When I close my eyes and think of Chengdu, it’s not skyscrapers or pandas I see first – it’s a smell: chili oil, caramelized sugar, and the comforting aroma of yeast drifting up from sizzling griddles filled with golden half-moons of dough. These are dan hong gao (蛋烘糕), translated directly as egg baked pancakes, and to me they’re my entire childhood wrapped up in a delicious package.
From Peking duck to the humble dumpling, we have compiled a few of our favorite foreigner-friendly local restaurants in Beijing. Criteria for this list means they have menus with English and/or photos and serve authentic and stupid-delicious fare. This is your meal itinerary if you’re traveling through Beijing. Don’t just pick one, try them all.
Shanghai boasts a unique culinary style known as ‘Benbang’ (本帮菜) or ‘Hu cuisine’ (沪菜). Originating in communal neighborhoods, this cuisine emphasizes the natural essence of fresh, seasonal ingredients—from vegetables and seafood to delicate water plants. Influenced by nearby regions like Zhejiang, Suzhou, and Anhui, these dishes balance light, delicate flavors with just the right hints of sweetness and savory depth.
Planning a trip with the whole family – whether that means toddlers, teens, or even grandparents – can be a logistical puzzle. These curated multi-day trips focus on hands-on activities packed with local flavor (literally) and experiences that are perfect for everyone.
Before you dive into China’s rich culture and delicious food, there are a few things you should know to help you feel more comfortable and avoid any awkward moments. From water etiquette to understanding the nuances of Chinese dining customs, this quick guide will help you navigate your way through everyday experiences with ease and confidence.
You probably don’t think of China when you think of wine. That’s about to change. Hidden in China’s remote northwest, where the vast Gobi desert meets the Helan mountain range, a quiet wine revolution is unfolding. Ningxia, once known for sheep herding and sandstorms, is now producing some of the most exciting wines in the world—and almost nobody knows about it.
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This is not your standard "go to a market and then a street-food stall" experience. We’re way beyond that. Come visit us throughout China, Cambodia, and Portland USA.
If you’re looking for some locally inspired gifts for the foodies in your life then our Portland Gift Guide for Foodies is going to be perfect; we’re not sure there is a more passionate group of foodies in Portland than us! These are the first places we go when we’re looking for something fun to treat ourselves (or our loved ones.) Plus a bonus snack stop at the bottom if you’re looking to treat yourself as well.
A fair amount of visitors take advantage of one of Siem Reap’s many unique offerings: bugs. Well, bugs for eating. But it’s not just a tourist trap, The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates that two billion people, more than a quarter of the world’s population, eat bugs as part of their standard diet.
Pub Street is cool for a short while, but the best bars aren’t there. Check out our guide to the best places to grab a drink in Siem Reap.
The Great Wall is a must-visit for everyone visiting China, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to do on your own. Navigating Beijing and far-away places like the Great Wall is not simple even if you speak Chinese. Eliminate the hassle of figuring everything out by yourself – sometimes tours are the best way to see things! Trust us.
Grab a warm drink and get your cheer on with this list of the best Portland winter festivals and Christmas events happening this holiday season! From lights to trains to parties to extreme sports, Portland is the place to be for the holidays and we’ve got you covered.
Don’t miss these bars and restaurants for the best Portland happy hours and deals in town!
What to eat, where to stay, what to do, how to get around; we’ve got it all covered in our free Portland, Oregon Travel Guide.
What to eat, where to stay, what to do, how to get around; we’ve got it all covered in our free Xian Travel Guide.
This Phnom Penh Travel Guide is packed full of tips for what to eat, drink, do, and where to stay, plus a lot more!
Everyone knows that they need to try hotpot when visiting Chengdu, but few people know about the different types of hotpot the city has to offer. Take a look at our list of the best hotpot in Chengdu and the different ways locals enjoy this insanely spicy soup and the best places to find it!
