3 Most Weirdest and Unique Chinese Dishes

Chinese pride themselves on eating a wide range of foods, and Chinese cuisine often has an interesting history. This article lists five unique Chinese foods, which you can taste when travelling in China. Although the Chinese restaurants in Doha have adapted to the local tastes, we bring to you some of the unique chinese dishes you can request next time you visit one.

1. Beggar's Chicken (叫花鸡)

If you are planning to travel to Hangzhou, Beggar's Chicken is a highly recommended dish.

Features: It is a typical Zhejiang dish, with savory aroma and tender chicken meat. The chicken is served on a lotus leaf, and tastes fresher and less greasy.

Origin: Once upon a time, a beggar arrived at a village of Changshu Prefecture, Hangzhou. He had a chicken, and wanted to cook it. But he had no thing but a knife and a fire. He solved his difficulty by slaughtering and gutting the chicken, wrapping the chicken with yellow mud (without plucking it), and roasting the potato-like chicken. When he peeled off the dry mud, the chicken's feathers were also taken off.

Though the modern cooking of beggars chicken is largely identical to the beggar’s, it has been improved a lot, being much cleaner, more technical, and heathier.

Where to taste it: Beggar's chicken is widely served in Hangzhou’s restaurants. The best one for tasting beggar's chicken is Louwailou Restaurant (楼外楼), where it coats 168 yuan.

2. Bamboo Rice (竹筒饭)

Bamboo Rice of Zhuang ethic group

Bamboo rice is always cooked with rice and pork, which is cooked in a section of fresh green bamboo till the bamboo is seared. This food is delicious with the fresh fragrance of bamboo.

Where to taste it: Bamboo rice can be found in many places, especially where there are Dai minority and Yao minority people. Hence, you can have a taste when traveling to Yuannan Province(especially Xishuangbanna), Guilin (especially in the minority villages of Longsheng County), Guizhou Province (especially in the minority villages of Kaili), and Taiwan (Ali Mountain area).

Join one of our China minority discover tours to experience the colorful minority customs and relish their dishes with unique flavors. 

3. Preserved Egg (皮蛋)

Shiny dark grey or black with s snowflake pattern, this unique egg product was created by Chinese people in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Besides its unique taste, it is said that the preserved egg is useful for on curing hoarseness and dispelling the effects of alcohol.

Ways to eat: Many traditional Chinese restaurants serve dishes made with preserved eggs. Soup cooked with preserved eggs and mustard  leaves (皮蛋芥菜汤), minced pork congee with preserved egg (皮蛋瘦肉粥, which can be found in KFC in China during breakfast time), and braised preserved eggs with tofu (皮蛋豆腐) are the most popular ways of eating preserved eggs.

Attention: Do not eat too many preserved eggs, especially children, because they may contain a little lead (like popcorn). Certified lead-free preserved eggs are available.

Source-http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/article-unique-food.htm

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Feast In the Middle East: Eating Out in Qatar

During our week in Qatar, we explored the various culinary offerings of Doha, the capital city. The Middle East is known for its love of lamb, and in Qatari cuisine, the meat is used to create especially juicy kebabs. The best kebabs, which are smothered in rich, creamy sauces, or packed into pitas, along with vegetables and hummus, are found in the Souq Waqif, Doha's traditional Arab market.

Each Arab restaurant offers a wide variety of hummus dishes, whether on its own or mixed with vegetable and meat ingredients. My favourite hummus dish was one mixed with ground lamb, ground beef, and small crisp cubes of fat which melted in your mouth. When smeared on a slice of pita, the concoction tasted divine.

Approximately one-fifth of Qatar's population hails from India, so there is no shortage of restaurants serving Indian cuisine. As a lover of curry, I found this deliciously good news. On our third night, I ate a mouth-watering lamb curry. The lamb had absorbed the sauce like a sponge. It was the perfect curried dish.

