Tuesday, 16 April 2019

A guide to cuisine in Xinjiang, China

A guide to cuisine in Xinjiang, China
Located in northwestern China, Xinjiang is famous for its extraordinary natural landscapes and various ethnic customs. But, Xinjiang cuisine is also a must-try during your trip. Food here is heavily influenced by Muslim cuisine and has a much more Central Asian flavor than anywhere else in China.

Uyghur Lamb Pie

A guide to cuisine in Xinjiang, China
Uyghur lamb pie is another amazing lamb-centred dish. It consists of a thin dough crust filled with minced lamb meat, onions, and other spices which is then shallow-fried to a golden-brown crisp. When you bite into a Uyghur lamb pie, its crispy, chewy exterior gives way to a savoury, meaty centre.

DaPanJi – Big Plate Chicken

A guide to cuisine in Xinjiang, China
Big Plate Chicken is one of the top dishes among travelers wishing to experience great Xinjiang cuisine. You can order it at the Muslim Quarter in Xi’an or at a Xinjiang restaurant in Beijing, but trust me when I say that nothing compares to what is cooked up here in the province.

Xinjiang DaPanJi is often confused as a Uyghur dish, but it is in fact part of the Hui cuisine. It consists of a huge plate of potatoes, peppers, a whole chicken and various spices. This is a best dish served with a group, so find 4-5 local friends or fellow travelers, not only because it is a lot of food but also because it can be quite expensive.

Pilaf

A guide to cuisine in Xinjiang, China
Found again throughout Xinjiang in various forms, this fried rice dish comes with melt-in-your-mouth pieces of mutton, raisins, and spices. It is an amazing combination of sweet and peppery goodness that once again comes with an extremely cheap price tag. Small servings for one person are usually about 10-15 RMB with options for mega large servings for 80 RMB which can feed 10 people or more.

Hami Melon

A guide to cuisine in Xinjiang, China
Many people in China say that the Xinjiang region has some of the most delicious fruits in the entire country, and if they ever make a trip there you can bet they are bringing back some fruit.
One of the most popular and famous fruits is the Hami melon, a Xinjiang speciality. A hard yellow exterior gives way to a sweet orange flesh that has the taste and texture of a cantaloupe. Some Xinjiang restaurants are known to serve this as an appetizer for free. Each slice is incredibly tasty and juicy; a good palette cleanser after all that savoury lamb meat.

Lagman – BanMian

A guide to cuisine in Xinjiang, China
The term “BanMian” is actually quite a quite confusing Xinjiang cuisine name, as it seems to be used for any type of noodle dish out here. The good news is that no matter which type of BanMian you find yourself eating, you will probably love it. The locals call the Uyghur version of BanMian “Laghman“, or “La mian”.

See more: A quick guide on travelling to China in May

Source Internet


Take a tour to enjoy the unique dishes in Japan

Japan is considered one of the world’s capitals of dining. Japanese foods are unique and various, from the one of a kind - sushi to ramen. So if you are a food lover, or just simply you want to try Japanese cuisine, let’s find out these dishes.

Tempura

Take a tour to enjoy the unique dishes in Japan
Tempura is a Japanese cooking method that involves battering and deep frying seafood or vegetables in oil. It’s similar to karaage except it uses a light batter made of cold water and soft cake flour. The batter is lightly mixed and kept cold with lumps to create a crisp and fluffy texture when fried.

Hiroshimayaki (Okonomiyaki of Hiroshima)

Take a tour to enjoy the unique dishes in Japan
As the most famous food in the prefecture, the Hiroshimayaki, or Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, is unique from those found in other parts of Japan. Instead of mixing all the ingredients together, they are layered. In addition, the amount of cabbage used in the Hiroshima version is usually three to four times the amount used in the Kansai-Osaka style.

Udon

Take a tour to enjoy the unique dishes in Japan
Udon refers to a type of thick noodle made with wheat flour. It’s typically served hot in winter or chilled in summer and is often topped with thinly chopped scallions, tempura, aburaage (deep-fried tofu), and kamaboko (fish cake). Like ramen, the type of udon broth and toppings used vary from region to region. Eastern udon tends to be darker brown in color while western udon is lighter. This comes from the type of soy sauce used.

Yokosuka Kaigun Kare

Take a tour to enjoy the unique dishes in Japan
Yokosuka kaigun kare is a curry dish from Kanagawa named for the Japanese Imperial Navy, or kaigun, which was once stationed in Yokosuka City. The Japanese navy served a spiced beef curry thickened with flour that was modeled after British beef stew but eaten with rice rather than bread. The meal became popular throughout the local area and is still said to be eaten today by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as part of their weekly meal rotation.

Ke No Jiru

Take a tour to enjoy the unique dishes in Japan
Ke no jiru is a nourishing winter dish featuring a hodgepodge of diced vegetables, tofu, and aburaage fried bean curd in miso soup. It contains root vegetables like daikon radish, burdock root, and carrot as well as wild edible plants such as warabi (bracken fern). Ke no jiru gets its name from “kayu no jiru”, with the word “kayu” (rice porridge) gradually transforming into the word “ke” over time. The dish is eaten for good luck at the start of the new year.

