My latest WildChina food tour
In October, I took another group of adventurers on a gastronomic tour of China, from Beijing, through Xi’an, Chengdu and Hangzhou, to Shanghai. It’s always a…
The gastronomic adventures of Michelle Obama in China
While I was in Chengdu in March, I found myself staying in the same hotel as Michelle Obama for a couple of nights. Despite our proximity,…
‘Extravant eating and drinking has never been part of Chinese culture’ (!)
Over the last year, high-end restaurants in China have been struck as if by lightning by President Xi Jinping’s ‘anti-corruption campaign’ and ban on dining out…
The Long March of Chinese regional cooking in Britain
You can read my article on the new Chinese regional restaurants in the Guardian here. I thought I’d use my blog to offer a bit more…
Hutong at the Shard (or Chinese food at the top of the world)
Well, I was a total shard-sceptic, but now, having been inside the building for the first time, I have to admit I’ve been converted. A friend…
Fancy a buckwheat noodle enema?
I know it’s something of a cliche to giggle at Chinese menu mistranslations, but the menu I came across at lunchtime today was such a spectacular…
Anyone for chop suey at the Chinese Delmonico?
Thanks to Cool Culinaria for sending me samples from their new collection of vintage Chinese restaurant menu prints, which date from the late nineteenth century to…
Chinese reflections on British life
Over dinner with some Sichuanese chef and restaurateur friends in London, this is what I was told: “The other day a Romanian woman came into my…
Lucky Peach Chinatown issue!
Very happy to be in the Chinatown issue of Lucky Peach, which is out now! It’s a fantastic issue, packed with interesting stuff. Londoners can find…
Gastronomic tour of China åƒè´§å›¢ï¼
I’m currently in Shanghai, after the end of my first gastronomic tour with WildChina! I spent ten days or so introducing a small group (ten guests)…