ChinaEncounters

A Tea From the Jungle Enriches a Placid Village

Link: A Tea From the Jungle Enriches a Placid Village - New York Times

Article onn Puer Tea from Yunnan, the birthplace of tea as a drink.

Snack Paradise -- Beijing Review

Link: Snack Paradise -- Beijing Review.

Maybe it's because of the fine and beautiful scenery, the gentle and elegant taste, and the consistent prosperous economy since ancient times that people living around the Yangtze River estuaries have developed an exquisite and particular attitude to life, which is reflected in their refined cuisine. Exquisite snacks there are a feast for the eyes and enough to make any mouth water with anticipation.

The snacks from around the Yangtze River estuaries are diverse, beautiful, delicious and also seasonal. Eating different snacks in different seasons is not only a long tradition, but also a reflection of the delicate taste of life.

Halal Restaurants in Shanghai « Islam in China

Link: Halal Restaurants in Shanghai « Islam in China.

Shanghaiist: Dianping's Shanghai specialty must-eats

Dates just before the October national holiday:  top restaurant review website Dazhong Dianping (roughly "Reviews by/for the Masses") has posted a list of the best locations to indulge in five of Shanghai's local specialties:

Link: Shanghaiist: Dianping's Shanghai specialty must-eats.

Can you Understand Dish Names in China?

Wang Jianshou olffers some very good understanding on why dishes on Chinese menus are often decribed so wonderfully. 

Link: Can you Understand Dish Names in China?.

"The Chinese dish names, in contrast, are completely irrelevant from the ingredients. Cooks tend to think of a very short and beautiful name for the dishes. Typical Chinese dish names are only four characters long, and when you read it, it sounds like a short poem. To name or to guess what the name stands for is an interesting game for cooks and diners."

He goes on to give some wonderful - and somewhat challenging examples!

How to Order Chinese Food Dot Com - Main Page

This is a great website with volumes of descriptions of chinese dishes from ahost of regions, organised regionally and by type (pork, chicken, veg, soup, dumplings, etc) and will son have printable pdfs to order from.

Link: How to Order Chinese Food Dot Com - Main Page.

How to use Chopsticks

Great video on YoiuTube on use of chopsticks.

And a guide here:  How to use chopsticks in seven easy steps