Delicious and Healthy Food at Oriental Pearl Restaurant

Savory dishes that are not only delicious but enticing to the soul, exist daily at Oriental Pearl Restaurant which is located in Boothwyn, Pa. Appetizers such as Oriental Pearl Wings, Vietnamese Spring Rolls, Japanese Dumplings and Grilled Ground Shrimp Rolls can be obtained for about $5. Lotus Shrimp & Pork Salads, Papaya, and Mango Salads are also available. Chef's Specials titillate your sense of smell such as Bo Luc Lac, a Vietnamese steak salad served on a bed of greens and tomatoes, topped with pickled onions and a lime dipping sauce. Palatable dishes based on cultures from around the world are featured. It is the perfect location for family dining at affordable prices and healthy eating.

Ben Lee is very youthful in appearance, owner and operator of Oriental Pearl Restaurant. His family has two other restaurants in New Jersey, which is run by his father-in-law and wife named Lillie. Ben describes #Vietnamese food as, "eating fresh garden vegetables." He explained how 50 pounds of beef bones are used to create the broth for the #Pho' and Hu Tieu Noodle Soups. Such ingredients as ginger, scallions, basil, and other seasonings are added. "After the soup comes to a boil, it is brought to the customer's table where meats are added such as shrimps, scallops, pork or beef. Separate sides are also included such as stuff like fresh mint, bean sprouts, jalapeno peppers, limes, and chives. Vietnamese cooking is not saucy like Chinese food which uses soy and fish sauces," said Lee. With a boyish grin, he also admitted that "Authentic Vietnamese food consist of little grease or fat. That is one of the reasons you do not see a lot of overweight Vietnamese people." Most people in his country are generally very thin in weight.

Ben's Previous Life in Vietnam

Although Ben, left Vietnam at nine years old and is now thirty-nine, he could recall very little meat was included in their dishes. Ben mentioned how his mom would sometimes bring home a few little pieces of pork which had to feed their entire family. Fresh vegetable such as lettuce and water crest, straight out of the garden were a major part of their diets. His family also worked hard on the farm after eating large meals. This also kept their weight down. Ben went on to explain how the majority of homes in Vietnam are on farms that are surrounded by rice fields and coconut trees. Little streams of water exist in the midst of these homes that contain #fish, utilized to feed the family as well. Ben humbly explained that when he grew up in Vietnam; the majority of his people were poor but determined to change their lives through the educational process. He smiled and admitted that his country is presently at peace although, for years, other countries tried to overtake their land due to its prime location which stimulated business and the economy.

The Menu at Oriental Pearl

Within the Vietnamese Corner of Oriental Pearl's menu, Pho' Noodle Soup can consist of a tender lean cut of beef. "The steak or brisket will be slightly cooked by the boiling broth to the perfect 'medium' by the time the order reaches your table." Pho' Tai, Nam, Gan is prepared with rare steak, well done and tendon. These scrumptious #dishes can also include rice noodle soup, with tender cuts of chicken, beef balls or shrimp. Different variations of Pho' Noodle Soup can be purchased between $7 and $8.

My family's favorite dishes at Oriental Pearl are the Hu Tieu - Noodle Soups. That is why I gave this dish a five out of five in ratings as illustrated at the top of this article. The Hu Tieu Do Bien is a succulent mixture of rice noodles with seafood and a mixture of fresh vegetables. When we recently returned on a Sunday for the specials, my husband Walker, thoroughly enjoyed the Grilled Sampler, which included grilled shrimp, juicy slices of pork, beef, and chicken with mixed vegetables and seasonings. All he could say is, "It was outstanding! The variety of meats and vegetables were grilled to perfection." I decided to try the Crispy Cornish Hen. The yummy crispy skin with a mild meltable sauce cooked within the hen, caused me to consume every morsel. I will definitely return for this special again.

