January 8, 2010

Ordering
Chinese

Arm yourself with knowledge of regional Chinese cooking.

Forego the head-scratching whenever you encounter Chinese dishes with a regional reference to its name. Dishes like Shanghai Fried Rice or Sze Chuan Stir-Fried Beef can mean nothing to an ordinary diner but each region actually suggests a unique style of cooking. Here are the common Chinese regional cooking you will encounter in restaurants across Metro Manila. The next time you dig in, you’ll know what influences the cuisine and its flavors.

Shanghai
Shanghai cuisine is generally identified by the use of sugar in its recipes. The sweet but savory taste is achieved through the combination of sugar and soy sauce. Thus, the Shanghai Lumpia, a Filipino favorite, contains hints of sweetness in its filling. The region’s cooking is also characterized by its use of alcohol. In Shanghai, meat like fish and chicken is sometimes marinated in alcohol and served raw.
Restaurants to try: Where to order the best Shanghai Lumpia? For me, it's Hap Chan restaurant and Gloria Maris.

Chiu Chow
Chiu Chow cuisine generally involves fine cooked seafood and vegetable dishes. Marinades play a small role in food preparation as the taste of a dish depends on the freshness and quality of the original produce.
Restaurant to try: Try the Chui Chow Fried Rice and most specially, the Chui Chow Vegetable in Suzhou along A. Mabini Street in Mandaluyong. The quality of the vegetables speaks of the kind of produce that characterizes Chui Chow cuisine.

Peking
The popular Peking Duck actually refers to a kind of duck cooked in Beijing, China, the city formerly known as Peking. Beijing food is usually composed of snacks sold by street vendors and little shops, and not so much the fine, gourmet dishes. Major ingredients in this regional style of cooking include soy paste, sesame paste, and sesame oil. Beijing food is synonymous to fried dishes.
Restaurant to try: The Peking Duck is considered the poster boy of Chinese cuisine. Practically any Chinese restaurant will have this in their menu. Personally, the best Peking Duck is the one served in Peking Garden Restaurant. If you’re in the TriNoma area, drop by and order the duck.

Szechuan
Szechuan cooking has earned the distinction of being one of the spiciest cuisines in the world. The Szechuan province in China has a humid climate and its residents look for food that will trigger their bodies to produce sweat. As a result, dishes from this region are very hot and fiery, thanks to the addition of a special szechuan peppercorn. This peppercorn has a citrusy and aromatic smell but has a numbing effect on the taste buds due to the heat it produces. Spices like ginger, chili, and an assortment of herbs are also common ingredients in this region’s dishes. Beef is the meat specialty as a species of oxen is abundant in the Szechuan province.
Restaurant to try: For a taste of authentic Szechuan, go to Gloria Maris and order the hotpot with Szechuan soup base. It is the spiciest and hottest thing you will ever get to taste in your life! Consider yourself warned.

Now let’s go and get some Chinese food.

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