TICKLE YOUR PALATE WITH THESE CHINESE GASTRONOMIC DELIGHTS

Photo taken from www.decorationroom.info

It is the year of the Chinese Goat! And by way of tradition, celebration (and eating) will still continue until the 15th day after. And when you talk about this big celebration among our Chinese friends, it only meant one thing - FOOD! (and lots of them!) This is my little way of paying tribute to my Chinese colleagues and friends for introducing me to their delicious and one-of-a-kind cuisine. 

Here's a photo blog of what I had savoured best....from the odd ones (and perhaps more for the adventurous types) to the best ones. I always kept coming back for more.

I did remember some of the places where you can find them so you can head out and try it out yourself. But to most, I simply indulged. 

Nevertheless you may want to keep the photo on site so the next time you are in China, you can just refer to it and point it out. These days, most Chinese are happy to post on blog sites as well as get recommendations from fellow critiques. So I am pretty sure you will be able find them. In any case, just go and explore whatever is available...all ready for the taking.

Have a feast! 

And here's wishing everyone the best in the year of the Chinese Ram!

China Hairy Crab - very seasonal and mostly available during October

Shrimp cooked in crab meat sauce - at the Chang Hong Lang restaurant

Delectable seafood for hot pot at the Faigo Hot Pot Restaurant. Thin slices of meat or pork and lots of different veggies can also be added to the hotpot (see below)

Snails stewed in soy sauce with sliced green onions - at the street food market in Chongqing China

Black gelatine - at the street food market - Chongqing China

Ma po tofu from Din Tai Fung

Classic ha kaw (shrimp dumpling) from Din Tai Fung

Stir fried kailan veggie in garlic at Din Tai Fung

Famous Din Tai Fung's xiao long bao - one of Shanghai's original so this one is a must-try

Deep fried pork

Classic Chinese pork soup in herbs and spices

Heading out to Wuhan, the centre of Hubei cuisine in China. Wuhan is actually the most populous city in Central China. Perhaps the development of the city had brought people in or maybe perhaps I wonder it is the enticement of eating something new, spicy and not so traditional.

Shrimp in mayo

Crab, glorious crab - slow down though

I don't know if the fish is saying hello or don't eat me! - steamed fish in light soy sauce

Crab legs meat with veggies

This collection of photos was from a place called Chongqing, one of the largest municipality in Southwest China. They are famous for their hot pot - from the most common thin sliced pork to the bizarre pork tongue...don't imagine and just dig and eat...

This is the main hot pot soup where it is served under a hot plate or burning stove - can choose either spicy or 'normal'

From the unusual veggie to common ones

Pork tongue...hmmmm.....

Pig intestines

Pig stomach lining

Thin tofu slices



Shrimp - baby ones -

Heading back to Shanghai before my final departure, I cannot simply resist to try more Shanghai food.

Happy eating! (and keep safe, always!)

Belly-Satisfying Food Trip of Japanese Traditional Dishes

Here are some of the best belly-satisfying, rich, and tempting traditional dishes that you will be crazy to miss when in Japan.

Japanese Soba (Hot). Photo courtesy of Hnoii C Ruangraksa

Soba is Japanese noodle soup with thinly cut pork slices and shallots. You can either have this as hot or cold. This particular restaurant is in the Kamata area – click here for more on Kamata Japan.

Takoyaki. Photo courtesy of  Hnoii C Ruangraksa

Takoyaki is a ball-shaped snack made of a wheat flour-based batter and cooked in a special takoyaki pan. It is typically filled with minced or diced octopus, tempura scraps, pickled ginger, and green onion plus lots of sauce (or gravy!)

Dorayaki

Pancake-like cake with anka (red bean or white bean paste) filling - the cake is named after the cartoon character Doraemon as this is his favourite. Found this particular one at a department store in Yokohama. Slightly priced higher than “non-designed” dorayaki but tastes the same as well!