Other features on the menu are Bun - Rice Vermicelli, which can be prepared with chicken, pork, beef or seafood. This includes opulent vermicelli, grilled or #barbeque meats with a mixture of spring rolls, shrimp wraps or shrimp paste wrapped in bean curd skin. The Com Tam - Broken Rice is another sappy dish with such things as barbeque pork chops, shredded pork and egg quiche. This delicious broken rice dish can also be combined with chicken and different kinds of seafood as well. Both of these dishes range between $7 and $8 for an outstanding meal. There is also a Thai Corner on the menu with tasty dishes such as Curried Seafood, Thai Stir-Fried Crispy Tofu, Bangkok Duck and Basil Scallop & Shrimp. These dishes range in the prices of $10 to 16. Lunch Specials are served from Monday through Saturday, 11:30 am until 3:00 pm. On Sunday from 12 noon until 3:00 pm. Such specials as Vermicelli with grilled chicken, beef, pork or shrimp range from $7 to $8 as well. There are also #Tempura & Teriyaki Lunch specials served with soup and choice of steamed rice or fried rice. These palatable dishes can include Shrimp Tempura, Vegetable Tempura or Salmon Teriyaki, at a price of $10.95. Deserts such as Coconut Banana Ice Cream and Flan which is an egg custard with caramel sauce is priced between $3 to $6.

My family and I also had the pleasure of meeting Ben Lee's brother Huy, who is a physician in Delaware. He has his own private practice and office not too far from Christiana Hospital. Huy also has an adorable son named Dillan, who was named after the great Bob Dillan. Huy described how his son Dillan is now nineteen months but during infancy, music was a source of pure enjoyment. He is very supportive of his younger brother Ben, as the owner of the Oriental Pearl Restaurant. Huy described how people come from areas such as Newark, Delaware, Avalon and Kennet Square, Pennsylvania to eat at his brother's restaurant. There are not many authentic Vietnamese restaurants in the area except in #Philadelphia and lower Delaware. In the near future, Huy hopes that Ben will bring sushi back but he understands why it was eliminated from the menu because of expense and that it can easily go bad. He also hopes to see different fresh juices which are part of their culture, be introduced during the summer months.

For the past month, millions of individuals including myself, have been involved in tremendous spiritual activity. We have been spreading the message about The Lord's Evening Meal or Anniversary of Jesus' Death, which was celebrated on Tuesday, March 26, 2013. A special talk was also given about the importance and value of Jesus' sacrifice on that Sunday, April 7th, 2013 at all local Kingdom Hall. People have been invited throughout the world regardless of their religious beliefs. After all that hard work, It was so refreshing to find such healthy and delicious physical food for our family and friends at Oriental Pearl. My youngest daughter Jaleesa introduced me to Tracey and Cruvy, who served as waitresses along with the Chef of Oriental Pearl Restaurant. Ben and Huy even taught me how to say, "very delicious" in Vietnamese. They explained that it was the words, "ngon qua" although in their language it is backward which is "ngon" that means "delicious" and "qua" which is translated to express the word "very." Everyone who has eaten at Oriental Pearl, express their tasteful adventure in similar words. We all look forward to eating more exciting and scrumptious dishes at Oriental Pearl in the future. This authentic #Vietnamese & Thai Food Restaurant is the talk of the town. You and your family can dine in or do take out. Party trays and catering is available as well as gift certificates. Oriental Pearl is open six days a week. They are closed on Monday. Tuesday through Thursday, 11:30 am - 9:30 pm. Friday and Saturday, from 11:30 am - 10:30 pm, Sunday 12 noon - 9:00 pm. Oriental Pearl is located at 3601 Chichester Avenue, Boothwyn, Pa 19061. If you desire wine with your dinner please, BYOB. A quiet setting with easy listening music will be provided for you and your guest if you decide to eat in. All major credit cards are accepted. If you are looking for a restaurant that serves fresh vegetables, fresh delectable meats with outstanding healthy soups that also taste delicious; then Oriental Pearl Restaurant should be considered by you, your family and friends.