Curry and Cupcakes Make for an Excellent Lunch at Mosa

Curry and Cupcakes Make for an Excellent Lunch at Mosa

On Friday, Intern Raquel and I joined the legions of East Memphis office workers who swear by Mosa's quick and inexpensive Asian lunches at the diner's White Station location.

Kerry: I've been to Mosa a few times, so I skipped the menu and ordered basil rolls and the Rainbow Panang Curry from the new specials board.

The basil rolls ($4 for two) came out first. They're basically fresh vegetarian spring rolls stuffed with rice noodles, carrots, cucumbers, bean sprouts and fresh basil leaves. Because they're uncooked, the sharp, almost minty basil is the first thing you taste. They come with peanut and sweet chili sauces for dipping.

Basil rolls, Mosa, Memphis, Tenn.

My Rainbow Panang Curry was definitely colorful, though it was mostly one deep orange color. The dish had pieces of battered and fried chicken, baby corn, zucchini, mushrooms, tomatoes and snow peas coated in sweetly spicy curry. Maybe it's because I have hot wings on the brain, but the medium spicy curry reminded me a little bit of honey hot wing sauce. The curry (like most of Mosa's dishes) can be ordered mild, medium or spicy, but I recommend ordering the Rainbow Panang Curry medium, or it'll be all sweetness and no kick.

Rainbow Panang Curry, Mosa, Memphis, Tenn.

Raquel: I ordered the medium Red Asian Curry with vegetables and white rice. I really enjoyed the curry, the veggies (potatoes, onions, broccoli and red peppers) were just spicy enough and the rice was a nice pairing. The service was timely and friendly and the owner, Michelle, treated Kerry and I each to a cupcake, made fresh in their bakery by her mother.  Mosa has officially been added to my list of places for lunch dates when I’m craving spicier dishes.

Kerry: Speaking of those cupcakes - I wouldn't think of ordering cupcakes from an Asian restaurant, but these are pretty tasty. Michelle brought us a chocolate cupcake and a strawberry cupcake, but thet offer different flavors every day. We took them to go, and I'm not too proud to admit that mine was gone before I was halfway home.

Both Mosa locations (at Poplar and White Station and Poplar and Kirby) are open daily for lunch and dinner. They do have a kids' menu, and most dishes can be made vegetarian.

Go there:

Mosa Asian Bistro

850 South White Station Road
Memphis, TN 38117-5703
(901) 683-8889

or

1825 Kirby Parkway
Memphis, TN 38138-3608
(901) 755-6755

 

Mosa Asian Bistro  on Urbanspoon

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Katie
Last time I was there they said they were working on vegan cupcakes. Make it happen, Mosa! There is not one restaurant in town where a vegan can have dinner and then order dessert (unless it's sorbet which totally doesn't count). Vegan cupcakes would make them the first! Someone please prove me wrong...I would love to be wrong about this. Also, I love Mosa. :)
January 30, 2012 3:35pm
Kerry (Admin)
You can get vegan dinner and dessert at Imagine Vegan Cafe in Cooper-Young.
January 30, 2012 4:06pm
Sandra Phelps
I eat at Mosa's often and I'm never disappointed. They have a good thing going on in there. The food is always fresh. They can't make it too spicey or hot for me. I usually ask for hot mustard on the side and make it hotter. The hot and sour soup is very tasty!
January 30, 2012 5:42pm
Grant Parish
Mosa is one of my favorite lunch stops. I love that it is owned by a local family invested in the community and the food is great. I lived in Portland for years where there is a large Asian community. The Pad Thai at Mosa is as good as anything I had in Portland. Also a big fan of the yellow Thai Curry.  
January 30, 2012 6:42pm
Kyle
The Hot and Sour Soup is amazing and probably my only true comfort food. That Being Said - Mosa is one the best lunch/dinner spots in memphis
January 31, 2012 11:05am