NYC Food Debate: Should Old-School Guo Bao Rou Use Orange Juice? 🍊🥢

The closure of Liaoning Restaurant in Manhattan left me feeling a bit lost. It was my go-to spot for Dongbei cuisine—a place that had been with me from my student days all the way into my career. 🎓🍲 One day, my friend Xue mentioned how much she missed Dongbei food. I sighed, "But Liaoning Restaurant is gone—where can we go now?" "Flushing still has one!" she reminded me. That sparked a memory—a visit almost a decade ago, braving a snowstorm to eat there. I couldn’t recall the taste, but I figured, "If it’s the same spot, the flavors might be similar." So we made the trip. Then I overheard a server telling another table: "Our old-style Guo Bao Rou uses sugar, vinegar, and orange juice. The new style uses ketchup." That caught my attention. I remembered the Manhattan location using ketchup in their old-style version. Why the difference? 🤔 🍊 Old-Style Guo Bao Rou Less vinegar, with a noticeable sweetness from orange juice. I’d never tried this version before—it was tasty, but the frying was uneven. Some pieces were perfectly crispy, others overcooked and tough. The sauce coating was inconsistent too. 🌶️ Stir-Fried Green Peppers with Tofu Skins No smoky flavor (likely not made with brine tofu), but plenty of garlic—fried until fragrant. I loved it! 🍗 Spiced Chicken Skeleton Generously seasoned with cumin and chili powder. Tender, though some thicker parts weren’t fully infused with flavor. 🥘 Yi Guo Chu (One-Pot Dish) Savory and well-spiced. The green beans and potatoes were soft and soaked in broth, but the ribs were a bit dry and bland. 🍖 Soy-Braised Pork Bones Four large bones, but not much meat. The braising time felt too short—the meat wasn’t fall-off-the-bone tender, though the surface was richly spiced. 🏡 Vibe & Service A humble family-run spot. The staff were busy but warm. Five dishes plus tip came to just $100—great value! But the flavors didn’t match my memories of the Manhattan location. Still, the place was filled with Dongbei locals and regulars, so maybe it’s just me? So…should old-school Guo Bao Rou include orange juice? 🧡 #LiaoningRestaurant #DongbeiCuisine #NYCChineseFood #ComfortEats #FoodDebate