A visit to Cambodia isn’t complete until you visit at least one Phnom Penh markets. Whether you’re looking for souvenirs, food, discounted clothing, or local handicrafts – they have everything. The best part is that no matter where you are, they’re just a short tuktuk ride away!
Portland’s location provides a huge variety of different sights and climates to explore nearby. Here is our list of the best things to do within an hour of Portland, Oregon!
There are a few good things to know before you travel to China that will prepare you for the unexpected and make your trip a lot easier. To avoid surprises, take a look at our China Travel Tips to make your trip more successful!
The most common question we get from guests on our Xian food tours is “Where should we eat?” It’s a really good question since most authentic and local places have no English options (like the amazing places we selected for our Morning and Evening Food Tours.) With that said, the restaurant scene in Xian serves up some amazing Shaanxi local dishes. We hand-picked the Xian restaurants listed below because we love them, visit often and are the first places we take friends and family members who visit.
If you have joined our Beijing Breakfast Food Tour, you already know why our favorite stop is visiting the He family’s Egg Filled Pancake Shop – also know as Jidan Guan Bing. These small, savory pancake-like pastries filled with egg and flavored with chili (or soybean paste) are a lesser-known foodie delight, and lucky for us they’ve shared their family recipe.
We’re often asked by our food tour guests to recommend the best hotels in Beijing, so we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite places to stay. Not only are their reputations high, they are English-friendly, offer some incredible dining options, and provide unique a Beijing experience.
What to eat, where to stay, what to do, how to get around; we’ve got it all covered in our free travel guide for Chengdu, China.
Chengdu is a relaxed place to hang out, and the city holds some of our favorite places to stay in China. We hear all about hotel experiences from our guests every day, so here’s a list of the best hotels in Chengdu – keeping location, feedback, and foodies in mind!
When you ask a tourist what they know about Chengdu, their answer will be that it’s where pandas are from. When you ask a Chinese what they think about Chengdu, there are always a few things on their mind.
Cider in the United States has a long history. The old soggy cap that was put away for winter storage (prohibition) never really recovered the industry. Decades later, we finally have the beginning of a situation where the demand for cider is increasing, so people have been producing more and more. However, heritage apple varieties that produce good quality cider are in short supply.
Apples originated in central Asia and were originally cultivated in places like Azerbaijan and Turkey. Through trade and migration, apples spread across the globe. For cider, the result has led to only a handful of regions known for their top-quality cider. It’s likely that any area growing apples also fermented them at some point in time.
This is your complete guide to the Portland’s Best Summer Foodie Events and Food & Beer Festivals, brought to you by our team of foodies in Portland, Oregon!
As you have probably figured out by now, we at Lost Plate really like eating – and we really like eating at special events in the summer! But summer isn’t just about food festivals and ice cream every day – here is a list of the best Portland summer events & festivals that you will want to check out.
America has a strong history with cider. The tradition and trees were brought over by European immigrants. At that time, cider was a safe, accessible, and common drink when water sanitation wasn’t where it is today. Cider was at one time as American as apple pie and made from apple varieties that are nothing like what we buy today in the grocery store (and are still not readily accessible.)
Cambodia’s generally a pretty easy place to travel. English is widely spoken, people are friendly, and expenses are pretty reasonable once you touch ground. Even so, here’s a couple things to make your trip extra-comfortable.
In 2021, the New Year falls on February 12th, and in China everyone gets some time off to spend with their families from February 11th through 17th. The direct translation for this holiday in Chinese translates to “Spring Festival” and celebrates the arrival of spring.
The Qinling mountain range is one of the largest in China and many people are surprised to see how close they are on a clear day in Xian. Hua Shan’s jagged peaks and stunning landscape are one-of-a-kind and hiking Huashan Mountain is definitely worth adding to your Xian itinerary. For the adventure seeker, it also holds the Plank trail, often dubbed as the most dangerous hike in the world!
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