From fiery hot Sichuan to sugary sweet Shanghainese

W, Beijing, China — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:28:41 GMT

The food was one of the main reasons why I came back to China after a few yrs in US.

From fiery hot Sichuan to sugary sweet Shanghainese

Annie, Grand Rapids, MI — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:36:02 GMT

I think they also use dog and cat meat in these dishes.

From fiery hot Sichuan to sugary sweet Shanghainese

The duck — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:17:27 GMT

This was not a good article to read mid morning. Now I'm hungry and its hours to lunch.

Hot Pot is my favorite btw.

From fiery hot Sichuan to sugary sweet Shanghainese

John G. Vancouver, B.C. — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:54:04 GMT

You don't need to go to China to sample Chinese food.
Vancouver has it all and more. Visit the 2010 Olympics in Whistler/Vancouver and you will see that you don't need to leave North America to sample the finest oriental food in the world. Oh, and did I mention the best Sushi in the world!! Trust me I've travelled a lot and know.

From fiery hot Sichuan to sugary sweet Shanghainese

Jen, New Jersey — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:15:40 GMT

John, you've obviously never been to Japan if you think Vancouver has the best sushi in the world!

From fiery hot Sichuan to sugary sweet Shanghainese

Gene Pate, Detroit, Mi — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:29:15 GMT

Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Landman: I assume your expressions of disgust were for the post from Annie of Grand Rapids, Mi. I also believe that cat and dog meat are used in some (not all) areas of China and other parts of Asia. However, try to be a little less provincial in your thinking. Remember, we human beings are omnivores, and while dogs and cats are seen as pets in our culture, that is not true everywhere else in the world. Our dislike of the thought of them as food is cultural, not dietetic. There are a lot of places in the world where some of our choices of things to eat are considered disgusting also. Like beauty is in the eye of the beholder so food is in the eye of the eater.

From fiery hot Sichuan to sugary sweet Shanghainese

Yuhong, Texas — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:51:19 GMT

Annie you made a good statement by starting with "I think".

From fiery hot Sichuan to sugary sweet Shanghainese

Ian, San Francisco, CA, USA, The Earth, Solar System, Milky Way, Our Universe — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:56:50 GMT

Sadly, John, you are sadly mistaken. I'm a Chinese guy, and no Chinese food in North America even comes CLOSE to matching the food in China. It's not only the fact that the best Chinese chefs are in China, it's that in North America, the ingredients (chicken, beef, pork, etc) are more suited for Western food, not Chinese. Oh, and somehow, Chinese McDonald's tastes better than over here. I have no idea why.

From fiery hot Sichuan to sugary sweet Shanghainese

Myriam, Cuyahoga Falls, OH — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:45:59 GMT

It would have been cool if you'd included a few receipes to go along with the article. I don't think we as Americans realized the diversity of other countries especially when American versions of Chinese food are so limited. It would have been nice to give us something else to try.

From fiery hot Sichuan to sugary sweet Shanghainese

Dean Chin, Hopatcong, NJ. — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:44:28 GMT

Not all Chinese eat dogs. No Chinese anywhere in China eat cats as far as I know. Some Koreans also eat dogs. The issue is that some people have been eating dogs or other kinds of animals since God knows when. Do not be so judgemental on what people have been eating.

From fiery hot Sichuan to sugary sweet Shanghainese

J, Easton, PA — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:37:11 GMT

Annie, where in the world did you get that information? I've lived in China (though I am not Chinese) and visit often. They do not cook with dog or cat meat and it is extremely insulting to suggest.

From fiery hot Sichuan to sugary sweet Shanghainese

Karin, Los Angeles, CA — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:37:50 GMT

This is a great blog and description of what Chinese food from various provinces is really like. I'm Chinese and have eaten Chinese food all my life, but I still learned a lot from this article. Thanks!

From fiery hot Sichuan to sugary sweet Shanghainese

Educated Annie, SF, California — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:22:53 GMT

Dear "Annie",

Chinese don't eat cats. And since you seem to be really concerned about animal welfare, you and all fellow Americans shouldn't eat beef, since the Indians, who created one of the world's earliest civilizations, consider cows sacred and eating beef a blasphemy. Similarly, you shouldn't eat bacons, either, since Muslims consider pigs the most unclean animal, and it would be an affront to God to eat pork; in addition, you should never wear a bikini, since it’s offensive to Muslims, and you shouldn’t sit next to a man at a funeral (God forbid someone in your family dies), because Orthodox Judaism believe men and women should be separated. Should I go on?

