The Real Reason I Came Back to China
Posted on 26. Apr, 2011 by Steph in Asia, Destinations, Photos
Yeah I know, I said I was burned out on a travel and I missed my boyfriend and all that. I wasn’t lying, but there’s another truth. I’ve been dreaming about Chinese food pretty much since I left China six months ago.
What can I say? I love food. Especially cheap food, and China is pretty much top of the pyramid for an enormous variety of cheap and delicious dishes. The stuff you’ve had at home- the stuff that comes in the little white boxes- is great an all, but it doesn’t begin to compare to the authentic Chinese cuisine.
In China meals are a communal sport. Big dishes in the middle of the table with a copious side of white rice. There are weird smells, and unidentifiable dishes, grease and food splashing everywhere. There’s the drama and heartbreak of eating with chopsticks (something I’ve just about got a grip on). In the end though, it’s all about the tasty tasty food.
Here are some of my favorites:
Bao Zi- a typical breakfast here in Xi’an, these juicy buns are filled with savory meat and dipped in a spicy vinegar sauce. They really put my chopstick skills to the test.
Gan Bian Dou Jiao- Spicy greenbeans, usually with some garlic and Sichuan peppercorns (accidentally bite one and feel your entire mouth go numb). My parents will be shocked because I don’t even LIKE green beans at home, but I can’t get enough of these.
Gong Bao Ji Ding- This one is fairly recognizable in the states as Kung Pao Chicken. The spicy crunchiness gets me every time.
Yu Xiang Rou Si- Translation: fish flavored pork. It doesn’t actually taste fishy (which is good because I pretty much loathe fish).
Bing (Stuffed Flatbread)- Not sure the specific name for this street snack, but to Mike’s amusement I’ve been calling it Pizza Bread. It’s stuffed with a spicy paste and served hot, with more spicy sauce brushed on top.
Liang Ban Huang Gua- A simple dish, it’s really just cold cut up cucumbers in a slightly spicy sauce. Very refreshing.
Hot Pot- A specialty of Chengdu but available most everywhere, this meal is kind of like fondue if you replace cheese with spicy boiling hot oil and bread with just about anything imaginable: lamb, veggies, eggs,
Kou Rou- The best thing ever in my life basically. Kou Rou is chinese BBQ, served in kebab form by street vendors with a side of naan bread. Between two of us we’ll order about 30 sticks, usually lamb or chicken, and go to town.
The kicker? A meal for two at one of the local restaurants off campus runs us less than $5. If we eat on campus we pay maybe $3. So much yummy food for so cheap… it’s all downhill from here.
30 Responses to “The Real Reason I Came Back to China”
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Anthony
26. Apr, 2011
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. That’s all.
Steph
30. Apr, 2011
noted.
Dan Thompson
26. Apr, 2011
I have to say, I enjoyed the food in China every meal but breakfast. I just couldn’t hack “dinner” food for breakfast. I was looking for McDonalds about every morning I was there just to get something familiar and a “breakfast” flavor. LOL Silly sounding… I know. Every other time we sat down at the table though, it was full on “I don’t know what this is but I’m trying it”.
Dan
Steph
30. Apr, 2011
Luckily we have an apartment so i usually end up having bread, yogurt or granola bars for breakfast.
Dave
26. Apr, 2011
The pork dumplings served in a spicy sauce (in Chengdu) were my favorite. I still think about them. So good.
Jilianne @ Cotswolds Cottages
26. Apr, 2011
I was really hooked in using chopsticks when eating siomai and noodles. I don’t know, I just feel like the food is tastier when you eat the Chinese way. It’s really fun
Doug O'Neill
26. Apr, 2011
More great reasons to travel in yours 20s.
Tips from a gal who did it. Talks to Canadian Living magazine.
http://tinyurl.com/6j8jp4p
Gareth Leonard
26. Apr, 2011
You put any meat on a stick and I’m in! Great photos.
Steph
30. Apr, 2011
I will eat ALMOST anything on a stick.
Dalene - Hecktic Travels
26. Apr, 2011
I’ve always been a little nervous about travel in China because of the food (like you, I loathe anything fishy). I’ve always been worried that I would pretty much live on rice! But everything you’ve shown above, I would eat. Even the beans (which I don’t eat at home either!) Sounds like you and I could be picky-eater-traveling-buddies!
Steph
30. Apr, 2011
I’m surprised how many people think Chinese food is fishy? Keeps coming up in the comments but it’s never something I’ve really associated with chinese. In any case, Xi’an is about 1000 km inland, so I’d be pretty wary of any fish out here!
Globetrottergirls
26. Apr, 2011
We have to admit that we are both not huge fans of Chinese food, and are a little bit worried about finding food we like once we make it to China, but the pictures in the post made us feel much better about food in China – thanks for sharing
Steph
30. Apr, 2011
Chinese food is soooo varied I’m sure you will find something to love!
Sheryll
26. Apr, 2011
mmmm, that all looks delicious. I never thought I would think that about Chinese food (bc I hate fishy stuff too), but that all looks incredible. The green beans especially look delicious!
Scott - Quirky Travel Guy
26. Apr, 2011
All of these look delicious… especially the spicy green beans.
Lauren Fritsky
26. Apr, 2011
I loved the food in Shanghai. I was surprised at some of the stuff on menus, like fried cheese. I definitely liked the food in China better than Westernized Chinese food.
Jaime
26. Apr, 2011
Oh man that all looks great… you are tempting me to go to China for the food alone. Damn… maybe I need to get a Visa just incase.
Mica
26. Apr, 2011
OMG everything looks sooo good. 30 sticks? I can feel my mouth watering. So many options! I think I’m gonna love China!
Camels & Chocolate
27. Apr, 2011
I just came back from San Francisco’s best dim sum place in Chinatown. And yet looking at these photos STILL made me hungry. Scott and I are going to be in China this fall for the first time (I’ve been to Macau and HK but never the mainland); we’ll have to scour your blog for dining recs!
Steph
30. Apr, 2011
Yeah definitely let me know if you need any suggestions, China is VERY different from Hong Kong but it sure is interesting!
Alouise
27. Apr, 2011
That food looks like delicious. I think going back to China for food like that is certainly valid.
Tom
27. Apr, 2011
Omnomnom! I love meat filled buns.
Wait…no, that’s right.
These photos have made mess hungry, all I have right now is a chocolate protein shake. Time to go to China!
Steph
30. Apr, 2011
True, but at least you have cupcakes in Korea!
Julia
27. Apr, 2011
Oh yeah….loving the food porn. This is EXACTLY why China has been top of my travel list for a loooonnnnnggg time
Ashley
03. May, 2011
I miss hot pot so much! Also, fried eggplant is pretty amazing. If you haven’t had it yet, I suggest you get it.
Steph
03. May, 2011
I don’t really like eggplant but Mike keeps tricking me into eating it and it turns out it’s pretty good!
Adrienne @Shenventure
21. May, 2011
Hehe, being chinese, it’s so interesting reading what everyone else thinks of chinese food. You’re right… chinese food is VERY varied…there’s a lot of seafood, but plenty of everything else as well, depending on the region. Great pics!
Steph
24. May, 2011
I think that the chinese food we eat in the rest is just so radically different from authentic chinese food, most people don’t even know wht to expect.
Tai
08. Jul, 2011
In China, different provinces/cities have special food or own way of cooking same food. Find it out by following local people there. I like Chinese food in China rather than in H.K.