Shown is the Manchurian Shrimp from Alings Chinese Bistro in Sugar Land. (Photo by Stefan Modrich)
Shown is the Manchurian Shrimp from Alings Chinese Bistro in Sugar Land. (Photo by Stefan Modrich)
I was excited at the prospect of trying Alings Chinese Bistro in Sugar Land, so I did my homework. Before visiting, I read about the origins and history of Hakka cuisine, which is widespread in Asia and found in countries like Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and even India.
Alings is not a fusion restaurant in the contemporary sense. Indian Chinese food has been around for hundreds of years, and so while dishes like Bombay Basil Chicken, Chili Paneer, Chili Gobi and Singapore noodles have evolved considerably over time, they aren’t experimented in some radical or novel sense as some fusion restaurants are.
This fusion is much more organic, and one that has developed because of the close proximity of the two nations and their shared cultural appreciation for spice and adding flavors with a purpose.
Hakka cuisine is notable for its preserved meats and vegetables, such as minced or braised pork. Traditionally, those meats are cooked in such a way that they maintain a balance of flavor and a tender texture.
Ironically, the subgenre of Indo-Chinese fusion that is perhaps most culturally resonant around the world hails from some one of its most geographically remote regions: Manchuria.
While I didn’t find any pork or anything that seemed definitively of the Hakka tradition on the menu (and my first choice, the chili pepper scallops, were sold out) I did find the Manchurian Shrimp ($17.95) an acceptable substitute.
At Aling’s, as is customary with Manchurian cuisine, your protein is served either dry or with gravy. Onion, bell peppers, soy sauce, chili sauce, minced garlic and ground pepper make up the seasoning for fish, chicken, shrimp or beef.
I ordered mine with gravy, which was more like a spicy broth, and a heaping bowl of rice.
Nothing on the menu at Aling’s is cheap, and for what I ordered, it was a bit pricey.
Quantitatively, though, I had plenty of rice and shrimp to take home at the end of the night. Rare though it is for me to order enough to have leftovers, I give Aling’s credit where it is due: my food tasted just as good the next day.
Address: 6542 Highway 90 ALT, Sugar Land
Dining Options: Dine-in, curbside pickup, delivery via Caviar or DoorDash
Hours: noon-9:30 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (lunch) and 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. (dinner) Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (lunch) and 5:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Healthy options: Sautéed garden fresh green beans ($13.95)
Star of the show: Manchurian Shrimp
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