After walking into Dali 5 elements hostel, I walked out with my new Korean friend, which I feel horrible about the fact that I can't remember his name. We had several food and bicycle exploring adventures.
This was a local bread, which you can find all over China, with either sweet or savoury filling.
From Chengdu, I flew to Dali in the Yunnan province (section right above vietnam), which was recommended by travellers.
The old town is very touristy in the centre, but if you explore outside, you can find some amazing spots.
These are I guess Dali noodles.
From a big lump of jello stuff, they scrap off noodles, and add about 10 different garnishes. I believe the noodles are made from either squash or rice. I took half half, and it was amazing. Some toppings included: chili, green onion, sprouts, coriander, some kind of coleslaw (that vinegar hint), and more. It hit all the good taste buds. Sweet, salty, sour.
Chengdu is known for it's classic hot pot, which is a pot of broth placed on a burner at the centre of the table, accompanied by selected vegetables and meats for you to cook inside. It usually is thinly sliced beef, dumplings, seafood, leafy greens, etc.
Another thing however, I noticed that it caused certain travellers to mark on the back of the bathroom stall doors "fucking hot pot!".
So it's at your own risk!
In this province, the broth is oily, spicy, and requires at least 2 people since you can't eat it all alone. I did not get a chance to try it in Chengdu, but keep posted for pictures on my hot pot experience in Beijing.
Here are some food shots in Chengdu:
Chengdu old town
Don't ask, I never ordered it
Stir fry pork and greens by super Cute chinese people next to the hostel (with Yarden from Israel :) )
Spicy oily noodle soup with pork chop, roasted peanuts, and greens.
so this was much later on in my trip, but I had to share.
This takes place in the Yangshuo market (southeastern China).
My favourite part about a new city is finding the market, and spending hours there with my camera equipment... but this market had many things I had never seen before, and not sure if I should have scarred my memory with!
At first my friend and I were all pumped to try dog and be adventurous, but after the day trip to the market, I think I lost my appetite for quite some time. Seeing all these innocent creatures locked up, in a dirty smelly cage, right behind the selection of their caramelized hanging split open friends.
I was told dog meat keeps you warm, so best to eat it in the winter time.
I also saw a cat being blow torched, which i guess gives it that nice brown sales appeal colour.
Now I know why people say Chinese really eat everything, and you never know what your gona get!
Dog restaurant attempt. FAILED
She is totally blow torching a cat in the background.
Why is this easier to look at?
Pigs feet
liver, testicles, stomach, and intestines of the pig
From Phnom Penh, I arrived late at night in Chengdu (Sichuan Province). I stayed at the Chengdu Mix hostel which was awesome! It's the kind of place that feels like home, the food was great, awesome lounge area to meet people, and you end up staying for at least 4 days. The city itself is less populated, and pretty relaxed. Has some nice parks, a walmart!, touristy old town, and harder to find street food.
The 2 things to do in Chengdu is a day trip to see the largest carved stone buddah in the world, (Leshan's Giant buddah) about 2.5 hours drive, and to see the Pandas (in town). It costs about the same to go on your own by bus, or with a group through the hostel to Leshan. Some people prefer to go solo so they can work their way down into the Yunnan Province.
This meal forced me to learn my first bit of Mandarin "bu yao weijing" which means "no msg".
Just like they throw in a bit of salt, the also throw in a bit of MSG, and my stomach felt like you pumped it with gallons of air.
Sadly its hard to avoid in China... is salt not enough??
it was the cheapest place in Southeast Asia, the warmest, friendliest people, and street food was a little bit sad. If you want to break off the tourist track, this is a great country for it.
This last post is in the name of this adorable, gorgeous blue-eyed child, that came running out of no where, to hug me and never let me go, in a floating village outside Siem Riep.
