One of my favorite places to visit with friends is Li Lian Gui Dongbei Restaurant in OCT above the farmers’ market behind the Walmart. Whenever we go there, we get lots of the same stuff, but so many other things are great. On this recent trip, I made it a more vegetarian affair.

Di San Xian is one of my particular favorites. A mix of potatoes, sweet green bell peppers, and eggplant are braised in oil with garlic. Next, we ordered Xiao Cong Ban Doufu, a cold dish of somewhat stiff tofu mixed with wild onions and tossed with oil.

Another similar dish we had was Xiao Cong Chao Dan, which replaces the tofu with fresh warm scrambled eggs. We also had an order of jiaozi, aka dumplings. In keeping with the veggie theme, these jiaozi were filled with egg and vegetable. If you love your meat, however, I would suggest the Zhu Rou Bai Cai Jiaozi (pork and cabbage dumplings). If you’re feeling really adventurous, Li Lian Gui serves donkey meat dumplings which I hear are very delicious.

For dessert, we ordered Basi Xiangjiao, fried balls of banana dough covered with warm liquid sugar syrup. You need to eat this as soon as it comes out; as the syrup cools, the sugar hardens and becomes almost like glass and very difficult to remove from each other and the plate.

For other meaty recommendations that we didn’t get this trip, I suggest getting the smoked chicken (Yan Xun Ji), the pulled or sliced pork pockets (Xun Rou Da Bing), fried battered pork with honey (Gu Bao Rou) and the sweet and sour fried fish (Tang Cu Yu). This is only a small offering of suggestions.

On the downside, their service can be a bit spotty as many restaurants can be. The wait staff forgot to bring dishes we ordered, or brought them very late. However, keeping in mind that most restaurants here are lacking in service industry skills, Li Lian Gui Dongbei Restaurant is worth a visit for their delicious food and reasonable prices. If you can get past the service, I think you will enjoy it a lot.

Dongbei food is one of my favorite cuisines in China, so I hope you’ll give Li Lian Gui a try.

For more details on the Li Lian Gui Dongbei Restaurant, please check our directory listings.

Photos: Jeff Bussel