Hot Pot
As per my article from last week, I had a quick visit to see my grandma who was recently hospitalized. Despite the slightly somber atmosphere, I did get the chance to change my Canadian palate and try some locally beloved dishes.
There were so many things I craved that I was ecstatic to try again. These are a few things I tried in the 4 days I was living in Shanghai, China.
Hot pot:
One of the meals I was craving this time before I departed from my short stay was hot pot. Where I stayed in Shanghai felt wet and cold, quite different from the Calgary dry winters. My aunt, grandma, and I visited a hot pot restaurant chain. They specialized in Cheng Du hotpot that was incredibly authentic. There was a thick layer of chili floating at the surface of the broth. It also featured a lot of peppercorns which offered a numbing or “ma la” type of spicy. The sensation on the palate produce a tingling effect when consumed. The heat from the spice comes from authentic dried chili peppers. This time we ordered an assorted combo including shrimp paste, marbled beef, tripe, and tofu skin.
Spicy Skewers
Spicy skewers
These are skewers sold along the street that give an authentic experience and flavor of China. If you’re into street food the way I am, these are a must-try! I tried an assortment of vegetarian skewer options including tofu skin, fried tofu and vegetarian chicken. These are so delicious and make me think that being a vegetarian in Asia isn’t so bad.
Grilled Fish Pot
Grilled fish pot:
This is a new trending dish in China. You have the option to pick from several live fish varieties, and the restaurant prepares the fish by first grilling it on a charcoal grill, then transferring the fish into a sizzling bowl of soup. The broth is so incredibly flavorful. We decided to order a green pepper fish which features fresh chili peppers and an assortment of sides. The fish was so tender and, despite being someone who rarely eats fish, this was definitely a delicious main course that I wouldn’t mind having every day.
Xiao long bao
Xiao long bao
One of the Shanghainese classics I couldn’t leave without trying is Xiao Long Bao (XLB). XLB is featured in many dim sum restaurants. With its rich brothy interior, the dumplings of XLB are never dry and so packed full of flavor. These are small, pleated dumplings that are steamed within bamboo steamers. Typically at home,d I purchase these that are pre-packaged from Costco, however, trying freshly made XLB was a treat on my trip. It’s worth knowing that, sometimes, specialty restaurants will add crab into the filling giving a burst of seafood flavors.