好吃：Chinese Cuisine

Doesn't the shape of china resemble a rooster? 

Ever since I came back to Japan from China, I've missed authentic Chinese Cuisine. There is something about going into a sketchy, family owned Chinese restaurant that lets you know, "Yup, their food must be goooood". During my time in China, i'm pretty sure I ate Chinese about 70% of the time - it was good, filling and super cheap. I remember paying only 10RMB for a whole meal which translate to $1.50, and believe it or not I didn't contract any stomach ache.

However, I've traveled to many parts of the world and Chinese cuisine has always been replicated pretty well. And so, wherever you are, you will find my all time favorite dishes anywhere you go.

Just one tip! Chinese people love their Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), it is the food additive/flavor enhancer, but it is very, very bad for you especially if you are going to consume lots of it! Therefore, whenever you are ordering make sure to tell them only a little or none at all - it doesn't make a huge difference in the deliciousness of the meal!

Tomato and Egg, Green Onion Pancakes (Congyou Bing), Mapo Tofu (Mapo Dofu)

These are the great starters. They are always so savory and light like the tomato and egg combination as well as the Mapo Dofu. The Chinese love their green onions and so it is in each of these three dishes which gives such a distinct taste. After eating these three, you are always wanting for more. No joke, I've had all these three in one sitting and it was so good, that I wanted the main dishes even more.

Kung Pao Chicken (Gongbao Jiding), Dumplings (Jao zi), Sweet and Sour Pork (Gu Lao Rou)

The Gongbao Jiding, Jao zi and Gu Lao Rou is something I always order whenever I'm in a Chinese restaurants. The Gongbao Jiding are cashew nuts, soy sauce sauté, green onions, and chicken breasts, who wouldn't like that? The dumplings I can't stay away from - the soft outer layer of the dough dipped in soy sauce with the pork grinds inside. Perfect combination and so delicious. Lastly, the Gu Lao Rou, just like its name - it is pork dipped in a sauce that is sweet and sour at the same time!

Fried Rice (Chao Fan) and Fried Noodles (Chao Mien) 

I love the Fried rice and noodles of the Chinese because for some reason it is so much better than choosing white rice with the Gong Bao or Gu Lao Rou or Dumplings. The oiliness, the tiny pork chops, the green onion and thinness of the rice/noodles is just perfect.

Sesame Balls (Ma Tuan) , Almond Jelly, Chinese Steamed Buns (Man Tou) 

Ah! No cuisine is perfect without their distinct desserts. While all their dishes are sweet, savory, rich in food addtivie, and meat - their desserts aren't described as sweet. Their desserts are more to clean your taste bud platers. The fried sesame balls have a hard shell with a kid of bean paste inside where the contrasts between the two textures are what makes it so scrumptious. The almond jelly is so soft and just has a hint of almond that doesn't make you want to gag. It's also very light that even if you are full, you can still fit it in your stomach. My favorite is the Man tou or the chinese steamed buns where you dip it into condensed milk. It is soft buns that when dipped into the sweet milk makes it so rich in its taste.

Beijing Duck (Peking Kaoya)

The Beijing Duck cannot be found so easily in many restaurants around the world but if you ever do get a chance to head to Beijing -I am begging you to get yourself one! It is a delicacy that you cannot miss. I know duck is kind of weird but really it taste like AMAZING CHICKEN. You get a thin wrap where you place the special duck sauce, the duck, and cut up vegetables - and you eat it just like a wrap. It is so tasty when you get the right duck! I would get this any day if I could.

Some useful Chinese Phrases for the restaurant:
Nihao - Hello
Zai Dian - Good Bye
Xie Xie - Thank you
Zhe ge doushao qian? - How much is this?
Wo yao/buyao.. - I want/do not want...
Wo buyao weijing - I do not want MSG
Hao Chi - Delicious
Shui - Water
Mi fan - White Rice
Zhi Piao - Cheque!
Fu Wu - Waiter
Cai Dan - Menu
Yi Diar La - Little Spice
Kuai zi - Chopsticks

So get yourself to a Chinese restaurant now, cause if not, you are missing out!

Love,
ALPHA