Lost Plate Blog

Our guide to the best things to eat, see, and do in all of our destinations.

Our Latest Posts:

Rose Honey Grapes Growing in the Cathedral Vineyard

The Last Rose Honey Wine Varietal in the World: Wine Tasting in Shangrila, Yunnan

This is a story about how a yak herder, a French grape, and how a forgotten village gave rise to one of the world’s rarest wines. We begin high in the mountains of Yunnan, one of China’s Western-most provinces, where the Mekong River slices through Tibetan foothills and Catholic church spires rise from the center of timeless villages. There we meet Hongxing, a small boy herding yaks for his family in the remote village of Cizhong.

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Basket of Xian Soup Dumplings

Xian’s Best Soup Dumplings: A Bite-Sized Tale from Our Xian Evening Tour

In the bustling alleys of Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter, where street food and local delicacies narrate the city’s rich history and culture, one small restaurant stands out for its unique flavors and unwavering commitment to tradition. Zhiliang Steamed Dumplings is not just a beloved staple for locals; it’s become a must-try stop for travelers seeking the authentic taste of Xi’an.

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Hand holding Chengdu egg baked pancakes

Chengdu’s Favorite Street-Food: The Story of Egg Baked Pancakes

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.

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Best Beijing Cafes and Coffee Shops

Beijing’s Best Cafes & Coffee Shops in 2025

Coffee culture isn’t strong (or native) in China, but these cafes in Beijing will have you thinking otherwise. Criteria for our list considered all of the following: good coffee, decent wifi, comfortable vibe, and clean bathrooms.

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Beijing's Best Restaurants in 2024

Beijing’s Best Restaurants in 2025

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.

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Our Recipes:

Bai Saight Chrou: Cambodian Breakfast Pork & Rice
2 Reviews
5/5
Mild, Authentic Family Recipe
+4 hr
Bring on the Sichuan Heat
1 Review
5/5
Spicy
Chinese Cold Cucumbers
0 Reviews
0.0/5
Mild, Quick & Easy
1-2 hrs
Cinnamon & Anise Infused Simple Syrup
1 Review
5/5
Sweet, Quick & Easy
Coconut Cinnamon Spice Ooooo That’s Nice
0 Reviews
0.0/5
Sweet, Quick & Easy
Dan Dan Noodles
2 Reviews
5/5
Spicy, Authentic Family Recipe
40 mins
Dang, That’s a Hot Toddy!
0 Reviews
0.0/5
Mild, Quick & Easy, Holiday Recipe
Don’t Ya Know That You’re Tonic
0 Reviews
0.0/5
Quick & Easy

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