How To: Celebrate Chinese New Year

Seeing red all over this week? That's because it's Chinese New Year, in the Year of the Snake -- Sunday kicked off the celebration, and all week long specific traditions mark the holiday. Red is the color of happiness and festivity in China, so this week red lanterns, red dresses, and red envelopes abound.

Want to partake in the fun? Try making dumplings at home, hang some red paper lanterns in your home, or head to a local dragon parade. If you are in Los Angeles, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce is hosting a parade in Chinatown. Say "Happy New Year!" in Mandarin -- "Xin Nian Kuai Le!" Or follow the tradition of giving your friends and family red envelopes (hong bao) stuffed with money for the new year -- they are sure to thank you! 

How do you celebrate Chinese New Year? 

Reader Questions: "Searching for Silk" in Shanghai

 First, I'd like to say I LOVE your blog! It's been great to read and share with others that are headed over to China - thanks for all that you share.

I am actually headed to Shanghai from Mississippi and really wanted to go to some good quality fabric stores. We are staying at the Portman Ritz Carlton.

Any suggestions of fabric stores in the area or in Shanghai in general? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks so much,
"Searching for Silk"

Dear Searching,

Happy to hear you enjoy the blog, and thanks for sharing it with others!

First of all, you will love the Portman - it is beautiful. There is an amazing acrobat show right at the hotel, so be sure not to miss it.

Shanghai Fabric Market is best (399 Lujiabang Rd). (If you're not familiar with Shanghai, have the Ritz write the information on a card for you to show the cab driver -- and get a card for the hotel to show the driver when you want to return!) Check out this post (though a little old) from "Life on Nanchang Lu" that gives a review of several stalls - while some may have changed by now, it's definitely worth checking out. When you visit, don't forget to bargain. Pretend to walk away if necessary. Shanghai shops aren't as flexible as Beijing or other parts of China, but you should still push to get at least 20-30% off. 

While you're there, be sure to check out these highlights of Shanghai as well: Yu Yuan gardens, Fuxing Park on the weekends to see daily Chinese life (check out my post on it here), and Shanghai soup dumplings at Din Tai Fung.

And if you have time, take the train to Hangzhou for the day - it is said to be the most beautiful place in all of China.

Enjoy!

{Yu Yuan Gardens, Shanghai}

Have a question you'd like answered about China? Leave a comment, email chinafulblog@gmail.com, or drop a note through the Contact page.  I'd love to hear from you!

Luxury Dim Sum at Hong Kong Ritz Carlton, Tin Lung Heen

Recently, I'm hooked on watching old episodes of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations - they're on repeat because it's the final season (I'm in mourning...seriously.) Bourdain and I share passions for many thing - street food, all preparations of pork, and Asia, to name a few. Last night, I watched him explore Hong Kong, one of my favorite cities in the world and my home for a brief summer. He described Hong Kong as the true foodie city, like a pinball game where the eater is exposed to an infinite amount of food options at every corer.

If Hong Kong is a  pinball game, Tin Lung Heen at the tip-top of the Hong Kong Ritz Carlton in Kowloon Bay is an elegant snooker tournament. Bourdain visited a traditional (read: noisy, crowded, and oh so delicious) teahouse for his dim sum. That's a required experience for anyone - my recommendation: Maxim's City Hall in Central Hong Kong. But sometimes I'm in the mood to enjoy my dim sum with a beautiful view and luxury ingredients, just for a little treat. I recently visited Tin Lung Heen for a dim sum lunch, and it delivers in spades. It's the perfect spot for a business meeting, a celebration, or a quiet moment to savor. 

And the flavors? As good or better than the teahouses - I'd like to think Bourdain would approve.   

{Dim Sum Menu, full of delectables}

{Tiny Bonsai Garden next to our table} 

 {Insanely decadent gold leaf Har Gow, steamed shrimp dumplings} 

 {Three Meats Barbecue Platter, including suckling pig and roast goose - crispy, salty skin perfection} 

 {Yes, more pork: A riff on the classic pork in glutinous rice, using Spanish Iberico Pork}

 {Sweet dim sum to finish - sesame balls with red bean centers, and glutinous rice treats}

Tin Lung Heen

International Commerce Centre (ICC)/the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong

1 Austin Road West, Hong Hong, ph: (852) 2263 2270

Back in Beijing

I've been lax in updating this week - I could say it's due to the 20 hour flight to Beijing and jet lag, but the truth is, I'm reveling in being back in my favorite city and haven't wanted to stay in my hotel room long enough to write. So much has stayed the same since I studied at Tsinghua in 2009, and yet so much has changed as well. Friends have stayed, others left, and many returned. I'm snapping pictures and working up several posts, but to tide Chinaful readers over I thought I'd give a quick peak of what I've been up to. 

And mostly, that's eating with friends. 

                                      

(Clockwise, from top-Eggplant, Nai Wang Bao, Beijing Breakfast Pancake, Bull Frog Stir Fry, Purple Jiaozi, my friend Zhou Zhixiang.)

108 Chinese Dishes to Try, ASAP

Like any good attorney, I love lists – they are organized, linear, and motivational.  Imagine my excitement when I came across a list of 100 Chinese Food to Try Before You Die by the food blog, Appetite for China.  Chinese food is my passion as it is Diana’s, so I couldn’t wait to check off all of the foods I’ve tasted and start scheming to find a way to finish the rest.  These are my personal favorites from her list: 

No. 10: Bubble tea*

No. 14: Cha siu (Cantonese roast pork)*

No. 17: Chinese sausage*

No. 19: Chrysanthemum tea* (my favorite Chinese tea)

No. 32: Egg tart, Cantonese or Macanese*

No. 43: Hand-pulled noodles*

No. 50: Hot Pot* (extra stars for hot pot with the sesame dipping paste)

No. 54: Kung Pao Chicken*

No. 55: Lamb skewers (yangrou chua’r)*

No. 68: Peking duck* (when done right, one of my top 10 favorite foods in the world)

{All images and their sources can be found on my Pinterest page}

I love the balance of dishes Diana chose for her list, displaying so many flavors and regions of China.  Still, I have to add 8 dishes near to my heart.  But don't just try them before you die - try them ASAP, you'll be happy you did.  

• Yu Xiang Qie Zi - fish flavored eggplant, with little bits of pork and a sauce that is out of this world.
• Sichuan peppercorns - a strange little condiment that deserves it's own post, coming soon.
• Steamed jiaozi (dumplings) - probably the only time I'll ever say this, but this is one food I prefer not fried.
• Jian bing - the best street food you could ever imagine.  Super-thin pancake, crispy wonton skin, fried egg, cilantro and hot sauce, all made in a matter of minutes while you watch.
• Egg and tomato stir fry - the ultimate comfort food.  Check out my video on how to make it through the link.
• Beijing Lao Mian - thick wheat noodles topped with raw veggies and more delicious pork.
• Nai wong bao - my very favorite dim sum, buns filled with custard.  The best I ever ate had custard the consistency of a runny egg yolk with sugar, like the first stage of baking a cake or cookies.  
• Liang Ban Huang Gua - Marinated cucumber salad, the perfect mix of hot and sour.  It's so refreshing, I could eat it every day.