Local Delicacies

Nothing gets in the way when it comes to good food. That is also the reason why i have chosen this subject to be the very first post of my trip. (or maybe 2nd).
(The tagging of one city per dish represents where it originated from.)

1. Shanghai - Xiao Long Pao 小籠包
The shop behind me is where Xiao Long Pao is invented. It is situated in Cheng Huang Miao or so called Yuyuan Garden. I literally have to queue for an hour just to get myself 16 pieces of this for 8 RMB. (If you eat in, you can only get 6 for 30RMB). So it was actually worth queuing.



But guess what, it was a disappointment. The skin was just too thick to my liking. Thank god it was saved by the ingredients inside. The soup and meat were delicious.




2. Wuxi - Pork spare ribs
Like the tour guide said, if you did not taste this dish, then it is a complete waste to visit Wuxi. Wuxi style of cooking is a little sweeter than other provinces in China. Though the ribs taste quite good overall but i still prefer western style of cooking like the one i had in Checkers Damansara or maybe Tony Romas.




3. Nanjing - Salted Duck
This dish share lots of similarities with Steamed Salted Chicken (In Cantonese, it is called "Yim Kuk Kai"), except that it is served cold, thus normally considered as starters. The meat is so so tender, i have not experienced it before.




4. Hangzhou - Dong Po Meat
Everyone in the team knows i like this dish alot till i am getting fatter lately because of too much indulgence. I was told that the inventor of this dish, Su Shi (or known Su DongPo) is not a chef, but a famous poet.

Excerpt from wikipedia
"It is said that, once during his free time, Su Dongpo decided to make stewed pork out of boredom. Then an old friend visited him in the middle of the cooking and challenged him to a game of Chinese chess. Su had totally forgotten of the stew during the game until a very fragrant smell came out from his kitchen and he was reminded of it. Thus Dongpo's Pork (東坡肉), a famous dish in Chinese cuisine, was discovered by accident."

I personally find that Hangzhou version of this dish is way much better than the local ones over in Klang Valley because it is less oily and much tender.




5. Suzhou - ??
Honestly, i did not have any local specialty when i arrived. So, could it be this?
There is a meaning behind the picture, if you understand Cantonese. So, no offense to Suzhou and its people. :o)


6. Optional - Mcdonalds Premium Grilled Chicken Sandwich
It has been my practise for many years now that everytime i visited a country, i will try its local menu not available worldwide. This one actually taste better than any other chicken sandwiches i have eaten, though Ramly is still the best. It has a oriental taste in it because it uses five spices to marinate *i think*. Very nice.