Cicada Pupas (I searched a lot on the web to find its English name).

Scorpions in assorted sizes and colors.

Actually you can find more of these gut-testing roast stuff at Wangfujing. I’ll come back with more pics once I go there.

Now, imagine these in your mouth.

Shanxi province, located at the middle-west part of China, is famous for their wheat food, such as noodles and stuffed steamed bread.

I stumbled across this nice little restaurant on Bei Xinqiao Street and my stomach refused to go on without tasting some of their delicious western China cuisine.

Stepping inside the restaurant you are immediately surrounded by elements of the traditional western China culture. The paper cuts, little sculptures of farm animals, artcrafts used in ancient sacrificing ceremonies, and some very lovely paintings showcasing the farmers’ lives.

Here comes the famous Shaozi Noodle (noodle with mashed assorted vegetables). Note the 2 empty bowls at the background, I already had several other very tasty local side dishes before the noodle!

I got so sleepy with my full stomach when I walked out the restaurant with satisfaction and new hope for the world, and forgot to take note of the name of the restaurant. But you can find it easily beside the only Dao Xiangcun Supermarket on Bei Xinqiao Street. If you are visiting the Lama Temple, why not try out here since they are just a block away? It’ll make your day!

A great number of people are not satisfied with the officials’ dismissal and resignation and call for criminal penalties.

According to Article 144 of the PRC Criminal Law,

“A person who mixes the food to be produced or sold with toxic or harmful non-food stuffs, or sells the food mixed with toxic or harmful non-food stuffs that he knows clearly, shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not more than five years or criminal detention and concurrently or independently, to a fine of not less than half and not more than two times of the sale; if a serious food-poisoning accident or any other serious disease caused by food-borne bacteria is caused, thus seriously harming human health, to fixed-term imprisonment of not less than five years and not more than ten years and concurrently to a fine of not less than half and not more than two times of the sale; and if death of a person or an especially serious harm to human health is caused, shall be sentenced in accordance with the provisions of Article 141 of this Law (to fixed-term imprisonment of not less than ten years, life imprisonment or death and concurrently to a fine of not less than half and not more than two times of the sale or confiscation of property).”

Sources: http://cq.cqnews.net/sz/zwyw/200809/t20080924_2305965.htm

What’s on the manufacturers’ mind? They make billions each year if not each month. They can afford to use the biggest sport stars like Liu Xiang and the whole National Diving Team to shoot commercials. They can afford to sponsor the Olympics. The owners are frequent visitors of major nationwide TV shows. They are like stars, heroes, savoirs of the nation. They still care to use poison, just to make the milk a little richer in Protein.

Most manufacturers that have been found using Melamine (pronunciation in Chinese is similar to “no life”) are those who used to be entitled to inspection exemption. Why the hell a food manufacturer should be exempted from inspection of their products? Just because they have passed the inspection for 3 consecutive times? I believe they must have paid well. Working for the business administrative bodies is one of the most lucrative jobs here. Imagine the money to be made if some one wants that exemption so bad.

Why would they want it so bad? Because it’s a huge marketing hype. People believe whatever products that are exempted from inspection must be good and safe. Why would something that has not been inspected can be good and safe? Because we trust the system.

How naive. How ironic. How sad.

Actually this is not the first time. 13 babies died from using low quality milk in Anhui Province last year. The babies were called Big Head Babies because they got Edema in their head from drinking the milk. I figure this time the babies will be called Stone Babies because they got stones in their kidney?

Nothing improved after the first tragedy last year.

Why?

Because they don’t care. Simple as that.

Proof?

Proof No. 1: patients have reported illness drinking the milk 8 months ago. Hebei provincial government did nothing for 2 months after the manufactuer itself have admitted using Melamine.

Proof No. 2: according to CCTV News, the poisonous milk is safe to drink for adults if less than 2 Liters a day. They still want to save the market!

Proof No. 3: turn on the TV. All is about the space shuttle.

The babies, future of the nation, suns at 8 a.m. like Chairman Mao said are being poisoned to death. What’s the point of shooting so many space shuttles?

