![]() It can be found in parts of China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore, and in cities with a large Hakka population. The dumplings' round shape is also said to represent reunion and good health. The dumplings are boiled then stir-fried with minced pork, shiitake or wood ear mushrooms, dried shrimp, dried cuttlefish and firm bean curd.ĭue to its association with the abacus and counting money, the dish is eaten during festivals such as Chinese New Year to signify wealth and prosperity. What could it mean? Lots of clear days and smooth sailing for Abacus.Hakka stir-fried taro dumplings Abacus seedsĪbacus seeds ( Chinese: 算盘子 or abacus beads is a Hakka Chinese dish consisting of dimpled, disc-shaped dumplings made with taro and tapioca flour. We were so busy admiring the presentation that we missed the moment when our 2-year-old apparently swallowed the fortune in his cookie. But by the time the kitchen dresses up the plate with a melon slice and a chocolate-dipped fortune cookie, even the mundane takes on a different taste. It was a dinner I could dive into again and again.ĭesserts are limited to chocolate, vanilla and strawberry ice cream or sherbet ($1 a plate). ![]() A side order of cucumber salad was a pleasing accompaniment. ![]() I was rewarded with a huge plate containing two large, batter-fried crabs in a flavorful brown ginger sauce. Soft shell crabs are among my favorite foods, so I was eager to try a new presentation. Piled into a homemade potato nest, the seafood was blended with crisp snow peas and broccoli as well as zucchini, baby corn, mushrooms and water chestnuts. My husband ordered the Neptune’s Catch in Bird’s Nest ($13.25) and received a delightful assortment of stir-fried shrimp, lobster meat (an entire claw and half a tail) and scallops in a light garlic sauce. Only the water chestnuts were left behind. The children split an order of Jade Shrimp ($9.50) and had as much fun dividing the large portion of shrimp, baby corn, broccoli, snow peas and carrots as they did eating it. Order Fried Rice Abacus Style ($6.50) and you’ll have a top-of-the-line version that is filled with bits of pork and chicken as well as whole shrimp, snow peas, baby corn, fresh mushrooms, water chestnuts and bean sprouts. They were accompanied by a soy, garlic and ginger dipping sauce. The deep-fried chicken dumplings were crisp and meaty, again delivering the promised curry flavor. Ruby said, “We’ve learned our customers don’t like highly-spiced foods so we’ve toned down the heat.” My generous mound of egg noodles with sesame dressing was described as “hot” so I nibbled gingerly at first and felt a little silly because the dish really was rather mild. The skins shattered when bitten.Ĭhilled pasta with chicken in spicy sesame sauce ($4.25) and curry chicken dumplings (eight for $3.75) were our appetizer choices. I selected the wonton soup with a single, plump dumpling filled with enough pork to deliver some real flavor.įor appetizers, we ordered two ample spring rolls for the children ($1.20 each). The cuisine at Abacus is refreshingly different.īecause I ordered the soft shell crab special ($14.95), I was entitled to soup, vegetable, fried rice and sliced fruit. Once Joe has taken the order, waiters deliver foods made with only the freshest of herbs, spices and vegetables, as well as top-quality fish, seafood and poultry. If you like soft shell crabs, you do want to order them!) He’ll also advise, “If you’ve never had soft shell crabs, you don’t want to order the special tonight.” (But take my word for it. How about Chinese pizza, eggplant with garlic sauce, shrimp with fresh basil in pepper sauce or beef Abacus style (with zucchini, corn, lotus roots and straw mushrooms in hot pepper sauce)? He wants guests to try something other than traditional American-Chinese foods. ![]() Joe Chen writes up all customer orders, after delivering quite a briefing. The menu spans the regions of China but specializes in Hunan and Szechuan cuisines.
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