Coke? I’ll Have a Plum Juice – Drinking like a Local in China
You’re in China and you’re thirsty. Across the street from your hotel is a convenient store, providing an easy solution to your cravings. But what do you choose to drink? Sure, you could always grab something familiar like a can of Coke or a bottle of orange juice…but why not sample some of the diverse local offerings instead? In this post read about each of the main drink types in China and hear our advice on which brands to pack in your daypack and which ones to leave on the shelf.
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Food Adventure – The Donkey Burger
One of my greatest food discoveries since arriving in China has got to be the donkey burger!
Now, if your reaction is similar to the average American, you’re probably a bit grossed out because we tend not to consider members of the equidae family as viable food options. But eating donkey is not much stranger than eating cow or pig or lamb…is it?! No, is totally in the same ballpark. Plus, with the prevalence of donkey meat venues in China, try something new? Live a little!
Now let me tell you more about this delicious treat. Donkey burgers or 驴肉火烧 Lurou huoshao…
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Hot Pot Primer
Hotpot restaurants offer some of the most authentic and tasty food in China so don’t let the steamed windows, sizzling peppers, and chili oil scary you away. The secret to a great hotpot meal is knowing how to order. Below is your hotpot primer so that you and the rest of your group can experience some dazzling local flavors.
The central aspect of any hot pot meal is of course the hot pot itself. There are 4 standard choices for types of broth: hot and spicy (popular in SiChuan – always available in varying degrees of spicy), not hot and not…
Read MoreLanguage Lesson #1
Me: Ooh this dish looks tasty.
Server: Would you like to order it?
Me: Is it meat?
Server: This is not a meat dish.
Me: Are you sure?
Server: I am sure its not meat.
Me: I’ll have it.
moments later…
Me: (to myself) This isn’t the dish I was expecting. Fuwuyuan! What is this dish?
Server: Why its our specialty…pig intestine.
Me: Didn’t I ask you if this was a meat dish before ordering?
Server: Yes, you did and I assured you that it was not. This is an organ dish, not a meat dish.
…and that is how I learned how to say internal organs in Chinese.
Happy Travels,
Jeff
Download a printable menu in PDF format that you can take to restaurants…
Read MoreOrdering Chinese Dishes
Here are a few simple dishes that are favorites of people across China.
Download a printable more complete menu in PDF format.
For Pictures of Chinese Dishes including the ones listed below please visit the link.
- Earth, Three, Fresh – 地三鲜 – Di San Xian – The dish is a succulent mix of potatoes, sweet peppers, and eggplant fried in a brown sauce. Mainly eaten in north eastern China but found throughout.
- Tomato Fried Eggs – 西红柿炒鸡蛋 – XiHongShi Chao JiDan. This ubiquitous dish is another icon of Chinese cooking. People say that eggs and tomato were made to be together and maybe that is…
Small Restaurants – Beijing
Lune Tours prides itself on personalized tours and personalized service. Too often tour groups are herded into large cafeteria restaurants to eat basic Chinese food before being rushed off to the next destination. And while sometimes this type of meal is necessary to meet time requirements, we know that people prefer more authentic and intimate dining experiences. So, for your benefit, we have prepared a list of our top 6 favorite small restaurants in central Beijing.
If you do not speak Chinese you can use the Lune Menu (PDF) to order at the restaurants below.
Pictures of some dishes are also available here:…
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I’m home – safe and sound, but a little tired! Overall, the trip was great. It exceeded my expectations. I want to again thank you for your invaluable help in planning and executing my trip to China. You worked hard for me, and I greatly appreciate it! I will certainly recommend your services and travel to China in the future! I am now working on what will be a hard bound, table book about my trip.
Anyone I meet who is considering a trip to China will certainly be given your name as your seamless operation and the security in having a local contact who was only a cellphone call away made for a very enjoyable adventure. Thank you for a most memorable trip!
Thanks again for helping us to put our trip together in such a wonderful way. We’re ready to go back to China again soon!
When my brother contracted high altitude pulmonary edema and we needed to quickly change tickets and secure my brother transport to the airport, your partner in Lhasa was able to change tickets for a nominal change fee and had my brother on the plane the next day. After that we knew for sure that we were in good hands with you.
We are in the Beijing airport after the most wonderful trip you planned for us. Loved every minute of it. Thanks for planning this trip for us. I will highly recommend you to our friends in Miami.