If you are not adventurous enough to stray too far from your usual Western diet, simply head to a mall or The Pearl, Doha's upcoming high-end shopping district. At The Pearl, we had dinner at Carluccio's, a UK-based chain restaurant. I ordered an exceptionally meaty pasta, while my colleagues, Elaine Ng and Tim Ziegler, ordered a triumphant lasagna. The lasagna was as big as my head and had been baked in a thick casing of cheese. Cutting into the lasagna revealed a gorgeous core of tomato and lamb sauce, which oozed out at the corners. The lasagna at Carluccio's is reason enough for someone to want to live in Doha.

Fast Food in Qatar

If you are looking for fast food, Qatar has you covered. This is evident by the expanding waistlines you see on the street and the numerous diabetes education campaigns visible in malls and other public areas.

For example, the food court at the City Centre Mall in Doha has all the necessities of what has become known as the North American diet. To your left, Subway is written in Arabic; in front of you stands a McDonald's; and to your immediate right, both Colonel Sanders and the Burger King smile upon you.

Since the chain is known to set the standard of fast food around the globe, I decided to approach McDonald's. I was surprised to find items no longer available in Canada on their menu, including the Cheeseburger Royale and the Big Tasty. Also, their prices are lower than I expected (just US$4.39 for a Big Mac Meal). I decided to go for the McArabia. Geared to the local palate, the McArabia consists of two grilled chicken breasts on a pita topped with fresh tomato slices and diced lettuce. But in order not to make it too healthy (heaven forbid), the concoction is smothered in various creamy sauces. The McArabia is a tasteful novelty, but I still prefer my Big Mac.

Domestic Qatari fast food consists mainly of kebab and shawarma, which is usually grilled in front of you and costs next to nothing (e.g., US$2.75 for two kebabs). Unlike the kebabs in higher-end Arab restaurants, which are served on a bed of rice, street kebabs are wrapped in pitas. If you decide to go domestic: watch your place in line; and, if you hesitate when ordering, you risk being pushed out of the queue.

The Coffee Culture of Qatar

Qatar also has a prominent coffee bar culture. At the traditional Middle Eastern coffee bars you can still order a cappuccino, but the more adventurous type chooses something stronger. I chose Turkish coffee.

Turkish coffee came to the Arabian Peninsula with the Ottoman Empire, which held influence over the Middle East until its collapse at the culmination of the First World War. Noted for its strong flavour and prominent caffeine kick, Turkish coffee is not for amateurs. Having visited the Middle East before and previously tried it, I thought I could handle its bite. I asked our waiter for the strongest concoction they could brew.

It came to my table in a small brass decanter accompanied with an espresso-sized cup. The coffee oozed out of the decanter like wet sand and, before tasting it, I waited for the coffee grounds to settle. The taste overwhelmed my senses and the coffee stuck to my teeth and to the sides of my mouth. Immediately I felt uncomfortably awake. With my heart pounding, my head clouded and my brow sweating, I engaged my companions in fast conversation about controversial topics.

For those who do not care for coffee, Turkish or other, why not try shisha? The pastime of smoking shisha came to the Middle East via India sometime during the 16th century, and despite periodic bans, has become a common scene in Middle Eastern coffeehouses. I tried shisha when travelling to Iran as a student, and the process is more or less the same throughout the Middle East. Tobacco is the standard product smoked in shisha, but other non-tobacco herb products may be substituted. It is worth noting that although smoking these alternative herb products is still harmful, they do not have the addictive qualities of tobacco.

Coffeehouses serving shisha are easily recognizable by a collection of large waterpipes. A waterpipe consists of a perpendicular glass tube with a small metal bowl attached to its top. The bottom of the tube is submerged in a bowl of water to which hoses are attached. A man, called a fireboy, packs heaping wads of sticky flavoured tobacco or herb product into the metal bowl, over which he piles red-hot coals. Then, he gives you a sanitized mouthpiece which is connected to one of the hoses. You are ready for shisha.

Inhaled through the mouth, the smoke travels from the hot coals, through the tobacco or herb product, down the glass tube, through the water, and exits by the hose into the mouthpiece held between your lips. The smoke, which has been cooled by the water, tastes like a lightly flavoured summer breeze. You feel lightheaded. Relaxed. The best way to pass an afternoon.

