Every week, I document another dish that impressed and satiated me during my food adventures around New York City
The vegetarian movement is spreading into all cuisines here in New York. It’s actually getting quite exciting. Who would have thought that there might be a vegetarian Szechuan restaurant in the city? But Spicy Moon now exists on a side street in the East Village.
Szechuan cuisine is most notable for its use of pork and beef. Even the two dishes that seem like they may be geared towards vegetarians – Dan Dan Noodles and Mapo Tofu – have minced bits of pork thrown in.
So how could the new Spicy Moon create those dishes and others without this seemingly important ingredient?
The menu is pretty interesting although most of the meat is substituted with alternative meat options like Beyond Beef. I tried this plant-based product in the dan dan noodles and it truly emulated like the real thing. The sauce is quite strong to begin with so it came down to mostly texture and it worked.
But what impressed me more was a dish that didn’t use any fake meat products. It just took a vegetable we know and (some of us) love and gave it a Szechuan spin.
Fried brussels sprouts can convert even the unlikeliest vegetable eater. The leaves are crisp and oily and the brussels flavor is muted.
This was even better because it was tossed with enough Szechuan peppercorns to give it that signature malá (spicy and numbing) experience. Lemon and bell peppers help with acidity and a touch of sweet earthiness. The bowl had that enjoyable spicy quality that makes you just keep on eating until there’s nothing left. That’s one way to get you to eat your veggies. Price: $7.95
| SPICY MOON |
| 328 East 5th Street (between First and Second Avenue), East Village (646) 429-8471 |
| spicymoonnyc.com |
