Author Archives: jen

Beijing Snacks (xiao chi 小吃): Huguosi’s Eats (护国寺总店)

Posted on March 6, 2011 by jen

Traditional old-school Beijing snacks are not as hard to find as you might think. Sure, many of the laozihao (traditional time-honored brands) in the older areas of Beijing have closed their doors or moved – the most famous collective packed … Continue reading →

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Travels in Suzhou: Twice-Cooked Egg Crepe (jidan guanbing 鸡蛋灌饼)

Posted on February 12, 2011 by jen

As a variation on our beloved theme of the Tianjin-style egg crepe jianbing, I’ll post an ode to jianbing‘s cousin, the jidan guanbing (鸡蛋灌饼), also roughly translated as egg crepe. Both are fantastic for late-night munchies or more traditionally, a … Continue reading →

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Suzhou’s Magical Flying Food

Posted on January 27, 2011 by jen

Suzhou is famous for being one of the most beautiful towns in China. It’s been called the Venice of the East for it’s graceful canals and gentle lifestyle, and in China, there’s a saying that goes “Heaven above, Hangzhou and … Continue reading →

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Toast from a Toaster Oven: Making sourdough

Posted on January 16, 2011 by jen

So it’s not Chinese food, but baking a (relatively tasty) loaf of sourdough in the confines of a tiny Beijing kitchen with an even tinier toaster oven is surely worthy of a blog post. In my neighborhood, it’s nigh impossible … Continue reading →

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Oodles of Noodles at Yellow River

Posted on December 28, 2010 by jen

Once upon a time, we snuck into Yellow River Shaanxi Noodles (huanghe shui shanxi mianguan, the Meishuguan branch) in our quest to learn how to make the oh-so-heavenly youpo chemian. I was promptly booted out of the kitchen, but not … Continue reading →

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The Magic of Chuanbeimu (川貝母): Asian Pear Soup for the Winter of my Discontent

Posted on November 10, 2010 by jen

Rumor has it that this winter in Beijing will be even colder than the last. Considering last winter was one of the coldest in Beijing history and necessitated my purchasing not one, but TWO down jackets to make it through … Continue reading →

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Fig Compote: Who knew they had figs in China?

Posted on November 1, 2010 by jen

I love love love figs. Love them fresh or dried, in a lovely red wine reduction, on my toast, stirred into yogurt, laced with honey… you get the point. Living in California, getting my hands on these fleshy little creatures … Continue reading →

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Roast Pork (烧肉): Hong Kong at Home

Posted on August 24, 2010 by jen

I am obviously obsessed with pork. I never got why they called it “the other white meat” because people who prefer chicken seriously need to have their heads examined. In China, the pig is taken pretty seriously. Beef is niu … Continue reading →

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Amazing (ly Expensive) Noodles: Xiaolumian at Mutianyu

Posted on August 14, 2010 by jen

Most noodles in Beijing run from 6-15 kuai in the small mian dians. If you want to go fancier and hand over a few more kuai, you can get specialty noodles made from unusual ingredients, or double or trip up … Continue reading →

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Beijing Snacks (xiaochi 小吃): Jiumen Snack Street Adventures

Posted on July 9, 2010 by jen

“Enjoy yourself in Beijing traditional snacks” reads the wall-sized sign next to the modest doorway hiding the courtyard of Jiumen xiaochi (九门小吃). In a little hutong off of the quieter end of Houhai is this treasure trove for those seeking … Continue reading →

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