Ramen. Photo courtesy of  Hnoii C Ruangraksa

This particular ramen consists of Chinese-style wheat noodles served in a meat-based broth, flavoured with miso, and uses toppings such as sliced pork, dried seaweed, steamed veggies and green onions (and obviously very spicy – look at the red sauce!). Try having ramen at Tokyo Base restaurant!

Japanese Sake. Photo courtesy of  Hnoii C Ruangraksa

Never miss trying out Japanese Sake, an alcoholic beverage that is made from fermented rice.

Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is savoury pancake containing a variety of ingredients. The name is derived from the word okonomi, meaning "what you like" or "what you want", and yaki meaning "grilled" or "cooked."We tried grilling and we couldn’t stop!

Sushi and Shashimi platter. Photo courtesy of  Hnoii C Ruangraksa

Sushi consists of cooked vinegared rice combined with other ingredients, seafood, vegetables and sometimes tropical fruits and sashimi consists of very fresh raw meat or fish sliced into thin pieces

Shabu-shabu thinly-sliced beef. Photo courtesy of  Hnoii C Ruangraksa

These are cooked while you are eating – you can do it yourself or a Japanese server will gladly do it for you

Shabu-shabu dipping sauce. Photo courtesy of  Hnoii C Ruangraksa

You can either choose to have the peanut sauce or Japanese vinegar as dipping sauce for your shabu-shabu

Japanese Tempura. Photo courtesy of  Hnoii C Ruangraksa

One of my favourites! Selection of shrimp, fish or vegetables deep-fried and dipped into special tempura sauce.

We had this tempura set at the Shinagawa Prince hotel

Japanese Mochi. Photo courtesy of  Hnoii C Ruangraksa

The perfect, delicate Japanese dessert to end your meal. Mochi is pounded sticky rice with an ice cream filling. Had this at the Moritaya shabu-shabu restaurant in Shinagawa area.

Limited edition Starbucks Frappe for Sakura Festival

Limited edition Starbucks Frappe for Sakura festival – this one has some strawberry-flavored white chocolate on top….very much strawberry yum.

Chocornet in Japan

Tried the chocolate wrapped in bread – pure chocolate goodness. This shop, resto can be found just after you exit Tokyo Sky Tree.

Refreshing drink called Umeshu or plum cider. Photo courtesy of Hnoii C Ruangraksa

Umeshu is a Japanese liqueur made from ume (plum) and sugar. You can either take it pure hence as an alcohol drink or with soda water to make it a lighter refreshing drink.

Japanese crab salad

Fresh crab salad with some fish roe – good as starter

Hello Kitty Blendy stick. Photo courtesy of Hnoii C Ruangraksa

Hello Kitty blendy stick drink for a cool, warm sleepy night after.

Chawanmushi (rightmost image).

A platter of fresh greens with sesame oil and dressing and chawanmushi which literally means "tea cup steam"- an egg custard dish that uses the seeds of gingko. Available in most restaurants.

Japanese rice at different serving sizes.

Hmmm. Want less carbs? I had an option to choose in an office canteen. Hopefully you can find them somewhere else.

Delicate cheesecake with orange peel from Patisserie Mother Leaf

What's next is a ten-course Teppanyaki meal from a restaurant called Teppan-Yaki Matenro at the top of the shopping district beside the Tokyo Sky Tree.

Apart from the sumptuous meal, the view from the top will give you a very nice look at the city at night.

Start off the meal with fish egg wrapped in Nori. Photo courtesy of Hnoii C Ruangraksa

          Abalone. Photo courtesy of Hnoii C Ruangraksa.

Grilled Octopus. Photo courtesy of Hnoii C Ruangraksa.

Grilled lobsters...yum, yum. Photo courtesy of Hnoii C Ruangraksa.

Teppanyaki beef...the star of the meal. Photo courtesy of Hnoii C Ruangraksa.

Fried rice in light miso soup. Photo courtesy of Hnoii C Ruangraksa.

End the meal with Vanilla ice cream with fruits. Photo courtesy of Hnoii C Ruangraksa.

Happy eating in Japan!

Visit, Tasting the Real Deal - Kobe Beef, and learn where to enjoy this "holy grail" of steaks.