Try the best local street foods in Shanghai

Due to a citywide crackdown on sanitation, street food vendors are becoming increasingly scarce in Shanghai, but that doesn’t mean the food itself is disappearing. You may have to look harder to find these simple culinary treats, but the search is worth it.

Xiao Long Bao

Shanghai’s signature dish is Xiao Long Bao, delicate soup dumplings that make an addict out of anyone who ever tries them. It takes patience to learn the proper eating technique, but once you developed a method, you’ll see why this dish has so many proclaiming its superiority over all other types of dumplings, including its fried cousin, the sheng jian bao.

Cong You Bing

Cong You Bing are scallion pancakes that differ from their western counterparts in their use of dough instead of batter. This ubiquitous thick and filling treat is perfect for breakfast or a midday pick me up.

Crab Shell Pie

River crabs are an integral part of Shanghai’s food scene, but only available seasonally. To combat your year-round craving, try crab shell pie, a crispy bun filled with savoury ingredients, whose appearance is reminiscent of a golden crab shell.

You Tiao

Literally meaning “oil slick,” this fried doughnut-like delicacy doesn’t try to fool anyone into thinking it’s healthy. You Tiao make for a great on the go breakfast and are best paired with fresh hot soy milk.

Read more: The incredible and unique museums in Shanghai, China

Baked Sweet Potato

The smell of baked sweet potato is how you know it’s winter in Shanghai. Usually sold from the back of a scooter, these sweet potatoes are fluffy and fibrous and will warm you up on even the coldest day.

Stinky Tofu

Don’t be put off by the name, or the pungent smell, stinky tofu is one of Shanghai’s best street foods. Follow your nose to this playful dish, whose taste is as fragrant as its smell. Cut into rectangular cubes and smothered in sauces, stinky tofu will have you questioning why you ever thought tofu was bland.

Sesame Ball

Red bean paste fills many a popular dessert in China, and sesame balls are no different. These glutinous dough balls are chock full of the sweet filling, covered in sesame seeds, and fried to crispy goodness.

Tea Eggs

Even as Shanghai’s street food scene fades, tea eggs are still available everywhere, from convenience stores to newspaper stands. The chicken eggs are hard boiled in a mixture of green tea and soy sauce and kept in a crock pot for warmth.

Kebabs

Known in China as chuanr, kebabs are usually found at night on pushcarts parked strategically outside of bars and clubs. The sellers definitely know their target audience, as there’s no better drunk food than greasy meat on sticks. A variety of vegetables and starches are also available, but the epitome of chuanr is fatty lamb meat.

Jianbing

This crispy crepe-like treat is not only popular throughout China, but has recently gained fans in America as well. The wrap is made from a batter of wheat, grain flour, and eggs. Its fillings vary but typically include a crispy fried cracker, scallions, and chili sauce.

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Try the unique street food in Indonesia

The term of dessert may be better known in western countries. Many of the citizens of Indonesia themselves are not familiar with this dessert term or often also referred to as dessert. Most Indonesians are not familiar with the tradition of appetizers, after eating not many of them go on to a cold or refreshing menu.

However, Indonesia has many types of street foods that are delicious if it is used as dessert.  These are the following famous street foods in Indonesia.

Es Pisang Ijo

Pisang ijo is a typical food in South Sulawesi, especially in the city of Makassar. This food is made from the main ingredient of bananas wrapped in green flour mixture. How to cook it is by steaming in the cormorant. The dough is made from flour, water, and green coloring made from a mixture of water with suji or pandan leaves.

This ice menu is very good for dessert since the sweet taste. You can get this dessert menu in some famous restaurants or cafes in Indonesia.

Getuk

Getuk is Javanese snack that is made from cassava. There are two kinds of getuk, getuk, is the steamed cassava is sprinkled with shredded palm sugar, so it is brown in color and the texture is a little bit coarse. Second one is getuk lindri, it is when the steamed cassava is grinded with sugar, and is colored with food coloring and vanilla extract. After that, it is molded into small, long shape so it looks like noodles and then cut into square pieces. Usually it’s served with shredded coconut and palm sugar syrup. You can find getuk at the market (in the morning), snack hawker, or at gift shop especially in Java area.

Sweet Martabak

One of our favorite desserts would be Indonesian Sweet Martabak. It is an Indonesian version of a pancake. The interesting thing is, Martabak is only sold in the evenings. You can choose mix fillings from chocolate, cheese and peanuts.

Kolak

This one dish is usually easy to find and many sell when the fasting month. This banana compote contains cabbage, bananas, sweet potatoes cut into pieces and then the sauce consists of a mixture of coconut milk and brown sugar and pandan leaves that give a pleasant aroma. This dish is very tasty when it is warm but if you add ice it feels great.

