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Hong Kong Bistro – Chandler, AZ

Having traveled around the world with many trips to Asia, I am partial to excellent Chinese food. Also, I’m quite critical of restaurants that do not measure up for me personally. But, when you come across any of my reviews, they are positive-if I don’t like the establishment, I don’t take the time to write about it.

Since we moved to Gilbert, AZ in April 2006, Norm and I have been searching for an exceptional Chinese restaurant in the East Valley. Several times, we passed Hong Kong Bistro on the corner of N.W. corner of Chandler Heights and Gilbert Road. In early Spring of ’08, we decided to give it a try. Our search resulted in an experience that was right on the mark. Hong Kong Bistro is a terrific value for the quality of its food.

We’ve returned to the restaurant more times than I can count. I’m open to trying something different each time, but Norm tends to prefer the Mo-Shu Pork, while tasting my entrees. Continue reading “Hong Kong Bistro – Chandler, AZ”

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The 5 Best Chinese Restaurants in Singapore

If you love Chinese dishes, congratulations! Singapore is a fantastic place for Chinese food with an incredible menu of choices. With more than 80 different styles of cooking, unique and delicious Chinese dishes have contributed a major part to the rich of cuisine here. You will see lots of Cantonese, Hokkien, Teochew, and Hainanese restaurants all over Singapore.

Having Chinese dishes, you will always feel the harmony between the yin and yang qualities of food through combining ingredients. Chinese cuisine also keeps its belief in the symbolic properties of food, such as noodle for longevity, oyster for good fortune and fish for prosperity. This creates the soul of Chinese dishes and it is the reason people fall in love with Chinese cuisine.

Here I recommend the 5 best Chinese restaurants in Singapore for Chinese cuisine’s lovers as well as those want to have a good taste of Singapore food. Continue reading “The 5 Best Chinese Restaurants in Singapore”

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The Chinese American Experience

America is a country that is home to people from every part of the world. If one has a strong desire to count the cultures represented in the general population, it might be a very exhausting test of perseverance. An interesting cultural trend that has bloomed in America for some time now is the culture of Chinese Americans. “Chinese Americanism” is a phenomenon that has been the result of people with Chinese origin living in America. As the years have passed greater mobility from China to America has increased. It is still true that the tide of immigration from East Asia continues to grow. In the experience of Chinese Americans, they have largely succeeded in exerting their unique influence in a variety of ways throughout the American culture and its “melting pot” society. In fact, Chinese Americans have been living, working, and raising their children here in North America for many generations! Continue reading “The Chinese American Experience”

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What Are the Available Restaurant Maps Online?

Traditionally, when people were looking for a new restaurant, they would pick up a copy of Zagat’s or some other fancy food guide. But in just a few short years, online maps have come a long way and now offer local information on businesses, shops and eateries too. Sites like Google Maps allow users to create their own maps of favorite establishments that they can save or share with friends and family. There are hundreds of food maps online, although a few noteworthy ideas have risen to the top.

On the West Coast, what could be better than eating a real, authentic Mexican taco out of a truck? With heaping portions, loads of options and mama’s homemade guacamole, you just cannot go wrong. You just can’t get that level of deliciousness from a restaurant, Californians say. However, it can be tricky to locate these trucks, especially if you are from out-of-town. Thus, Yumtacos was born.

Continue reading “What Are the Available Restaurant Maps Online?”

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Chinese Stir Fry: The Basics

Introduction

I have been asked by many people how to stir fry Chinese food. I didn’t really know how to describe it; the only thing I could really say was ‘easy, very easy’.

I wasn’t joking, the basic method for stir frying Chinese food is not at all fancy or complicated. I know there are many different kinds of packed ready to cook ‘Chinese stir fry vegetables’ or sauces, or even stir fry oil on the shelves of the various supermarkets. But these are not my cup of tea. I agree that using these sauces might make cooking easy, but the taste will never be the same. In fact, it doesn’t take much effort to prepare everything yourself, and probably you can also save some money anyway. When you come back from work, tired, need to quickly fix dinner, Chinese stir frying is really not a bad idea. Continue reading “Chinese Stir Fry: The Basics”

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[REVIEW] Yao’s Diner, Centereach, NY

If it was authentic Chinese Food you’re after, Yao’s Diner fits the bill. If it’s a romantic setting, or Americanized Chinese food, then definitely keep on rolling.

