My Beijinger Journey: Shopping and (Exotic) Food Walk
Of course, some time of our travel was allocated for shopping to buy souvenir or simply to experience their shopping culture. In fact, much can be said about the people through their shopping patterns. In Beijing, i didn't find much shopping complexes or large malls like those around Kuala Lumpur, but needless to say, there were a few that stood out as good shopping spots and apart from the air-conditioned-type malls, we sought their 'hutong' or alleyway-style shopping area for local goods, and foods! Note that some of the pictures and videos may cause displeasure to your tummy.
Local Meals
We usually had our breakfast near our hostel. There were many eateries, each calling out their menu and inviting guests to enter. Almost every other morning, we tried different shops. Most of the breakfast in Beijing were dissimilar to those in Malaysia. I was not very fond of their local breakfast may be because i grew up familiar with my home taste. Having said that, it was nice experiencing this variation. One common dish is the Yoo Tiau served with soy bean milk. Unlike in Malaysia, the Yoo Tiau there was chewy, not crispy and big, that eating a piece took time. As for the soy bean milk, my first experience of it was without sugar, purely flavour of the soy bean. My second experience was better, with sugar, and that was a satisfying breakfast.
Nanluoguxiang
Located in the Dongcheng district, measuring about 800 m long, this hutong is an ideal and popular spot to experience some local food, in the midst of shopping for souvenir from Beijing. Reaching Nanluoguxiang was relatively easy. Use the Subway to Nanluoguxiang Station and exit towards the Nanluoguxiang Street, cross the road and enter from the south of the hutong. We looked from afar and saw lanterns hung near the entrance. Upon entering, it felt like being in Jonker Street, Melaka, yet with a different aura exuded by the old, low alleyway buildings as the setting of the place. There were many shops that sell souvenir items like clothes, fans, bags, paintings, dolls and many more. Also, other items were sold like leather products, smartphone cover cases, to name a few. There were also cafes around serving local dishes and international cuisine. There was a Starbucks there too!
Hungry for some local snacks, we tried their local kebabs- chicken and mutton, Jian Bing Guo Zi or thin pancakes, smelly tofu, sotong on sticks, and salty and spicy tau-fu-far- a weird combination and definitely different than those sold in Malaysia.
Silk Market
This market, or complex actually, is a popular shopping place for clothes and other goods. It felt like walking in Sungei Wang in Kuala Lumpur. This 6-storey building, each floor serving its own purpose, has much to offer, yet i wasn't impressed or liked this place as much. May be shopping for clothes, A grade copies, were not my thing when traveling. Yes, window shopping it was.
It was relatively easy to get to the Silk Market. Use the Subway to the Silk Market and you'll find yourself exiting at the lower grounds of this shopping complex.
Wangfujing Street
Compared to the Silk Market, i preferred walking along the Wangfujing Street instead. Although there weren't as many shops as in the Silk Market, i enjoyed looking at some high-end shops together with some souvenir shops. Bargaining skills were definitely tested here, especially at the souvenir street section somewhere at the middle of this Wangfujing Street.
It was also relatively easy to reach the Wangfujing Street. Use the Subway to Wangfujing Station and exit following the directions to the Street. You are not far away when you can see a McDonalds and this picture below.
Donghuamen Food Street
This is one highly recommended place to go in Beijing to encounter exotic street food at its best. It is near the Wangfujing Street, almost next door and walking from that to this was a complete transformation. Definitely for the gastronomic adventurers who would dare try and push their limits! Otherwise, just make your way through and see what people eat, and be disgusted. Even i wasn't mentally prepared to try them.
Local Meals
We usually had our breakfast near our hostel. There were many eateries, each calling out their menu and inviting guests to enter. Almost every other morning, we tried different shops. Most of the breakfast in Beijing were dissimilar to those in Malaysia. I was not very fond of their local breakfast may be because i grew up familiar with my home taste. Having said that, it was nice experiencing this variation. One common dish is the Yoo Tiau served with soy bean milk. Unlike in Malaysia, the Yoo Tiau there was chewy, not crispy and big, that eating a piece took time. As for the soy bean milk, my first experience of it was without sugar, purely flavour of the soy bean. My second experience was better, with sugar, and that was a satisfying breakfast.
The soy bean milk and Yoo Tiau i had for the first time in Beijing.
The Chinese Dumpling sold aplenty outside our hostel, at almost every shop. One steamer of this, of 10 pieces, cost 8 RMB. The texture of the wrappings did feel plasticky and smooth. The fillings inside were mostly minced meat with some vegetables. One of my favourite morning breakfast.
Another popular staple breakfast dish is this Siew Long Pau, also served at most shops around the hostel. Similar to the dumplings inside, the difference was the wrapping. This was more bun-like or pau texture.
Another favourite of mine was this Jian Bing Thin Pancake. We found a stall near our hostel and ordered one. With an open kitchen concept, we saw how it was prepared: the outer layer was made using the flour, as shown, and flattened using something like a wiper. Eggs were added over the thin layer of flour and later, some vegetables. Then, the chef flipped the pancake over and placed a crispy, crunchy piece in the middle, added sweet and spicy sauces, before folding it into a local delicacy snack suitable for breakfast or anytime of the day. This cost 5 RMB.
A shot of the streets near the hostel.
Located nearby was also an old cinema. It was about 40 RMB per ticket, more expensive than in Malaysia.
