
Moo Shu Pork (木须肉)
木须肉 · mù xū ròu
Moo shu pork has two lives. In China it's a humble northern stir-fry — pork, eggs, black wood ear, cucumber — where the 'mu xu' comes from eggs scrambled to look like osmanthus blossoms. In America it became a pancake-wrapped classic with hoisin. This recipe honors the Chinese original: quick, colorful, and done in one wok.
Recipe author: HǎoWèi Test Kitchen
Home-cooking research team
Reviewed by HǎoWèi editorial team · Last updated 2026-08-29
Ingredients
- pork loin or belly, thinly sliced猪里脊或五花肉🛒 local200 g
- eggs鸡蛋🛒 local3 large
- dried black wood ear mushrooms干木耳🏮 asian15 g
- cucumber, sliced on diagonal黄瓜片🛒 local1/2 (about 100 g)
- carrot, thinly sliced胡萝卜片🛒 local1/2 (about 60 g)
- scallions, cut into 4 cm sections葱段🛒 local2 stalks
- ginger, minced姜末🛒 local1 tsp
- light soy sauce生抽🏮 asian1 tbsp
- oyster sauce蚝油🏮 asian1 tbsp
- sesame oil香油🏮 asian1 tsp
- neutral oil食用油🛒 local3 tbsp
pork loin or belly, thinly sliced: Thin slices, not shreds — they should be bite-size pieces.
dried black wood ear mushrooms: Soak 20 minutes until soft, then tear into bite pieces. They should crunch.
🌶️ Adjust to your taste
Pick a level and we'll show exactly how much to change — no more "适量".
Spice level
Saltiness
Oiliness
Make it vegetarian
Instructions
1Prep everything before you start: soaked and torn wood ear, sliced pork, cucumber, carrot, beaten eggs, and sauce (soy + oyster + 2 tbsp water) mixed.
备料
🔍 Look forVisual: 所有食材切好分装,触手可及Every ingredient is cut, separated, and within reach
You know it's right when: 碗汁没有结块The sauce bowl has no lumps
2Heat 2 tbsp oil in a wok over medium-high. Pour in the eggs and scramble until just set. Remove to a plate.
先炒蛋
🔍 Look for Medium-high 45 秒 · 45 secondsVisual: 鸡蛋是柔软油亮的蛋块——没有炒黄Eggs are soft, glossy curds — not browned
You know it's right when: 没有生蛋液,蛋块依然湿润No raw liquid, curds still moist
3Add remaining 1 tbsp oil. Add pork and stir-fry until it turns opaque and lightly golden, about 2 minutes.
炒肉片
🔍 Look for Medium-high 2 分钟 · 2 minutesVisual: 肉片从粉色变浅金,边缘上色Pork turns from pink to pale golden at the edges
You know it's right when: 没有粉色残留No pink remains
4Add ginger and scallion whites. Stir 20 seconds, then add wood ear, carrot, and cucumber. Stir-fry 1 minute until the vegetables are glossy and bright.
下蔬菜
🔍 Look for High heat 1 分钟 · 1 minuteVisual: 蔬菜油亮;黄瓜依然脆,胡萝卜橙亮Vegetables are glossy; cucumber still crisp, carrot bright orange
You know it's right when: 木耳咬下去会“啵”一声——依然脆Wood ear 'pops' when bitten — still crunchy
5Return the eggs. Pour in the sauce and toss everything over high heat 30 seconds until coated and glossy.
回锅裹汁
🔍 Look for High heat 30 秒 · 30 secondsVisual: 所有食材裹上一层薄亮酱汁Everything is coated in a thin glossy sauce
You know it's right when: 酱汁挂在食材上,没有积汁Sauce clings, no pooling
6Off heat, drizzle sesame oil and toss once. Serve over steamed rice.
淋香油出锅
🔍 Look forVisual: 菜色油亮,带一层隐约的香油光泽Dish is glossy with a subtle sesame sheen
You know it's right when: 有香油香但不冲Sesame aroma, not overpowering
Tips
- · Mise en place is non-negotiable — this dish cooks in under 4 minutes once the wok is hot.
- · Don't overcook the cucumber; it should keep its crunch.
- · Wood ear must be soaked until fully soft, then it's the best texture in the dish.
- · Serve over rice, or get fancy and wrap it in pancakes like American-Chinese restaurants.
Sources & references
Quantities, technique notes, and substitution ratios are cross-checked against established Chinese cookery references and standard food-science sources.
- Read our editorial policy
- Fuchsia Dunlop, Land of Plenty: A Treasury of Authentic Sichuan Cooking
- USDA FoodData Central — ingredient nutrition and portion data
- Traditional Chinese family-kitchen practice and regional taste records
Common questions
Is there a vegan substitute for oyster sauce?
Yes — 'mushroom oyster sauce' (often labeled vegetarian/vegan) is sold in most Asian grocers and increasingly in mainstream supermarkets. It behaves 1:1 and adds the same glossy umami. Watch labels if you're also gluten-free; most brands are GF, some aren't.
Source: HǎoWèi substitution engine
What's the difference between light and dark soy sauce?
Light soy (生抽) is the everyday salty seasoning — thin and salty, used in most recipes. Dark soy (老抽) is thicker, darker, slightly sweet, and used mostly for color (braises, fried rice). If you only buy one, get light soy. For dark soy's color: 1 tbsp light soy + a pinch of sugar + a few drops of molasses.
Source: HǎoWèi pantry guide
Why do you cook the aromatics (garlic/ginger) first on low heat?
Aromatics contain oils and sugars that turn bitter if scorched. Gentle heat (low-medium) lets garlic and ginger release their fragrance without browning too fast. If the pan is too hot, garlic goes bitter within seconds — that's why we always add aromatics first, before the main ingredients.
Source: Chinese Cooking Demystified technique library
Ingredient swaps
Can't find an Asian-market staple? Use these.
Swap: light soy sauce
→ regular soy sauce
Ratio: 1:1 · Slightly saltier — dial salt back by a pinch.
Swap: oyster sauce
→ hoisin + ½ tsp fish sauce (or soy)
Ratio: 1:1 · Sweeter and thicker; thin with a little water.
Swap: sesame oil
→ toasted sesame oil (same thing!)
Ratio: 1:1 · Check the label: use toasted (dark), not raw.
Don't make these mistakes
The traps every home cook hits — and how to avoid them.
✗ Crowding the pan — ingredients steam instead of sear.
✓ Fix: Cook in batches; give each piece room to brown.
✗ Adding sauce too early — the wok cools and flavors dull.
✓ Fix: Push food up the wok wall, add sauce to the hot center, toss fast.
Ways to change it up
One dish, three moods.
- Use ground pork for a quicker, softer texture
- Add a handful of cabbage for bulk and sweetness
- Skip the meat for a vegetarian version with extra tofu
🥢 Ask HǎoWèi
Questions about technique, ingredients, substitutions, and flavor — answered from our verified cooking knowledge base.
What to serve with it
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