Beijing and Shanghai

Last summer, I went to Beijing and Shanghai. I found the food in Beijing was more oily and salty, so I prefered the food in Shanghai. Saying this, it doesn't mean I didn't like the food in beijing. Far from it. I love Chinese cuisine. I'm not talking about the take away Chinese you get in the UK, but real chinese food. There is so much meat and vegetables. Delicious!

I was told there should be 8 dishes,as it is good for harmony or luck. I was told this 6 months ago, so please forgive me if this is incorrect. During my time there I tried food from 3 different budgets.

I ate at a low price resturant in Beijing and had street food in Shanghai. Sadly,I never took pictures. But the street food in Shanghai was some dumplings. I read on lonely planet that these were famous and the had sesame oil inside. Plus,they were so cheap 50p for 4! The location of this food stall is next to the tomorrow park. It is near the park hotel.

See the road to the left. Walk down there for 5-10 minutes. It's on the left side. You should see a queue outside. ------------->

The dumplings were delicious but so filling. I could only eat 2-3. Plus,watch out for the hot oil!!

Are you brave enough?

There was snack food in Beijing but it wasn't to my taste..... see the pictures for why.....though if you're brave enough, then have a try. Be careful with the street vendors even if you're just looking. My friend told me she was just looking and the street vendor told her to buy it and was charging 5 times the price. When she said no, they started shouting at her.

I was also lucky with the food in my tours. I went with tor-beijing.com. The food was really good. I was only expecting a sandwich but we got a full 8 dish meal on the first trip. It was full of rice, vegetables, fish and meat. Yum!

On the second trip we went to a Chinese home where they made real homemade chinese food. It was a similar menu of vegetables and meat. I could never get bored of Chinese food! I love it!

Home made Chinese food.

The entrance to the peking duck

My biggest and most expensive meal was in Beijing at a famous peking duck resturant. I heard off my Korean friends that if you go to China, you must try the peking duck. The resturant in on the main shopping street 4 minutes from the Lotte building and down a side street. Expect to queue. Lines are normally 30 minutes to an hour long. Though, if people are willing to queue for that long then it must be good.

I went with two guys from my tour group. Otherwise it would of been too expensive (and there was too much for one person!). Each duck comes with a set menu. We went for the 3 people option, which was also the cheapest. To be honest I didn't know half the stuff I was eating. Neck of duck....something else of duck...

We got mushroom soup and many other side dishes. The duck comes with a chef who cuts it up in front of you then takes the carcass away to make you soup. Waste not, want not, I always say.

peking duck

Enjoying the duck

peking duck

peking duck

food from the first tour

Tea house in old town.

I know this blog is about food, but I am going to give a special mention to tea in this blog, as China is famous for it's tea. In Shanghai, I went to the tradtional tea shop in the heart of the old town. I recommend you going. It's worth it, just for the experience. The building is old and you are surrounded by old tradtional buildings. Plus the tea is well..... special. It's got a flower itside. Plus the give you a flask of hot water so you can keep re-filling your teapot.

View from my window

My tea set.