It’s clearly not a place you would go on a first date. Though there was a couple there that appeared to be on a first date. I don’t give him a good chance for a second date!

And, the bathroom is clearly there for emergency purposes only. Continue reading “[REVIEW] Yao’s Diner, Centereach, NY”

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Easy Chinese Fun See Soup

Ahhh, Chinese Fun See Soup. Delicious and easy to make.

Although Chinese restaurants seem to whip out a huge variety of Chinese food in a very short time, this does not mean that making Chinese food is usually quick work. On the contrary… to make a full-on Chinese dinner at home consumes a lot of time. The restaurants are so fast because they have a lot of their food and sauces pre-prepared and ready to go. As a result, their professional cooks can really crank out the dinners. Don’t expect the same at home.

Fun See Soup is one of the exceptions to the long-time preparation rule. This delicate Chinese soup is quick to make and a sure crowd pleaser.

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The Diversity of Asian Food

Food is one of our basic needs. Apart from that, most of us regarded food as a passion and perceive it with some degree of indulgence. And with the wide diversity of people and culture, there is such a wide variety of food and cuisine out there as well to cater to everyone’s taste buds. Now, since life provides boundless opportunities, there is no reason why you should miss to savor every food and cuisine that each region on Earth has to offer.

One of the most exotic food there is available is the Asian cuisine. Asian food, in all its hues and tastes, is becoming increasingly popular and well-liked by many Westerners. When compared to the food in American and European continent, the foods in Asia tends to stand out because of its diversity. The vast number of countries in Asia offer endless varieties of food, far different from each other. Indian food, for instance, has a wide array of cuisines to try out that it would take several lifetimes for even a food lover to taste and relish it all. On the other hand, Northern India has its own delectable examples of Asian food to offer you, while Southern India offers a whole lot more. Don’t underestimate the regions of North Eastern India as it is also abound with several examples of truly Asian food. In fact, they offer an amalgam of Burmese, Bhutanese and Bangladesh food. Moreover, Western India will never let herself fell behind from carving a name in the annals of Asian food. Continue reading “The Diversity of Asian Food”

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Chinese Restaurant Tea – What Teas Are Served In Chinese Restaurants?

Many Americans find themselves greatly enjoying the tea served in Chinese restaurants. Because China has a much richer and more active tea culture than the United States, the teas served in Chinese restaurants can tend to be a several notches up in quality from those that a typical American is used to drinking. Furthermore, for historical reasons, most of the mainstream tea in the U.S. originates in the British tradition, focusing on black teas like Ceylon, Darjeeling, Assam, and Earl Grey. The teas served in Chinese restaurants are typically quite different, and often represent some people’s first exposure to the styles and varieties that are more commonly consumed in China and throughout southeast Asia.

What types of tea are served in Chinese restaurants?

There is no single standard type of tea that is served in Chinese restaurants; rather, a number of different varieties are regularly served in this setting. In the typical mainstream American Chinese restaurants, the most common teas served are oolong and Jasmine tea. Green tea is sometimes served, as is Pu-erh. One brand of tea, Dynasty, actually markets a Chinese restaurant tea, which is a blend of oolong, jasmine, and green teas, reflecting a fusion of the different styles of tea most frequently served in Chinese restaurants.

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Food in Demand – Chinese Takeaway

There will always be people craving for Chinese takeaway. This is because they had a taste of these delectable dishes and realize how satisfying this is. The best part about it is that Chinese takeaway is also affordable. Imagine getting good quality in a lot of quantity at an affordable rate. Why do you think China Towns are scattered all over the globe? Every country has a version of China Town now, because of the popularity of Chinese food.

Then there’s the fortune cookie. One wouldn’t mind getting these cookies, cracking it open and seeing whether the fortune is accurate or not. It’s like an addition to an already-satisfying meal. Even when Westerners are in Eastern countries such as China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, they still want to get their fill of Chinese food.

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