❤️“I may have ruined my life, but at least I got to eat some really good Chinese food.” -Louis Sachar❤️
A wise adage has said that the key to enjoying every bite of your Chinese food is to never ask what is in it. However jokes aside, Chinese cuisine is without a doubt, one of the most flavorful dishes in the world. Years of practice has honed the culinary skills of various Chinese chefs and cooks which resulted to the right balance between sweet and sour, tangy and salty and those beloved dishes with just a hint of spice. As the Chinese are widely versed in food culture, it is no question that food would be one of the main highlights whenever tourists would swarm mainland China.
With diverse dishes offered, an indulgent and delicious food tour would be indispensable. But for those of us who are unable to visit China, our local counterparts in the form of authentic Chinese restaurants would have to do. Fortunately, there are a lot of Chinese restaurants in Manila to choose from. However, to make the most out of your experience, here are some of the best dishes you should try from their menus:
1.) Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings)
If you have a penchant for a traditional dim sum or just a hankering for a dumpling, try the Xiao Long Bao. These are Shanghai dumplings which are essentially filled with meat (usually pork or crab) slathered in a rich savory broth that would ooze out upon your first bite. This flavorful Chinese fare would certainly appeal to your taste buds better than any deep fried wontons and would certainly be worth the try.
2.) Cong You Bing (Scallion Pancakes)
In lieu of the traditional egg rolls, you regularly order in your favorite Chinese restaurant, try something a little similar but with more flavor such as the Cong You Bing or scallion pancakes. Egg rolls, unless correctly prepared, are usually deep-fried rolls of dough filled with meat and vegetables making for a greasy meal. Opt for something similar but with less oil instead such as scallion pancakes.
3.) Rou Jia Mo (Chinese Hamburgers)
Burger aficionados and pork bun lovers would rejoice over this delightful and indulgent Chinese snack. Rou Jia Mo or more commonly recognized as Chinese hamburgers are white steamed buns filled with stewed pork inside. The pork is seasoned and is cooked overnight in a large pot of spices such as cloves and cardamom making it incredibly tender by the time morning comes. It is a succulent dish and would make for a very filling snack.
4.) Peking Duck
No self-respecting Chinese dish connoisseur would ever walk into an authentic Chinese restaurant without ordering Peking Duck from the menu. Known as the Asian counterpart of the American turkey roast, the Peking Duck is more flavorful and a lot more tender than your Sunday roast chicken. This poultry dish is succulent and bursting with flavor that sauces are rendered unnecessary in enhancing its flavor. If you are a chicken enthusiast, this Chinese dish should be a part of your dinner fare in any Chinese restaurant.
5.) Xiang Rou Si (Shredded pork in hot garlic sauce)
You may have widely accepted beef with broccoli as a Chinese dish, but that has nothing on Yu Xiang Rou Si which is essentially a dish of shredded pork slathered in hot garlic sauce. It offers the unique play on food textures similar to the beef with broccoli dish, but it is a lot more flavorful. This spicy and Sichuan dish is usually sauteed with various vegetables, peppers, and mushrooms. Take it up a notch and instead of ordering your usual beef with broccoli, try this sauteed shredded pork with vegetables instead.
😏And so on.
What’s your favorite Chinese food?let me know 🍻🍻