Source:www.hziegler.com/articles/eating-out-qatar.html

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Top 10 restaurants in Doha

Despite Qatar being a small country just off the Arabian peninsula, its position in the world both economically and culturally has brought with it a treat of diverse and multicultural cuisines. The country’s capital, Doha, is home to a number of local and international restaurants catering to all tastes. We revisit Doha restaurants to find out whether its cuisine is still world class.

The Cellar

Opened in 2010, the Cellar has grown in recognition and is now one of the most popular restaurants in Doha. The simple yet elegant décor is matched by its fine selection of Mediterranean tapas. The wine list, as you’d expect, is extensive and thoughtfully complements the flavours of the Spanish dishes. On Tuesdays, the all-you-can-eat tapas with three glasses of wine is a very reasonable treat. Amongst other exquisite dishes, the tapas includes grilled salmon with fennel and orange, oven-baked hammour with chickpea puree, tuna tartar with avocado, and herb crusted mussels.

Ipanema

Ipanema is an exciting Brazilian restaurant whose concept is to offer guests an all-you-can-eat experience. There is a buffet of straight-forward pastas and salads, but the main draw for the crowds is the Brazilian churrascaria, which offers diners over a dozen cuts of grilled Brazilian meat on skewers. Cooked on a traditional oven pit, guests can choose from tender picanha, linguiça, char-grilled chicken or lamb. With a vibrant and lively atmosphere the restaurant comes alive at night, with a live band playing Brazilian songs as you eat.

Layali

Layali is often cited as the best Lebanese restaurant in Qatar, even winning the Best Middle Eastern Cuisine Award from Time Out Doha magazine in 2012. Encapsulating all the best bits of Arabic cuisine, Layali combines great food, warm hospitality, and relaxing shishas in a setting akin to a Moorish palace. As the midday sun cools off slightly, Layali’s atmosphere transforms into a buzzing hub packed with locals and tourists alike. The food includes salads, cold and hot mezze, charcoal grills and a wide selection of seafood, completed with traditional Lebanese coffee and desserts. As a perfect accompaniment to the great food, there is live tarab music, with the oud taking centre stage. For a true Arabic experience in a city often striving for Western refinement, Layali is the perfect place to relax in style.

Mykonos

Mykonos is an authentic Greek restaurant close to Doha’s waterfront, with some of the best views in the city. Joining the already impressive list of restaurants in the InterContinental Hotel, Mykonos cooks up a selection of traditional Greek dishes in the relaxing Mediterranean-themed interior. The menu includes a range of traditional dishes, from perfectly dressed salads, taramosalata and tzatziki to moussaka. Coming highly recommended are the meat skewers marinated with a creamy and aromatic tzatziki dip. As it is part of a hotel complex the restaurant can serve alcohol, and does so to full effect through its extensive cocktail menu.

Prime Steakhouse

Prime is an essential destination for all steak lovers, and was recently awarded Doha's best Steakhouse by Time Out in 2013.The restaurant’s ethos is to serve big and bold dishes with a consistently fine selection of different cuts of meat cooked to perfection. Customers choose four cuts: tenderloin, rib-eye, T-bone and striploin from USA Prime, Australian Kobe, or Wagyu. The Wagyu steak is one of the finest in theMiddle East, and comes highly recommended. As well as beef steaks, a wider selection of dishes are available, including foie gras, rack of lamb, beef carpaccio and sea bass.

Ric’s Kountry Kitchen

For a truly indulgent experience, visitors to Qatar are recommended to visit Ric’s Kountry Kitchen. A country kitchen would have connotations of a small restaurant with peaceful surroundings; however, this American diner isn’t what you would expect at all. Located in downtown Doha, Ric’s has been an institution in Doha since it opened in 1997, and as a result, is one of the oldest restaurants in the country. The feel-good menu is a pleasingly gluttonous affair, but unlike the greasy burgers you would expect from a diner, everything, including the burger buns, is homemade. Expect big burgers, traditional pancakes, tender steaks, big breakfasts and of course, Ric’s famous apple pie. Ric’s is popular with both locals and expatriates, thanks to its friendly atmosphere typical of a diner in the States.

