What to eat When you’re eating out.

by Susan White, registered dietitian

Wok in the Park offers Asian fusion cuisine with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and inventive, in-house preparation. One way to eat healthfully when eating out is to look for menu options with lots of color — that means you’re likely to have ample servings of diverse vegetables and fruits. Wok in the Park offers many options for color- ful meals, starting with its Green Papaya Salad with papaya, tomato, cucumber and bean sprouts (though the seasoning may be too spicy for some). For an entree, consider the Western Bamboo, a chicken stir-fry with asparagus, mushrooms, baby corn, carrots and onion. Order brown rice with your stir-fry instead of white rice to enhance nutritional value. For those with special dietary needs, Wok in the Park offers a variety of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. 

Susan White is a registered dietitian with the Minneapolis Heart Institute®’s Preventive Cardiology Clinic. To learn more about a heart-healthy diet, call 612-775-3074.

*Allina Health did not receive any payment, goods or services related to this article. This article is intended to be informational

Please contact Colton Ray at Google+ for Wok in the Park blog information, updates and stories.

What makes a good Chinese restaurant?

I suppose this could be a heated debate for some, but we wanted to share our thoughts on what makes a good Chinese restaurant.

Most Chinese restaurants fall into 4 categories...

 

1. Americanized Chinese: This type of Chinese restaurant is most recognizable by entrées like General Tso's chicken,Sweet and Sour chicken and Chop Suey. Usually the spice level at Americanized Chinese Restaurants is little to none.

 

Wok in the Park Chinatown Sesame chicken.

2. Cantonese: This type of Chinese restaurant is most recognizable by entrées like Curry chicken, Dim Sum and Shark Fin soup. The spice level in most Cantonese Restaurants has some spice, but not overpowering.

 

Wok in the Park Rainbow Trout.

3. Szechuan: This type of Chinese restaurant is most recognizable by entrées like Kung Pao chicken, Ma Po tofu and Eggplant in Garlic sauce. Usually Szechuan Restaurants have a LOT of spice.

 

Wok in the Park Sassy Basil.

4. Shanghai: This type of Chinese restaurant is most recognizable by entrées like Soup dumplings, Drunken chicken andUdon Noodle Soup. Most Shanghai Style restaurants do not use too much spice.

 

Wok in the Park "char siu bau", made-from-scratch, fresh steamed bbq pork, or vegan bbq tofu steamed buns, with ginger-soy & spicy korean ssamjang sauces.

Wok in the Park is inspired by all of these styles of Chinese food but what sets us apart is:

1. No MSG (Monosodium Glutamate). We are very transparent about this and openly advertise it on our menu.
2. Fresh Food. All of our entrees are fresh and made to order. Because everything is fresh, we can easily accommodate Gluten free, Vegetarian and Vegan diets.
3. Weekly Unique Specials. Not just discounted menu items, but Wok in the Park is proud to offer creative and inspired cuisine from our own Chef Jacob.
4. Craft Beer. Wok in the Park offers a well rounded list of traditional and local Craft Beer, Wine and Sake.
5. Entertainment. We love music and Art. Whether it be live Jazz on Saturday nights, Creative murals from Kaz Kuroki, or the owners singing Happy Birthday in 5 part harmony (or 6 part harmony, depending on who is working).

Let us know what you think makes a good Chinese restaurant!

Please contact Colton Ray at Google+ for Wok in the Park blog information, updates and stories.

New Wok in the Park video up on youtube!

We just posted our latest youtube video. Big thanks to Jared Levine and Matthew Fishbein for the pictures and video! Enjoy!

Please contact Colton Ray at Google+ for Wok in the Park blog information, updates and stories.

Check out the CBS feature on Wok in the Park's secret menu item:

The kind folks at CBS local just discovered are now not so secret Subgum Chow Mein recipe:

CBS Local Wok in the Park Subgum Chow Mein feature

If you dont want to make this dish at home please feel free to come in and ask us to make it for you!  As always Dine in or Wok out!

Please contact Colton Ray at Google+ for Wok in the Park blog information, updates and stories.

Wok in the Park $8.99 Lunch Special

Some say Wok in the Park offers one of the best lunch specials in Minneapolis, others say its the best lunch special in Minnesota. We're just happy that everyone thinks its a great value and service for the price!  If you havent tried Wok in the Park's $8.99 lunch special be sure to visit us Monday through Friday 11:00am-3:00pm. Be ready to pick out a soup (Egg drop, Hot and sour or sub in a house ginger side salad for $1), Appetizer (Egg Roll, Summer Roll or Cheese Wontons) and a delicious entree from our menu (Odyssey not included in the lunch special, seafood additional charge). Enjoy!

Please contact Colton Ray at Google+ for Wok in the Park blog information, updates and stories.