Our local friends brought us to a Chinese restaurant serving dinner, popular with their variety of dumplings. Apart from that, we asked them to order dishes special to the Beijingers. Most of the dishes were similar in style to the Malaysian Chinese dishes, though the taste may differ. Seen above is spinach with black fungus, stir fried beef and their unique mashed potato with blueberry sauce. The third was rather peculiar and i hadn't thought of this combination back home. Perhaps an idea.
Drinking beer like the locals.
On one of the nights, we had hot pots. In Malaysia, we call it steamboat. Longing for hot, soup meals, i had a lot on this night. See the Coca-Cola in Chinese bottle.
Dinner near the hostel. Above is a plate of fried noodles and below a plate of fried rice. Quite plain without much ingredients.
I expected this soup to be salty but this corn and egg soup was actually sweet. More like a dessert than to have it with rice. This bowl of soup was cheap, at 15 RMB. Unfortunately, we could not finish it.
Nanluoguxiang
Located in the Dongcheng district, measuring about 800 m long, this hutong is an ideal and popular spot to experience some local food, in the midst of shopping for souvenir from Beijing. Reaching Nanluoguxiang was relatively easy. Use the Subway to Nanluoguxiang Station and exit towards the Nanluoguxiang Street, cross the road and enter from the south of the hutong. We looked from afar and saw lanterns hung near the entrance. Upon entering, it felt like being in Jonker Street, Melaka, yet with a different aura exuded by the old, low alleyway buildings as the setting of the place. There were many shops that sell souvenir items like clothes, fans, bags, paintings, dolls and many more. Also, other items were sold like leather products, smartphone cover cases, to name a few. There were also cafes around serving local dishes and international cuisine. There was a Starbucks there too!
At the entrance to the hutong under the lanterns.
With some decorations midway.
Hungry for some local snacks, we tried their local kebabs- chicken and mutton, Jian Bing Guo Zi or thin pancakes, smelly tofu, sotong on sticks, and salty and spicy tau-fu-far- a weird combination and definitely different than those sold in Malaysia.
My friend holding two sticks, one chicken and the other mutton. The mutton was so good i rejoiced at my first bite. Three sticks for 10 RMB.
Like we have Chatime, this is a popular drink stall to quench your thirst.
Silk Market
This market, or complex actually, is a popular shopping place for clothes and other goods. It felt like walking in Sungei Wang in Kuala Lumpur. This 6-storey building, each floor serving its own purpose, has much to offer, yet i wasn't impressed or liked this place as much. May be shopping for clothes, A grade copies, were not my thing when traveling. Yes, window shopping it was.
It was relatively easy to get to the Silk Market. Use the Subway to the Silk Market and you'll find yourself exiting at the lower grounds of this shopping complex.
Wangfujing Street
Compared to the Silk Market, i preferred walking along the Wangfujing Street instead. Although there weren't as many shops as in the Silk Market, i enjoyed looking at some high-end shops together with some souvenir shops. Bargaining skills were definitely tested here, especially at the souvenir street section somewhere at the middle of this Wangfujing Street.
It was also relatively easy to reach the Wangfujing Street. Use the Subway to Wangfujing Station and exit following the directions to the Street. You are not far away when you can see a McDonalds and this picture below.
A clock tower at the Wangfujing Street at dusk.
A shop selling Chinese tea that sells ice creams made from tea too! One is the green tea ice cream and the other is jasmine tea ice cream.
Donghuamen Food Street
This is one highly recommended place to go in Beijing to encounter exotic street food at its best. It is near the Wangfujing Street, almost next door and walking from that to this was a complete transformation. Definitely for the gastronomic adventurers who would dare try and push their limits! Otherwise, just make your way through and see what people eat, and be disgusted. Even i wasn't mentally prepared to try them.
The crowded street of inquisitive people. It was tempting to say but the stomach did not take. If there is any consolation, i tried a piece of curry shark and crab stick.
Some fruits being glazed and appeared jelly-like.
Not sure what chemicals were being added to create that bubbling effect.
The main reason for being there- to see these! How do you eat a starfish? Or a lizard? Or baby scorpions? Or those crawlies!? These, i cannot. Seeing the baby scorpions alive and moving on the sticks were pitiful and sad. I guess when one orders, they'll just be dipped in boiling oil to cook. I also wondered where did they get so many of these baby scorpions.
See them moving and my body cringed.
Food is definitely an adventure and it was no less in this Beijing journey. The exotic food sold at the Donghuamen food street was the pinnacle of this entire journey's food walk. Needless to say, i enjoyed some like the Jian Bing Thin Pancakes and strolling through the hutongs of Nanluoguoxiang. But to be frank, in general, the Chinese food was not exactly my liking.
My Beijinger Journey: Beijing Big
My Beijinger Journey: I Climbed the Great Wall of China
My Beijinger Journey: A City Forbidden
My Beijinger Journey: An Ugly Stain
My Beijinger Journey: Summer Palace's Vacation
My Beijinger Journey: Olympic Park Booms and Night Walk
My Beijinger Journey: Temple of Heaven, Lama Temple, Confucius Temple
My Beijinger Journey: Shopping and (Exotic) Food Walk
My Beijinger Journey: Panda Overload and the Next Stop
My Beijinger Journey: Beijing Big
My Beijinger Journey: I Climbed the Great Wall of China
My Beijinger Journey: A City Forbidden
My Beijinger Journey: An Ugly Stain
My Beijinger Journey: Summer Palace's Vacation
My Beijinger Journey: Olympic Park Booms and Night Walk
My Beijinger Journey: Temple of Heaven, Lama Temple, Confucius Temple
My Beijinger Journey: Shopping and (Exotic) Food Walk
My Beijinger Journey: Panda Overload and the Next Stop
Comments
Post a Comment