Chinese food
Why is a teahouse more than a café?
In Chengdu, the history of the teahouse is also a history of people meeting, talking and hearing news.
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Chinese food
Why does British tea have a Chinese beginning?
The most British-looking cup in the house carries a journey much longer than your walk to the kettle.
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Chinese food
Roast-duck ice cream exists
A Beijing summer market played with flavours people thought they knew. Trying one is optional; asking why it exists is half the fun.
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Chinese food
What would you eat at a Beijing night market?
Beijing's summer markets offer more than one idea of local food. The fun is choosing a route through the stalls, not pretending one snack represents a city.
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Chinese food
A French pastry with a Shanghai address
Shanghai's butterfly cracker began with a French pastry idea and became a local bakery favourite.
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Chinese food
Can three ingredients make a favourite?
Shanghai's scallion oil noodles show what happens when a very short ingredient list is handled with care.
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Chinese food
What makes beef noodles worth watching?
A pan of beef chow fun moves fast. The chef is trying to keep the noodles tender while giving some edges colour.
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Chinese food
Soup for dessert
Guangzhou's sweet soups can be warm or cool and change with the season. Dessert need not come on a plate.
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Chinese food
Why does a claypot announce dinner?
In Guangzhou, a sizzling claypot dish tells you it is coming before you have even seen inside.
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Chinese food
Can noodles get their bounce from bamboo?
Guangzhou's jook-sing noodles have a springy texture linked to an unusual way of working the dough.
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Chinese food
Is dim sum a single dish?
In Guangzhou, morning tea can mean choosing from a table of small dishes. The question is not just what to eat, but what to share.
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Chinese food
How do you eat soup inside a dumpling?
Xiaolongbao are little steamed parcels with hot broth inside. There is a reason people pause before the first bite.
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