Wah May has been slinging chow mein and other old school Chinese goodies since 1961 from what looks…read morelike a former residence. Surprisingly, no bar. Unsurprisingly, plenty of combination plates.
Chow Mein Sandwich: They have several choices for this regional specialty, which can also be had as a chop suey sandwich. Proteins include chicken, beef, mushroom, pork strip, and even shrimp or scallop. I went with chicken. What arrived was a humongous assemblage of thick-cut celery, tender chicken strips, and onions, with crunchy flat noodles interspersed and a thin, dark brown gravy (neither sweet nor salty) underneath. The bun was basically a garnish, so this demanded fork and knife eating. I think of it as a crunchier Chinese version of a hot turkey sandwich, with the bun the least important element but what makes it unique. As chow mein, good flavor and good texture, coming in well above average to near-elite.
Shrimp and Lobster Sauce (on a combo): Five shrimp, ever so slightly overdone but serviceable, buried in a faintly sweet sauce with a more potent dark black bean base, with a few swirls of egg white. Scallions on top were more than a garnish, providing a savory counterpoint to the sweetness. Well above average.
Egg Roll (on the combo): I have to admit, there are times I'm not fully certain on whether an egg roll filling is celery, cabbage, or a mix. This was NOT one of those times. The celery brigade can rejoice, as this one goes well past "celery forward" and onto "celery in your face," and I'm talking more in your face than an Elaine Benes Christmas card. Dark green, thick chunks, all with some crunch, and fully loaded. Baby shrimp and pork can also be found lurking, but this is all about the dominant celery. The wrapper brought a bit of greasiness (though within tolerance) but a strong, pleasant flavor as well. This unique egg roll bordering on subgum-in-a-shell is an absolute must-try, and I liked it to an extent, but wouldn't want it regularly. It's an acquired taste, so it's tough to score: overall, probably average, but a really fascinating average.
Pork Fried Rice: A little dry in spots but dark of color with flavor to match and an acceptable amount of pork, onion, and bean sprouts. Above average.
Very enjoyable meal, good food, different food, and a place I'm eager to revisit.
Fairhaven is just over the bridge from New Bedford and boasts some stunning works of architecture in its town hall, Millicent Library, and Unitarian Memorial Church, all right around the corner from Wah May and not to be missed if you're into beautiful historical buildings.