Do not hesitate to try this dessert because it feels very sweet. This is the most famous desert in Indonesia in the month of Ramadhan.

Surabi Surabi

Surabi Surabi or serabi is an Indonesian pancake that is made from the mixture of rice flour and coconut milk or plain shredded coconut. Most of traditional serabi tastes sweet, as it is usually eaten with kinca or thick golden colored coconut and sugar syrup. But nowadays there are many varieties of serabi toppings from oncom to minced beef and cheese. Serabi from Bandung is typically dryer and firmer with various kinds of toppings, while serabi from Solo are more traditional with a little bit half cooked in the center and thin crispy crust. You can find serabi at traditional market, street serabi hawkers, or gift shops.

Lemper Lemper

Lemper Lemper is snack made from steamed glutinous rice filled with beef floss, chicken or fish meat. It tastes savory, because the rice is cooked with coconut milk and other herbs such as bay leaf and lemongrass. You can say it is like ‘Indonesian sushi’ without seaweed and wasabi. You can find lemper at traditional market or bakeries all around Indonesia.

See more: Top must-see palaces in Indonesia

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Best places to visit Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is the best and attractive tourist destination. The major landlocked nation in the whole world, Kazakhstan is mainly distinguished for its diverse and eye-catching landscape that mainly includes the whole thing from isolated steppes to the alpine scenery and the striking deserts and appealing ethnic mix. Kazakhstan is also known as the passive holiday paradise and it must be placed in your vacation bucket list quickly.

1. Astana

Astana is the astonishing capital of Kazakhstan locates as the best living illustration of this modernized country & presents well-liked Kazakhstan traveler attractions. With a lot of multi-story buildings and corporate trade centers around, the design of this capital city will surely mesmerize you. Hold the wonderful panoramic outlook of Astana city. You can enjoy this magnificent view from Bayterek Tower which is 105-meter tall.

Also, one can visit the beautiful Duman Recreational Complex that is usually known as the eventual pit-stop for the art lovers. Moreover, there is a bunch of activities to perform in Astana. The Museum of Miniatures and Seaquarium is the perfect place for nature enthusiasts where they can enjoy over two thousand species of attractive sea animals from diverse parts spotted from all over the world.

2. Almaty

Almaty is the best place in foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau Mountains. Almaty is mainly recognized for its elegant location as well as picture-postcard outdoor. The eye-catching snow-capped tall mountains protect the city and formulate it for the best and attractive backdrop ever. The most popular city attractions add the Central State Museum in the visitor’s list. The Central State Museum has special importance as it holds rich cultural legacy houses. Until 1997, Almaty was known as the capital of Kazakhstan. But still, it is one of the favorite tourist places in Kazakhstan.

You can enjoy nature’s grandeur in Almaty as well as go around for shopping at the Zelyony Bazaar and Dostyk Plaza. Moreover, the Green Market is the well-liked place to procure fresh meats, fruits, clothing, and other household possessions. Some other admired tourist places in Almaty are Charyn Canyon, Beatles Statue of Almaty, Big Almaty Lake, The Last Wild Apple Forests, Kok-Tobe Hill, Almaty Central Park, Kolsai Lakes, Lake Issyk, Panfilov Park, The Arasan Baths, and Central State Museum of Kazakhstan.

3. Temirtau

Temirtau is a small yet beautiful place which you can visit while on a trip to Kazakhstan. The meaning of the place is the iron mountain. There is a small steel mill in the place where you can make a visit to explore the historic building. Other important places to visit in Temirtau include Winter Garden in Vostok Park and workers’ memorials.

According to its history, the country has been majorly ruled by the invaders in the 13th century and in the 18th century ruled by the Russians. In the year 1991, the country elected their president Nursultan Nazarbayev and confirmed their independence. A wide range of royal canyons, arid plains, seamless deserts, ancient structures, and colossal glaciers account for the popular and well-liked places to visit in Kazakhstan and all these are mainly responsible to make the country a stunning and year-round destination.

4. Shymkent

Founded in the 12th century, Shymkent is one of the most ancient cities of Kazakhstan. This beautiful and fascinating city was once a caravanserai beside the Silk Road. The city underwent destruction by various nomadic tribes and Genghis Khan along with his army later in 1864 the place was conquered by Russia and then it turns into the essential trading center. Today Shymkent is a modern city with some great hotels to stay, nightlife, European-style club, restaurants, good markets and cinema halls. When you are in Shymkent, you must visit the ancient Sauran city to watch the ruins. You can also visit Sairam mausoleums.

Read more: Discover the most incredible museums in Jordan

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