump tonight...can't wait. I have enjoyed the regular pork pump many times so this should be a treat.
I also love the potstickers at MLV...some find the skin dough too thick but I think they are perfect.

[ipsedixit]

The potstickers (or gou-tia) are great -- despite the protestations of my more cultured family members, I always eat these with my hands ... so much easier to handle than with chopsticks. Pop'em into my mouth like thick-cut steak fries.

Potstickers, pork pump ... Bob, just make sure to have your Lipitor prescription filled beforehand and your defibrillator fully charged just in case ... wouldn't want to lose member of the Chowhound community to an unintended overdose of good eatin' ...

Cheers.

[raytamsgv]

Eating with your hands? I always knew you had some barbarian blood in you.... :-)

[ipsedixit]

More like Mongolian blood ... wouldn't you say?

[wizardx]

I gotta agree with you CB the potstickers are great, and you are going to LOVE that pork pump!! I am drooling...

[Ciao Bob]

I am bringing about 10 friends who have never been there, so it should be quite a feast. Have also pre-ordered the fish head casserole with bean "noodles" and tofu which I think is quite outstanding.
Glad you both like the gou-tia...and those Shanghai Rice Cakes, nian-gao, are spectacular.

For the rest of the meal Lion's Head Meatballs, Jade Shrimp, Spareribs, XLB, Fish Tail, Preserved Beans with Tofu Skin are likely. Cold Chicken appetizer and some veggie appetizer/dish as well are under serious consideration. Lipitor dessert, as Ipsedixit suggests, perhaps dissolved in Mango!

[Wonginator]

I've had the pork pump at Mei Long Village and Lake Spring Shanghai, and both are equally sublime. Most tender type of pork I've had anywhere recently.