Plate Of The Day

Food Blog

Eating in China – 老北京

Back in Beijing this past week and enjoying some of the best Chinese food I’ve had in a long time. I have to admit that I’m also very impressed with the many recently opened western restaurants here in Beijing as well – which I’ll also be blogging about 当然! Every time I come back to this city it continues to blow my mind with its rapid modernization. For example Rem Koolhaas’s CCTV Tower is an incredible sight alongside the many other modern skyscrappers in Beijing. Down on the street level, the rapid 24/7 Chinese construction crews have also produced new clubs, bars and restaurants that are opening up for business every single day. Yes, the pollution continues to be a problem but for a city of 13 million plus it’s not as bad as I had imagined. New subway lines are being constructed in preparation for the olympics. As for all the brouhaha about Tibet, well let’s just say that I’ve spoken to many people here in Beijing who were in Tibet when it happened and it’s a much different picture from what the Western media is portraying. Turn off your TV!

Back to the food – This past week I’ve had a chance to sample a lot of the classics such Jiaozi (dumplings), Pai Huang Gua (pickled garlic cucumber), Yu Xiang Rou Si (spicy fish flavored pork), huo guo (Hot Pot), and of course niu rou la mian (hand pulled noodles with beef).

I’m going to be hitting the road to explore some cities outside of Beijing and will be sure to be blogging every memorable meal on the way!