Quisine by Guy Savoy

This restaurant, run by the Michelin star chef Guy Savoy, is a culinary delight in the heart of Doha. The minimalist interior of the restaurant is detailed with sophisticated touches such as the ‘wall of flames’, which adds a romantic atmosphere to the cosy space. The food is inspired by a number of international cuisines, presented in a wholly unique style. The artichoke and black truffle soup, layered brioche with mushrooms and truffles is an exquisitely presented and indulgent treat.

Ruby Wu’s

Inside Doha’s Radisson Blu Hotel, it comes as some surprise to hear that there is a small Chinatown. Creating authentically traditional Chinese cuisine, in Qatar Ruby Wu’sspecialities include steamed chicken and shrimps dumpling (siew mei) and its Szechuan stir-fried prawns and cashew nuts. Located close to some of Doha’s best bars, the restaurant is an ideal stop-off before a night out. Serving traditional Chinese dishes from various regions reimagined for western tastes, the service is attentive and, considering prices in Qatar, it is also really good value for money.

Saffron Lounge

Winning best Indian restaurant of the year for four consecutive years, Saffron is regularly cited as one of the best Indian restaurants in the whole of Qatar. Set up in 2009 by Michelin star Chef Vineet Bhatia, the restaurant cooks up a combination of regional dishes. The interior is clad with hues of red, reflecting the colours seen in the spicy and vibrant dishes. One dish in particular, the finger tandoori lamb chops with corn korma biryani rice and pomegranate and mint raita, comes highly recommended. Afterwards, the tea lounge offers a variety of tea blends, a welcomed palate cleanser after the flavoursome main.

Vine

Vine mixes the tranquility of Arabian hospitality with everything great about international cuisine. The white marbled interior of the elegant restaurant is illuminated through high-arched windows and is an ideal place to relax in the evening. Fresh ingredients are used to create its international buffet, with a huge number of items on the menu. Vine is best known for its Friday Brunch BBQ, which cooks some of the best ribs in town. Combined with the good food, the sweeping views of the Arabian Gulf on the terrace is a perfect way to start your weekend.

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Malaysian Food Delights

It’s not the most talked about country, but when it comes to dining, there is probably no other place with such an incredible – and mouthwatering – array of food choices in the whole region than Malaysia.

Saucy chicken cuts, vegetarian food, a plethora of rice dishes, all sorts of steamed and barbequed fish, and a paradise of noodles.  It is probably because of such an intricate variety – obvious reflection of the country’s diverse ethnic mélange – that most visitors may have a problem choosing what they like best, or what they should try first.

To help you get the best out of your Malaysian food experience, here are 10 of the most authentic, delicious, and readily available dishes you may find on offer at any Malaysian street corner and restaurant. Moreover, they are good to suit all sorts of travel budgets. Be advised, though: you will need to be comfortable around spicy food in order to fully appreciate the best that Malaysian cuisine has to offer. To help you, I have indicated a 1 to 5 point spice grading for each item.

There is definitely much more to be learned about Malaysian food. However, after reading the following 10 suggestions, you will be able to order confidently your favorite delicacies without making the locals queuing behind you go “gila”…

1: Nasi lemak

Spice-o-meter: 3 out of 5

If there is a quintessential Malay staple rice dish, that is nasi lemak. Literally meaning “butter rice,” it is a simple white rice dish spruced up with almonds, dried anchovies, cucumber, boiled eggs, and spicy sambal sauce. You may find it in two different varieties: the simple street version packed in a banana leaf and conceived to be swiftly consumed sitting on a stool at a street stall, or the more “up market” kind served in restaurants on a plate. The difference usually comes with pricing, where a street side nasi lemak may cost you as low as 1 ringgit (around $0.33USD), while the one served on a plate may reach up to 6 ringgit ($2), according to the quantity of side choices that are offered along with the rice. To many, this is the essential dish representing the Malay Muslim majority and is not to be confused with Nasi goreng, or better, the different fried rice variety.

