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| Scallion Pancake |
Hello Again Nomsters,
I've returned with more scrumptious descriptions
of my tasting adventures in Beijing, China. I hope you guys weren't too grossed
out by the bug eating experience I described in my last post. As promised,
we’re moving on to bigger and better snacking in this update from The
Georgetown Foodie’s Nomming Across Asia series. If you hadn’t guessed from the
frequent reporting on traditional Chinese snacks, China has an extensive list
variety of options when it comes to exploring the street food scene. While most
doctors often cringe at the idea of sampling some of the slightly sketchy local
eateries in China, you only live once. So take a couple of educated risks during
your time abroad and try something new. Just be sure that your Hep shot is up
to date, and then feel free let your taste buds explore the nuances of a
fantastic foodie culture. If you’re headed to China in the near future here are
a few of my favorite options for beginners to the Beijing street food scene.
China’s capital boasts a wide array of street
fare, but some of the best is found at breakfast time. Whether you are
strolling down bustling car-filled streets or small alleyways lined with
hanging red lanterns and freshly washed clothing, you’re sure to find some good
tasting options. From little smoking carts to tiny walk-up window storefronts,
businessmen, city locals, and foodies often find themselves indulging in the
deliciousness of a street-side breakfast of egg crepes, scallion pancakes, and
baozi. With each item holding its own unique flavor, any of these breakfast
“pastries” will keep you full and having you say "hai you yige!"
(Meaning "one more!" in Chinese). Any of these three items will serve
as a good introduction to the Chinese ability to make tasty food fast and
portable.  |
| Egg Crepes |
First, egg crepes are pretty basic in concept, but
incredibly tasty. Made on a large griddle, a crepe-like batter is poured out,
topped with scrambled egg, chopped onion, and slathered with duck sauce, if
requested. After the crepe is cooked, it is folded, cut into triangles, and
placed into a plastic bag for an on-the-run breakfast or snack. These crepes
have a doughy consistency with a slightly salty/eggy taste and are the Chinese
equivalent to an omelet, but better because you can eat these with your hands!
If you're not quite interested in an egg crepe,
maybe a scallion
pancake
is a bit more your style. Packed with veggies and sometimes egg, these pancakes
are warm pockets of delectableness! Scallion pancakes are similar to McDonald’s
classic egg mcmuffin, with a bready outside and porous inside to soak in the juices
from its stuffing. Also, ff you
ask politely, the shopkeeper may even be willing to stuff your pancake with
some meat.
Finally, baozi—now, I really cannot say enough good
things about these amazing bundles of deliciousness. I will probably talk them
up too much, but honestly, if you go to the right place, they are incredibly
tasty. Baozi are steamed buns, sort of like dumplings, stuffed with a variety
of fillings. When abroad in China, you will find anything from vegetables and
meat, to lotus paste or custard in a baozi. The more you eat baozi, the better
you’ll understand that the sky literally is the limit of what could be inside
these breakfast buns. There's one type of baozi I particularly love. I
originally found it at a supermarket in Shanghai last summer. The specific bao
is called “niu rou sheng jian bao,” which roughly translates to “Beef Pan-Fried
Bun.” It's almost like a hamburger, but with thinner dough encasing juicy meat
and vegetables. Sheng jian bao are known for being placed in a shallow wok and
fried until the dough soaks up the juices and the bottoms are very crispy.
Lastly, if you're ever in Shanghai, the trip is not quite a success without
sampling "xiao long bao," which translates to “little dragon bun.”
This variety of baozi are special due to their thin wrapper and soup filled
insides xiao long bao are particularly famous in southern China, especially
Shanghai.
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| Qing Feng Baozi |
On this particular trip to Beijing, a group of
us ended up at Qing Feng Baozi, a small local restaurant. The baozi were pretty
amazing, definitely flavorful and juicy.
You can't really go wrong with any of these
Chinese breakfast options, so try one or try all three! If this post isn't
enough to convince you to nosh on an item from a Chinese breakfast cart, then
maybe the fact that most of the aforementioned items will cost you $.5-$.50
cents USD will encourage you to explore your options.
As always, let us know of
your own foodie adventures.
Until next time,
The Georgetown Foodie
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