So I think we all knew I was going to be a bit of a slacker at this blog thing! But Michelle is great at updates found here. But now that I actually have my act together here's a slice of Beijing food culture...well at least the bit we experienced. We were pretty tame I think. Stayed away from the donkey, dog (apparently a bit chewier than beef) and cat!
Our first night we went in search of Peking duck...I mean when in Beijing what else are we going to start with! We found a restaurant near our hostel, not the fast foodish contemporary restaurant recommended by Lonely planet. The restaurant was packed with local people, we were the only foreigners, not that it made any waves. So I think we got a pretty authentic experience.
Below is "chicken" with sprouts and peppers wrapped in pancake.
This followed by Peking duck again wrapped in pancake. In an attempt to be some what healthy we ordered bok choy in garlic that came drenched in oil. Don't get me wrong it was delicious but healthy well that's another story!
Overall our first meal was fantastic! The duck was crispy on the outside, moist on the inside. The whole thing felt pretty rich, so definitely a once in a while celebration meal.
Next day we were lured in with free tea into a tea store where the lady performed a mini ceremony. It seemed like she washed the leaves with the first batch of hot water and then offered us the second, third, fourth version until we finally turned our cup upside down!
Second night we went to a little whole in the wall place. I judged the tastes and authenticity by the crowds in the restaurant and this place was pretty full! Top going clockwise is chicken with veg and peanuts, sweet peas in garlic (and oil!!!) and fried chili crispy shrimp. The shrimp came with the heads on which I just munched through. Somehow the fried chili peppers didn't seem as hot as their fried version. Again delicious!
For our last lunch we went back to the first Roast duck restaurant. This is mashed potatoes with blueberry sauce (i.e blueberry pie filling!) I know what you are thinking but seriously you must try this! It is delicious! I am pretty sure the potatoes were powdered, so I can only imagine how good real potatoes will be. Family and friends back in Ottawa, you won't have to wonder, I will be recreating this for you once I am home.
Lucy, we tried the preserved eggs just for you. OMG so good. I will have to wiki at some point to figure out how the egg white turns into this translucent gel like thing, but all I can say is sooo good!
Last not least we tried scallops with veg. As usual it was good but the scallops were not really what we are used to. To begin with it was pretty small and surrounded by a tail?! Meh whatever, it was good.
All in all no complaints about Beijing on the food front. We just wish we had more time to sample through more of the exotic like black chicken with turtle in a nutritious broth.
Next food in Hanoi...for that let me just say at one point I was sitting in a mini kid stool, on the street, near the gutter and having the best bbq!
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