From fiery hot Sichuan to sugary sweet Shanghainese

Johh Chalinder — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:37:55 GMT

If you want the world's best oriental cuisine, then try a good Thai restaurant. The keynotes of Thai cooking are; Coconut Milk, Peanuts, and Red Curry. Add meat, veggies and noodles or rice to taste.
And there is little in the world of food that can compare to the heat of a good Thai chilli pepper and red curry.
Now I've made myself hungry. Time for a trip to my favorite Kalispell, MT treat: the Thai Palace on Main St.

From fiery hot Sichuan to sugary sweet Shanghainese

Chris, Grand Rapids, MI — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:47:00 GMT

Everybody knows that dog is a winter food because it makes your body warm. You shouldn't eat it in the summer.
Chengdu and ChongChing hot pot are my favorite Chinese food as well.

From fiery hot Sichuan to sugary sweet Shanghainese

Daniel F, Calgary Alberta — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:11:44 GMT

After living in Sichuan Province, hanging out in Shanghai, and enjoying the flavors in Yangshuo I have to agree with this post. The food is amazing with more variety of ingredients than imaginable. Try new things with an open mind in China, and your tastebuds win.

From fiery hot Sichuan to sugary sweet Shanghainese

k spencer, springfield, mo — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:59:02 GMT

there ain't no caschew chicken in china and although dog was a staple years ago, i don't think cats were or are. modern china has good stuff, the hill or country people would eat the more ethnic things. and thank heaven for rice and noodles!

From fiery hot Sichuan to sugary sweet Shanghainese

John Doe, Seattle, Wash. — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 02:47:22 GMT

lol at canada.

From fiery hot Sichuan to sugary sweet Shanghainese

Natasya, Kuala Lumpur — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 03:21:51 GMT

Shabu Shabu is not chinese fondue or chinese. Shabu Shabu is Japanese.Shabu-Shabu and Chinese hot pot are similar in concept but distinctly different otherwise.

From fiery hot Sichuan to sugary sweet Shanghainese

Sandra Badger St.Petersburg, Fl. — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:31:12 GMT

Recently a friend sent me some pictures of the food stands outside of the Olympics. Looked like a midway at the fair. These were the foods in thepics:starfish fried in shark oil, seahorses,baby sharks, deep fried sea urchins,grilled snake,dog liver & vegetables, goat liver&red peppers, corn w/ginger sauce, mixed cow & horse stew,silk worms,black scorpions,dung beetles, cicadas, crickets, scorpion brochettes & lizzard legs, dog brain soup, oysters,squids & iguana tails.

From fiery hot Sichuan to sugary sweet Shanghainese

bill anchorage alaska usa — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:13:36 GMT

i don't care whats in it, as long as it's good. wen it comes to food, i'm game for almost anything..wait, anything except for scallops- im allergic. you all made me hungry.....mmmm

From fiery hot Sichuan to sugary sweet Shanghainese

Richard Stuart, Post Falls, ID — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:57:30 GMT

The only problem with reading an article about Chinese cooking is that you want to read it again an hour later. :)

My wife, who is from Hong Kong, often complains how Chinese food served here is so Americanized that it's flavor is far removed from "the real thing"; you're in for a real treat when you're served the authentic stuff.

From fiery hot Sichuan to sugary sweet Shanghainese

Taehee, Houston, Texas — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:24:12 GMT

Real mature responses.

Just to let you know, it's easier to eat cats and dogs for economically disadvantaged people who live in areas of low landmass. Koreans especially indulged on dogs and cats because they are easy to breed and feed. Cows were kept as pets since they were much harder to breed and they did a lot of work on the farms.

Chinese food is great if you taste the right stuff, just like all the other foods in different cultures.

From fiery hot Sichuan to sugary sweet Shanghainese

Unknown from Markham, Ontario, Canada — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 09:49:45 GMT

I thought Hong Kong food/chefs are better than food in China?

From fiery hot Sichuan to sugary sweet Shanghainese

Foodie, Chicago, IL — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:51:50 GMT

The overseas Chinese food is so far distantly different from Chinese food in China. Put aside the differences in ingredients and flavor, just the various types of food, the overseas Chinese food might have only covered about 2% of the overall or regional dishes that China offers. I am a foodie who makes my world-wide travels based on the food my destinations can provide. I can say that only the French cuisine may come half way to stand shoulder to shoulder with Chinese food.

From fiery hot Sichuan to sugary sweet Shanghainese

Lansun Shawn,Shanghai,China — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 07:58:26 GMT

If you have a chance to China,You will well know a really China and the kindly Chinese people.
If you want to learn the true China,I propose you come China. which like 2008 Olympic games give you a surprise.