2: Satay

Spice-o-meter: 1 out of 5

This is barbeque, Malaysian style.  Feast on different chicken, lamb, or beef mini skewers perfectly roasted on a fire grill and served together with a sweet-sour crumbled peanut sauce.

The most daring may try the cow intestines, definitely a bit more chewy than the others, but totally enjoyable. You may also try the squid satay, which is generally served at most street stalls lining the Malaysian coastline. The specialty of satay is the mildly spicy peanut sauce served with your skewers.  By skipping the dip, you would not really savor satay’s unique flavor. A perfect companionship for those long-lasting Malaysian sunsets spent sitting at a street stall or relaxing at a beach’s esplanade, preferably with Tiger beer in hand.

3: Char koay teow

Spice-o-meter: 2 out of 5

This kind of fried noodles is typically Malaysian: flat, wide noodles are served together with fried egg, green lettuce, bean sprouts, and seafood.  This constitutes one of the country’s not-to-miss dishes. It comes in a Chinese and Malay version – the former being drier and the latter heavier on prawn and minced seafood. Char koay teow differs in each region, and different cities provide a slightly different mix of the ingredients, with each one adding local flavor. One of the most delicious and famous is definitely Penang island’s, where you can literally find char koay teow anywhere you look for food.

4-Hokkien mee

Spice-o-meter: 4 out of 5

Typical noodle staple dish of the Malaysian Chinese community, hokkien mee is a hot bowl of steamy noodles cooked with prawn, boiled egg, chilies, and spices. To me, this is possibly the best, most representative noodle dish in the country. You can choose white, yellow, or glass noodles, or a mix of the three, to slightly modify the taste and the way your noodles will absorb the spicy broth. Make sure you have a drink and some tissues on you, as hokkien mee can literally “open up” your sinuses! Hokkien mee is recommended for hot nights and monsoon days. Again, Penang has some of the best in the country.

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Food and Drink in Qatar

Find out about traditional Qatari cuisine and the typical Qatari meals, dishes and ingredients to be found throughout the country...

Food in Qatar reflects Muslim food preferences, and it is rich in African, Indian and Iranian influences, as well as offering modern international favourites.
Traditionally, Qatari people ate lightly in the morning and evening and had their main meal in the middle of the day. This habit is changing with many families having their main meal in the evening. For many people, the Friday midday meal following prayers is the week's main family gathering. During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims fast between dawn and dusk. Elaborate, festive meals are served after nightfall. Eating and drinking in public during daylight hours in Ramadan is prohibited for all, whether fasting or not.
Qatari people are very proud to be hospitable which reflects their Bedouin heritage, and food and drink play an important role in this. People may take offence if visitors turn down food and drinks that are offered. Eating is considered to be an important social and family ritual, and it is customary for people to taste and share a large number of dishes during a meal.

Eating Out

The ever increasing influence of global food choices in recent years has led to many restaurants and fast food franchises opening in Qatar. They are mainly used by foreigners, as eating in public places is not popular with Qataris, especially women. However, they do use the delivery and drive through services offered by many restaurants. American fast food restaurants are very popular with young people with the many international chains being well represented.

There are numerous world class restaurants in Doha, many of which are located in hotels. There are many Italian, French, Swiss, Greek, British, Indian, Chinese, American and Spanish restaurants to choose from. As well as the wide range of hotel options there are small eating places, though these are not allowed to serve alcohol.

Many places sell snacks with the traditional showarma being very popular. It is lightly spiced grilled lamb or chicken served rolled in a pocket of Arabic bread with salad, pickles, lime juice and tahini. Falafel and sandwiches are other common snack choices.
Milkshakes and cocktail juices are very popular and are readily available in the many juice bars to be found in the country.

Source: http://qatar.angloinfo.com/lifestyle/food-and-drink/

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