Mystery meat in a rock cod and bean curd sizzling clay pot?

Question

I didn't think to ask the waitress. I was wondering if there is a typical way to prepare this dish. I got it in Chinatown in Oakland. There were a lot of people eating there, most likely locals. So I assumed it wasn't a dive. The food was great but I just want to know what the meat was.

I'm thinking it was pork, oxtail or something else. There was only a couple of pieces in the pot. They were cut about 1-2" long and about a 1/4" thick. The sides were breaded and I think braised is the term... There was a line running down the middle with smaller lines that came from it. The meat was kind of tough and very chewy, salty and had a strong flavor. I haven't had pork in about 10 years, so I couldn't tell. I thought it was tongue... but I've never seen cooked beef tongue. It had more of a porkish flavor though but, again I haven't been eating too much meat lately. Mostly fish and chicken occasionally.

Answer 1

If it was chewy, then it must be beef.  They also serve pork in clay pot but usually it would be the belly and very tender.  You should have asked the server so it would not have bee a mystey.  Anyway, the important thing is that you enjoyed your meal.