Bara-yaki

Take a tour to enjoy the unique dishes in Japan
Bara-yaki is a dish of grilled beef rib meat cooked on a hot plate or teppan surface over a massive bed of sliced onions. The dish was created in Aomori’s Towada City by local Korean immigrants and is flavored with a sweet and slightly spicy soy sauce, reminiscent of Korean-style barbecue. With its rich, yet down-to-earth taste, it’s no wonder that many people consider bara-yaki to be the “soul food” of Aomori.

Satsumaage


Take a tour to enjoy the unique dishes in Japan
Popular across the country, Satsumaage is one of the most famous dishes of Kagoshima. It mostly consists of a paste of minced fish that is then deep fried. The type of fish used in the paste can vary but is often bonito, mackerel or sardines. Some other ingredients are also included in small quantities to add a bit of flavor, such as pickled ginger and vegetables.

Nabe

Take a tour to enjoy the unique dishes in Japan
Nabe is a traditional hot pot dish containing broth, vegetables, meat or seafood. It is cooked together in an earthenware vessel. The dish is a classic Japanese comfort food and has been eaten in Japan for as long as earthenware cookware has existed. There are a number of different types of nabe made with local ingredients that vary by region. Some famous varieties include kani nabe (crab hot pot), which is often eaten in the winter, and the protein-filled chanko nabe eaten by sumo wrestlers.

See more: Get to know about Wagashi, the Japanese traditional sweets

Nikujaga

Take a tour to enjoy the unique dishes in Japan
Nikujaga is a type of Japanese comfort food made with potatoes and meat braised in liquid, typically beef in the Kansai region of western Japan and pork in the Kanto area to the east. The dish is widely associated with home cooking, especially “ofukuro no aji” or “Mom’s home cooking”. It was created in the 1800s as a dish that emulated western-style stews and is often served as part of a larger meal of rice, soup, and side dishes or packed into a bento box for lunch.

Source Internet

Friday, 12 April 2019

Top man-made structures in Da Nang

Top man-made structures in Da Nang
From the hands of God to a fire-breathing dragon, artistic architecture abounds in Danang. Located in Central Vietnam, this coastal city doesn’t only have beautiful beaches on offer, but also stunning structural marvels that make it extra worthy of a visit.

Golden Bridge Hands

Golden Bridge Hands
Ever wondered what it would feel like to stroll through the hands of God? Well, now you can, thanks to this incredible 150-metre-long walking bridge nestled in Danang’s Ba Na Hills, 1,400 metres above sea level. The gigantic hands, which appear to be emerging from the forested hillside, proudly hold a golden walkway that offers awe-inspiring views of the mountain landscape. It’s no surprise that the bridge has become a social media sensation, attracting visitors in their droves. Located 90 minutes from Danang’s city centre, the Golden Bridge Hands offer a truly sublime experience that makes it well worth the trip.

Dragon Bridge

Dragon Bridge
Stretching across the Han River, the Dragon Bridge is undoubtedly one of Danang’s finest examples of architecture – and a great Instagram opportunity. As you might guess from its name, the bridge is shaped like a dragon flying across the water – although the resemblance to the mythical creature doesn’t end there. The dragon delights crowds by spitting water and breathing fire on weekends after 9pm. Don’t let that fool you into thinking the bridge is a mere gimmick, however. Dragons are a symbol of prosperity and power in Vietnamese culture, and thus the structure represents Danang’s growth into a thriving economic hub. Whether you view the dragon basking in the sunlight or illuminated at night, no visit to Danang is complete without a glimpse of this feat of engineering.

Han River Bridge

Han River Bridge
The Han River Bridge is notable for being Vietnam’s first swing bridge, as well as for its important role in the stimulation of Danang’s economy. Designed by Vietnamese architects and built largely by the local population, the structure is an emblem of achievement within the city. It looks especially lovely when lit up in dazzling colours after dark, swinging open at 11pm on weekends where it captivates locals and tourists alike.

Lady Buddha

Lady Buddha
Buddha statues are a common sight throughout Vietnam but the tallest and most impressive is found at the entrance of Linh Ung pagoda atop Son Tra mountain. Measuring a whopping 67 metres in height, the Lady Buddha casts a protective gaze over Danang, with her striking white figure visible from almost any point in the city. Inside the statue are 17 floors, each one dedicated to a different Buddha. There’s also the chance to visit the statue’s head – provided you can cope with all the stairs.

Thuan Phuoc Bridge

Thuan Phuoc Bridge
At 1,850 metres long, Thuan Phuoc Bridge is Vietnam’s longest suspension bridge. It was opened for traffic in 2009 and has remained an integral part of Danang’s infrastructure ever since. The bridge has become a popular tourist attraction due to its clean, modern design and its appealing LED illumination system that makes it one of Danang’s most picturesque spots by night.

Tran Thi Ly Bridge 

Tran Thi Ly Bridge
Much like the Dragon Bridge, Tran Thi Ly Bridge has won international awards for its innovative design. With an overall length of 731 metres, the cable-stayed bridge has simultaneously managed to reduce congestion in Danang and become an attractive landmark since its rebuilding in 2013. The bridge is designed to resemble a sailboat drifting down the Han River, reflecting the relaxed atmosphere of this seafront city.

Source: Internet