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George[_1_]

wrote:
> Tracy > writes:
>
>
>> This is how I recall chow mein as well - vegetables (with bean
>> sprouts) over crispy noodles. I live on the east coast though and I
>> know Chinese food is way different over here.
>
> It's all different here, too. I know damn well that was the norm in
> CAs Central Valley back in the 50s. Also with the famous Frank Fat's
> in Sacramento as late as the early 70s. No more. Now, all those
> exotic veggies, including sprouts, are pricey as heck and what
> restaurant would serve them when they can foist off greasy ramen
> noodles to clueless youngsters at a tenth the cost.

Not sure sprouts could be called exotic or expensive. They currently go
for ~$0.50/lb in the produce section of a number of markets I know.

The one place they are really common is at pho restaurants. I go to a
couple different restaurants and they always bring out a big dish of
sprouts with some Thai basil and some sliced hot peppers.

> The only one I know of, now, is the Kowloon Chinese Restaurant in
> Visalia, CA. They even ask. "Pan fried or crispy noodles?" The
> "crispy" is all stir-fried sprouts and fresh veggies piled on top of a
> nest of crunchy noodles, just like when I was a kid. Yum!
>
> nb