Wusong Road: A Second Impression

My first visit to Wusong Road, which had been a positive experience, was back in 2022, but I hadn't returned to Harvard Square until recently. On a Friday in February, I visited Harvard Square, checking out the various shops, and I decided to return to Wusong Road for lunch.

Back in 2022, their website stated: "Overall Wusong Road is a Tiki bar where we match old school American Chinese restaurant affordability, plush midcentury modern comfortability and top it off with a splash of rum and good old fashioned hospitality." The website continued, "Wusong Road is not intended to be a ‘political’ or ‘social’ commentary on Tiki culture. Instead, Wusong Road is a celebration on the Asian American restaurant experience that is so engrained in our history and culture."

After three years, some changes were expected, such as alterations to the menu items and higher prices. Other matters haven't changed much, if at all, such as the fun decor. For lunch, you climb the stairs to a dining room on the second floor, where a lengthy bar is also located. It didn't take long for the dining room to get full, so it's obvious the restaurant is popular. 

I began lunch with a Mai Tai ($15, the same price as many of their Tiki cocktails), made with Appleton Estate Rum, Hamilton Rum, Clement Agricole Rhum, Orgeat, Lime, and Orange Curacao. It was delicious, with a noticeable amount of alcohol, although it wasn't overpowering. Certainly a much higher quality than the Mai Tais you get at most Asian spots. 

From Monday to Thursday, from 11:30am- 5pm, you can order a customized Luncheon Pupu (for a single person) for $17. You choose any 3 options, from a list of 20 options, and you also receive a "small seasonal sweet treat." Some of the options include 4 types of fried rice, 3 different Bao, 3 different Summer Rolls; New England Chicken Fingers, and DanDan Noodles. You can also order the Luncheon Pupu with a drink for a special price: Tanuki Tiki Highball ($24), Mai Tai ($25), or Alcohol Free Mai Tai ($24). Thus, you would only pay an extra $8 for a Mai Tai with the Luncheon Pupu.  

However, as it was a Friday, the Luncheon Pupu was not available. So we decided to order their regular Wusong Pupu Platter ($50 for 2 people, $95 for 4 people). The platter includes Teriyaki Steak Tips, Roasted Char Siu Pork Strips, Grilled Street Corn Rangoons, Scallion Pancake Quesadilla with Aguachile, Pan Fried Shanghai Style Dumplings, and Firecracker Shrimp. However, they added Spring Rolls to our platter alsthough they are not listed on the menu as included. I'll note they also sell a Vegetarian Pupu Platter. 

Overall, the food was delicious, fresh and well-made. I think there was plenty of food for two people. This was not the usual pupu platter you find at most Chinese restaurants, with some intriguing variations  on traditional items. 

On the left were Firecracker Shrimp, crispy Gulf shrimp with a Sambal Olek Aioli, a slightly spicy and tasty sauce. On the right were Teriyaki Steak Tips and Roasted Char Siu Pork Strips, both meats being tender and flavorful. The pork strips were more pork chunks, with a nice crispiness from the sauce, not the flat strips you find in other pupu platters. 

On the left, were plump Pan Fried Shanghai Style Dumplings, with a firm and chewy dumpling skin and plentiful of flavorful pork, spices and veggies inside. On the right were the crispy Spring Rolls, with a delicious blend of veggies and spices. Both items were definitely better than the usual dumplings and spring rolls you find at many places.

On the left are the Grilled Street Corn Rangoons, which my dining companion very much enjoyed. I'm not a cream cheese fan so generally dislike rangoons, but the addition of the corn was a nice variation. On the right was the Scallion Pancake Quesadilla with a Queso Oaxaca and Thai Bird Aguachile. The crispy pancakes were filled with lots of melted cheese and a touch of heat from the aguchile. A fun variation of a Mexican dish.

My second visit to Wusong Road was again an impressive visit. The food and drinks are elevated, not what you find at the average Chinese restaurant, and the taste and quality warrant their higher prices. Tiki should be fun, and that fun extends to the kitchen and their playful variations on a number of dishes. I will return again, and hopefully won't wait three years again between my visits.