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Moo Shu Pork (木须肉) — Shandong recipe hero image
ShandongEasy 25 min serves 3

Moo Shu Pork (木须肉)

木须肉 · mù xū ròu

家庭快手版 · Home version: The Chinese original is a quick stir-fry of pork, egg, wood ear, and cucumber — the 'mu xu' (moo shu) name comes from the scrambled egg resembling osmanthus flowers. The American-Chinese version wraps it in pancakes; the home version is simply served over rice.

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.

H

Recipe author: HǎoWèi Test Kitchen

Home-cooking research team

Reviewed by HǎoWèi editorial team · Last updated 2026-08-29

More pork recipesMore egg recipesQuick & Easy

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

  1. 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 for

    Visual: 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

  2. 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 seconds

    Visual: 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

  3. 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 minutes

    Visual: 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

  4. 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 minute

    Visual: 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

  5. 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 seconds

    Visual: 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

  6. 6Off heat, drizzle sesame oil and toss once. Serve over steamed rice.

    淋香油出锅

    🔍 Look for

    Visual: 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.

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.

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