Hidding in a crowded Hutong between Dongsi Batiao and Dongsi Jiutiao, Wuge Roast Chicken Wings is undoubtly the most famous, not only for the crispy and flavored taste of roast chicken wings, but also for the style and character of the place and its owners. The restaurant is also recognized as the first of its type and the one that started all. Like most roast chicken wing restaurants, main flavors they offer are original, medium hot, single-side hot, double-side hot, and the ULTIMATE INSANE HOT. You must call to reserve places at least one day prior, and you must be specific about the number of people going and the hours between which you are going to stay. Remember this by heart because if you fail to come on time, the places will be given to others without notice. And if you don’t finish your food and leave at the specified time, while, the daughter of Wuge is charming, and friendly most of the time, you still need to get ready to be kicked on your ass . In addition, don’t yell to the waitresses for beer because they won’t respond. You will have to grab them yourselves from the fridge. And, remember, don’t ever try to hide empty bottles when checking out, you will only humiliate yourself. Their phone number is 010-64001626. Average cost per person is around 50 RMB. If you are lost in the Hutong, ask the neighborhood or look for the smoke .

Also located in a Hutong near Xidan shopping centers, Xidan Roast Chicken Wings is another well-known spot for premium roast chicken wings. The restaurant is always crowded with mouth-wartered customers, so you need to call days earlier to secure a place. Of course you can try your luck to pay a visit without calling first, but you must don’t mind losing your grace by having the roast chicken wings standing outside of the door, amongst numerous others. Recommended flavors are original and medium hot. The taste is a little more mixed than Wuge’s, you’ll need to stretch your tongue to experience the minor but surprising difference. Call them at 010-66032605 to secure a place. Average cost per person is 40 RMB. Remember also to try the roast steam bread and numerous cold dishes, you won’t regret it.

Originally opened near the west gate of Peking University, Peng’s West Gate Roast Chicken Wings is now operating near the west gate of another most prestigious university in China, Tsinghua University. Old customers, mainly university students, say that the flavor has changed after the move, but the restaurant is still crowded, especially during weekends. Apart from their famous crispy roast chicken wings, they also offer roast vegetables and Geda Soup (dough drop and assorted vegetable soup). Since most customers are students, the average cost is the lowest among similar restaurants. Only 35 RMB per person. You can call them at 010-62555915.

Xingyue Bar Roasts, another famous restaurant offering quality roast chicken wings is now moved to No. 78, South 3rd Road of Zhongguancun. Space is the largest comparing with the above, and some of the waitresses and waiters are equipped with wireless communication devices for efficiency purpose. The roast chicken wings they offer have a medium taste of garlic, which make them stand out from the others. Cost per person is around 40 RMB. Phone number is 010-62566703.

Now, my personal recommendation goes to the 2008 Roast Chicken Wing Originality Award (I made it up) winner Chuanmen! The small restaurant became famous among neighborhood really quick for their continuous effort on creativity. Among all the common flavors, you can find roast chicken wings in the taste of honey, cumin (jeera), curry, wasabi, and others. And don’t forget to try the TERMINATOR ULTIMATE INSANE SUPER HOT flavor, I’m sure you’ll remember it for life . Due to their fast success and the recent opening of the new branch at Dongsi Street, sometimes the chicken wings are not fully cooked. But the owner is happy to replace it for you with no additional cost. Also try their roast clams, banana bread, and pineapple bread. See, I wasn’t joking on their creativity!

But, when was the last time that you actually enjoyed a piece of moon cake? There are 100 times more types of flavors than before. The manufacturers brain storm every day in their offices trying to think of new flavors and stuffings so that they will have another hype to market with. Some even made “golden” moon cakes that sells 9,999 RMB per piece. Well packaged and overly priced moon cakes are proliferating in every supermarket, department store, local grocery, and even online shop. They become a new type of gift that you can give to your friends, parents, and bosses as a sign of friendship, love, and loyalty (or a reminder for promotion?). We just don’t eat them anymore. They travel from hands to hands until they get rotten in trash.

Years ago, most moon cakes were home made. No fancy packaging and complicated stuffing, and they even seemed ugly from the outside. But, they tasted DELICIOUS! Having moon cakes was an important part that every family member anticipates on the day of the festival. Followed by various celebrations, Mid-Autumn Festival used to be a major event of the year. Now it’s no different with any other day. Except that parents may have an opportunity to see their children coming back from other cities (this was impossible until the government agreed to issue a 3 day vacation last year).

I don’t eat moon cakes any more and I don’t have any anticipation for the festival because I feel that a very important ingredient is missing. I really wonder what it is.

Do you have similar feelings towards traditional festivals? No matter if you are a native Chinese or from overseas, share your thoughts by leaving your comments below.