Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Guizhou Chicken Pot

Here's something you don't see everyday-Chicken pot! I had a mala chicken pot from Spring Trinity in North Point in Hong Kong. After you finish eating the chicken from the pot, the servers pour pork bone soup into the pot to shabu shabu. 

You choose which veggies and meat you want to add to your shabu! 
 

 It was very tasty. A little on the spicy side! 

 
I'd say you'd need at least 3 people to enjoy this dish. It's a very filling and big dish. They don't offer individual mini pots so come hungry and come ready to share!

Happy Eatings! 

Monday, February 18, 2013

Make Me Drool!

I told the guy to make me drool. I'd say he delivered, aye?




Cold cuts are so delicious and City Super in Hong Kong is one of my favorite places to wander around looking for food and snacks. I'm usually eating 3 things in my hand while trying to shop for other foods while I'm there. Damn you amazing Japanese supermarkets!

I'm posting from Hong Kong right now. I'll be back in L.A. in a few days. Until then, for the latest follow me on Instragram at: kristiehang


Happy Eatings!


Saturday, February 9, 2013

What's an Authentic Chinese New Year Meal?

Chinese people are very superstitious people. Depending on where you may be from, the New Year traditions can vary immensely. Certain fruits and foods are seen as auspicious in certain Chinese cultures are seen as a sign of bad luck in others. But let’s be serious, many of the so-called “Chinese New Year” meals you read about aren’t really special. Chinese people make up nice-sounding names for all the dishes and tell you that it’s a “unique” New Year dish. So, here’s your look into what’s in a real, authentic Chinese New Year dinner. This is what I had for my New Year Dinner.

(Here's my poon choy. Don't let the picture fool you, the pot is very deep.)

Poon Choy, which translates to Big Bowl Feast, is a traditional type of dish originating from Hong Kong. According to legend, it was said the dish was invented during the Song Dynsasty when Mongol troops invaded China. The locals apparently tried to aid the Emperor and his army which fled to Hong Kong and Guangdong, by collected whatever foods they had and threw it all into a big bowl.
(I was really full so I picked out just a few of my favorite things-abalone, fish maw, and sea cucumber.)

Today’s moden poon choy has ingredients such as abalone, ginseng, shark’s fin, duck, fish maw, crab, radish, shrimp, lamb, beef, chicken, mushroom, eel, squid, goose feet  tofu, to name a few. The dish is eaten with everyone using their chopsticks and mixing the food to bring good fortune in the coming year. 

 Another dish with similar meaning eaten for the New Year is “lo hay”.  “Lo hay” is particularly a South East Asian custom very popular in certain regions of China as well. Lo hay is, is a dish filled with vegetables, crackers, nuts, sweet and sour sauce, spices, raw salmon, and fruit. Each of the ingredients symbolizes some form of prosperity.
 (Some mixing in action!)


Everyone then raises their chopsticks and mixes the platter by picking up the items with their chopsticks. This action is to signify good luck by mixing all these symbolic forms of prosperity.

Happy Lunar New Year!





Thursday, February 7, 2013

Need Valentine's Day Plans?


Valentine's Day is right around the corner. I'm currently on a short trip to Hong Kong, but for my L.A. readers, here are some ideas for your V-Day or Single Awareness Day out with Friends! DineLA may be over, but here is your next chance! 




For lovebirds who are true foodies at heart, the Downtown Center Business Improvement District  has put together a few “Romance in the City” dinners, including:
  • Four-course Valentine’s Day Dinner – For fun and flirty Mexican food, Border Grill is offering its V-day package for $65/person excluding tax and gratuity. MentionDowntownLA.com when making a Valentine’s Day reservation and get a Free Border Guacamole with purchase of a prix-fixe dinner.
  • Fine Dining on Historic Bunker Hill – At the Omni Hotel, couples can celebrate Valentine’s Day at its romantic Noé Restaurant & Bar. Executive Chef Glen Ishii has prepared a special four-course menu for $75/person (excluding tax and gratuity) that includes entrée choices of Maple Leaf Duck Breast, Petite Filet or Butternut Squash Risotto. Receive a free glass of champagne by mentioning DowntownLA.com.
  • Downtown’s “Most Romantic” Dinner – Try the best in al fresco dining at Café Pinot, which offers a contemporary California menu all in a setting situated in Maguire Gardens with landscaped lawns shaded by olive and jacaranda trees and underneath the grand Central Library.
  • The Edison’s Valentine’s Celebration – Go back in time for a night of romance and entertainment in this world-class lounge with the Francesca Vannucci band. Complete Lover’s Dinner for two, complimented by Perrier Champagne, is $115 excluding tax and gratuity.
  • Chaya’s Love at First Bite – Chaya Downtown is offering a three-course selection of Chef Kenjo’s favorite romance-inspired menu for two topped of with a Valentine’s dessert medley that includes peanut butter soufflé glace with chocolate sauce; chocolate-dipped strawberries and a heart- shaped strawberry shortcake for $65/person excluding tax and gratuity. 
For the full list of love-ly Valentine’s Day dining, hotel packages and activities in the heart of the city, visit DowntownLA.com/valentines


Happy Eatings!