Category Archives: LIFE

Random bits and pieces on life in Beijing

Best of 2011: A Feast at Blue Hill at Stone Barns

Posted on March 14, 2012 by jen

…And we’re back! My utter lack of computer savvy and a malware scare led to few months hiatus of the blog, but I managed to learn me just enough internets to patch things up. In celebration, I can finally write … Continue reading →

Posted in EAT, LIFE | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Nothing Says Winter Like Two Tons of Da Baicai (Cabbage)

Posted on November 17, 2011 by jen

Nothing else in Beijing declares winter like the arrival of the city’s piles ‘o cabbage. My first year here, I thought snowfall on Old Hallow’s Eve heralded the dreaded Beijing winter; my second, no snow in November, but wretchedly freezing … Continue reading →

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Travels in Yunnan: On Eating Flowers

Posted on June 18, 2011 by jen

In a debate over what to eat in Yunnan, it’ll always be a tough call. So many glorious options! So little time. On a recent and tragically food-deficient trip to Yunnan, I was denied the chance to stuff my face … Continue reading →

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Chinese Lemons (国产柠檬): A 23 Word Recipe for Meyer Lemon Curd

Posted on June 1, 2011 by jen

One of the surprising wonders of living here is discovering some things you coveted back home are actually easy to find  in China. I’m not talking about Sichuan peppercorns, or a big bottle of beer for 3 kuai (40ish cents). … Continue reading →

Posted in COOK, LIFE | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Travels in Burma: The Best of Street Food

Posted on May 18, 2011 by jen

Burma. Still quite the land of mystery, with only a smattering of tourists. For those who have been thinking of going, I heartly encourage it. It’s stunning in its beauty, the people unbelievably warm, and there is always the scent … Continue reading →

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Snacktime: Chickenettes and Seaweed Fish

Posted on March 25, 2011 by christine

The rabbit year was supposed to usher in calm and fuzzy good feelings, but so far it hasn’t.  It feels more than a bit silly to blog about food right now, especially as so many in Japan struggle to get … Continue reading →

Posted in EAT, LIFE | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

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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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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Eighties Food Magazines: Chinese Cuisine (Zhongguo Pengren 中国烹饪), Food Science (Shipin keji 食品科技)

Posted on November 4, 2010 by christine

Are those angry emoticons on shrimp-paste-bellies?  Yes, yes they are. Today there’s a Chinese edition of Food & Wine, now owned by Great Wall Wine, but where would you get your food porn in Reform Era China?  Recently I scavenged … Continue reading →

Posted in LIFE | Tagged , , | 7 Comments