Brown Rice versus White Rice; A Healthy Debate

In our previous blog post, we discussed some healthy Chinese options for you at Nashville's E Hur Wei.  One of the biggest diet arguments when you're eating Chinese food stems from the question:

White Rice or Brown Rice? What about Fried Rice? Just... No. You know it's GOOD, but not healthy. But everyone loves fried rice! 

What is the difference between brown and white rice? Aside from the obvious - color. A whole grain of rice has several layers. Only the outermost layer, the hull, is removed to produce what we call brown rice. This process is the least damaging to the nutritional value of the rice and avoids the unnecessary loss of nutrients that occurs with further processing (discussed below). If brown rice is further milled to remove the bran and most of the germ layer, the result is not only a whiter rice, but also a rice that has lost many more nutrients. At this point, however, the rice is still unpolished, and it takes polishing to produce the white rice we are used to seeing. Polishing removes the aleurone layer of the grain--a layer filled with health-supportive, essential fats. Because these fats, once exposed to air by the refining process, are highly susceptible to oxidation, this layer is removed to extend the shelf life of the product. The resulting white rice is simply a refined starch that has basically lost all of its original nutrients.

Fried rice is undeniably bad for you, setting you back 450 calories and 14 grams of fat. Brown rice is better, with only 215 calories and a generous 3.5 grams of fiber per cup. But even though it's trendy to avoid white rice because it's a high-glycemic carb, it's honestly not so bad.

Calorie for calorie, brown and white rice are about the same.

Brown rice is said to reduce diabetes risk while white rice has a few consequence that you may not be aware of. For example, the refining process of white rice includes loss of fiber, vitamins, magnesium and other minerals, lignans, phytoestrogens, and phytic acid, many of which may be protective factors for diabetes risk.

Eating brown rice is usually associated with a health-conscious lifestyle. However, if you're researching brown and white rice, you will find a ton of conflicting information. Some experts say that white rice is in fact healthier for you than brown rice while others swear by brown rice and it's health benefits.

Whichever you prefer, E Hur Wei can cater to your needs! We can be as health-conscious as you'd like with many healthy menu options including gluten-free! Come visit us and see why Yelp reviewers rave about our food! 7075 Memphis-Bristol Hwy.  Nashville, TN 37221 or call in a To-Go order at 615-673-1003.

Our entire menu is accessible online at www.ehurwei.net.

Tips for Healthy Eating

Chinese food sure is tasty, but if you're on a diet, you might be thinking it's not the best choice for your caloric intake. E Hur Wei is here to guide you with some dining options that ARE healthy! Who said dieting had to be bland?

Anything steamed is obviously good, as is Jum (poached), Chu (broiled), Kow (roasted), Shu (barbecued), lightly stir-fried, dry stir-fried, or braised. If you're dieting, stay away from anything breaded, fried, or coated in flour. The best stuff is never good for you!

While dieting or watching your calories, avoid thick gravy or sauces made from sugar, flour, or cornstarch (such as those found on General Tso's or Sweet and Sour Pork). They're loaded with corn syrup. Instead, try a dish made with hot mustard sauce, hoisin sauce, or oyster sauce. Another tip with your sauces - always ask for "half sauce." That way, you get half the sauce—and half the calories—of what is normally used in the dish.

Try ordering your meal from E Hur Wei cooked in vegetable stock (a traditional Chinese style of cooking called "stock velveted") to reduce the calories in your dish by 150-300 and the fat by 15-30 grams.

If you're looking at dining at a delightful Chinese restaurant in Nashville, E Hur Wei is the way to go! We offer a large menu that caters to everyone! Gluten free? No problem! Come visit us at 7075 Memphis-Bristol Hwy. Nashville, TN 37221. We offer drink specials and live music Sundays and Thursdays!

If you'd like to place a To-Go order, call 615-673-1003. We also deliver within a 5-mile radius of our restaurant!

Visit our website for some special offers and coupons; also our entire menu is viewable!

Best Chinese Specials in Nashville!

Are you looking for authentic Chinese food in the Nashville area but not sure where to go? Head on over to E Hur Wei where you will find not only excellent food and a great ambiance, but also some killer specials!

E Hur Wei's Sunday lunch special is one of my favorites! From 11am to 2pm you get 1/2 off all drinks and appetizers AND live music!

E Hur Wei's amazing ambiance! 

They offer great weekday specials too including a Wednesday night special $5 off any $25 purchase and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm 2 for 1 drinks and live music! Who doesn't love a free drink and live music in Nashville? 

If you're located within a 5-mile radius of E Hur Wei, which is located at 7075 Memphis-Bristol Hwy. Nashville, TN 37221, we now offer delivery! For the best Chinese food in Nashville, call 615-673-1003 today to make a reservation or to order carry-out or delivery! 

Be sure to check out our website for new specials and coupons! 

Authentic Chinese Food in Nashville

Are you looking for a great AUTHENTIC Chinese restaurant in Nashville? Look no further! E Hur Wei, situated in Bellevue, is DELICIOUS.

