In today’s installment of “What Did Spencer Eat For Lunch?” I checked out the new Chinese restaurant Tasty Corner next to PSU (624 SW Hall St). It’s nice to have another option for Chinese food in Portland proper. This is very much an old-school joint: large portions, cheap prices, a cup of either hot and sour or egg drop soup on your way in, a fortune cookie on your way out. Nothing fancy, no fusion. I love places like this, and from what I had today the quality was one step up from what you would normally expect out of a place like this with prices like these. They have a large menu, so lots of classics to try out and they seemed to be doing a pretty brisk take out business. It seems like a great location with all the PSU students and faculty, and I even crossed the bridge for it!

I got the Ma Po Tofu with Ground Pork dish. Growing up vegetarian, there was a place in my town that served a good vegetarian Ma Po, so it’s got a special place in my heart. I believe traditionally it is served with ground meat, either beef or pork. Their version was good, and had a low-simmering but steady heat factor. Big portions, I feel like I got a whole block’s worth of tofu in there. Basically tofu set in a sauce of chili oil, fermented bean paste and ground pork, with some veggies and aromatics thrown in. Super tasty. Not usually served with rice, but it was welcome to sop up all the good sauce. My only wish is that I could have split a second dish with someone else to try another thing. It was good enough that I will add it to my roster of regular haunts though. Happy eating!