Here you'll find house made, fresh to order, authentic Chinese dishes. From popular plates like Sweet and Sour Chicken to more inaccessible cuisine and true flavors like Mu Shu Pork which is sure to excite your palette.

King Pao Chicken

We have an up-scale atmosphere while keeping affordability in mind. Another thing that differentiates us from other Chinese restaurants is that we feature live jazz music on Thursday nights and Sunday during lunch! How cool is that?

Check out our rave reviews on Yelp and come see for yourself why we are Nashville's Number 1 Chinese bistro!

We're located in the Kroger shopping center right off Highway 70 at 7075 Hwy 70 S. Nashville, TN 37209. If you'd like to call in your order, we can be reached at 615-673-1003.

Sunday-Thursday we're open from 11:00-9:00 and Friday and Saturday from 11:00-10:00. Stop by and see us! Check out our special offers and discounts here!

Gluten-Free Options

Finding safe and healthy options for eating out can be a tricky process, especially if you suffer from Celiacs disease - a condition that damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents it from absorbing parts of food that are crucial for keeping yourself healthy. While some people have no choice but to eat gluten-free food, others enjoy staying on a gluten-free diet.

While some people are concerned about the language barrier between themselves and the staff, Celiac Travel has made it easier with free restaurant cards that you can download and carry with you to give to your server which will help explain what you are looking for. For an example of a Chinese (Mandarin) restaurant card, click here for a free download. 

 If you enjoy Chinese cuisine in Nashville, but are on a gluten-free diet, E Hur Wei offers you a gluten-free menu. 

Concerned about what is safe for you to eat? Here are a couple of my go-to "safe" options that are gluten-free. Mei fun, which are thin rice noodles and Chow fun, wide rice noodles, with chicken and veggies. Just be sure to ask that your rice noodles are not cooked with soy sauce!

E Hur Wei's gluten-free menu includes delicious dishes like Buddha's Delight, Shrimp and Scallops, Grilled Salmon and Vegetables, and Tofu Hot Pots just to name a few.

Tofu Hot Pot

Whether you're looking for traditional Chinese food in Nashville or gluten-free options, E Hur Wei is the place to go! All of our authentic dishes are cooked hot and fresh to order. We are located at the corner of Old Hickory Boulevard and Highway 70 in Bellevue. 

Wednesday nights we offer $5 off any $25 or more purchase. Please visit us here for more special offers and coupons. 

Contact us at 615-673-1003 and visit us at 7075 Memphis-Bristol Hwy. Nashville, TN 37221

Three Things You Didn't Know About Chinese Food

American Chinese food, like that sold at E Hur Wei, is ubiquitous in Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Actual Chinese food (sometimes called ancient Chinese food) is very different. Here are three things you didn't know about Chinese food in China.

There are dozens of different types:

It might go without saying, but there are lots and lots of different types of Chinese food. In Nashville and in Middle Tennessee in general tends to be Cantonese-style Chinese food. However, there are at least 15 regional types of Chinese food in China, if not many, many more.

MSG is a flavor in China

MSG has a pretty bad reputation in the US, but in fact it’s a natural flavoring in China, used to produce a rich umami flavor. In fact, a similar comparison to MSG would be cinnamon in the US: just another spice on the rack, albeit on that is used frequently.

The fortune cookie is Japanese, not Chinese

Essentially unheard of in China, the fortune cookie originated in Japan, but it really hits its stride in the US. It's very rare to find one in Japan now.

There's three things you didn't know about Chinese food, and if you find yourself craving some spring rolls, then head over to E Hur Wei!
               
7075 Highway 70 S, Nashville, Tn 37221. They have great specials on so you'll get a great meal at a good price.

What’s In Chicken Teriyaki?

Chicken teriyaki (despite being Japanese) can probably be found on most Chinese food menus in most Chinese food restaurants in Nashville and Middle Tennessee. It’s become and Chinese food take-out staple, and an incredibly popular ‘Chinese’ food. But what’s actually in it? E Hur Wei, a local Chinese restaurant in Nashville, helped explain.

Teriyaki comes from Japan and refers to grilling food that’s been glazed in a sweet sauce. This sauce is what gives teriyaki flavor, and Chinese food restaurants in Middle Tennessee guard their sauce recipes extremely carefully. But at its core, teriyaki sauce is soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Mirin’s a bit like a rice-based port: a sugary liquid with a low alcohol content. In restaurants, teriyaki is usually fried over a high heat to properly glaze whatever the sauce is covering, and then sometimes finished in the oven. At home, because you’re not cooking for an entire restaurant, you have a little more leeway, and can bake the teriyaki for a less oily finish. There are dozens of teriyaki recipes out there to try yourself.

So if you’re craving some teriyaki chicken and can’t find a Chinese restaurant that has it, head over the E Hur Wei. It’s one of the best Chinese restaurants in town with great reviews and a diverse menu. It’s on 75 Hwy 70 S Nashville, 37209.