Lost Plate Blog

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

Our Latest Posts:

Bowl of noodles with chopsticks

9 Cultural Tips to Understand Before Visiting & Eating in China

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.

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Vineyard view with mountains

Ningxia: The Bordeaux of China – Why the World’s Savviest Wine Drinkers Are Looking to Western China

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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Beijing's temple of Heaven

How To Get a Tourist Visa to China

Planning a trip to China? For most travelers, obtaining a tourist visa (L-Visa) is essential before arrival, but there are several exceptions and visa-free options that could simplify your journey. Here’s a comprehensive look at what you need to know.

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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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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

Find the best food on one of our award-winning food tours!

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.

Xian Food Tours Why People Choose Us

Keep Reading:

best Portland winter festivals and Christmas events
Portland

The Best Portland Winter Festivals & Christmas Events

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.

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Portland Travel Guide
Portland

Portland Travel Guide

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.

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Biang Biang Noodles Being Picked Up By Chopsticks
China

Xian 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.

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Chengdu Hotpot Food Tour Feature
Chengdu

A Complete Guide to the Best Hotpot in Chengdu, Sichuan

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!

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24-hours-in-phnom-penh-russian-market-1
Cambodia

A Guide to the Best Markets in Phnom Penh Cambodia

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!

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Old Beijing Hutong Photo Walk Big Arch
China

China Travel Tips

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!

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China

Best Restaurants in Xian, China

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.

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Beijing Egg Filled Pancake Recipe
Beijing

Beijing Egg Filled Pancake Recipe

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.

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Beijing

Best Hotels in Beijing

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.

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Chengdu Hotpot Food Tour Feature
Chengdu

Chengdu Travel Guide

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.

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Best Hotels in Chengdu
Chengdu

Best Hotels in 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!

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Chengdu Evening Food Tour Contact Us
Chengdu

The Best Reasons to Visit Chengdu

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.

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History-of-Cider-Portland-Oregon-Flight
Portland

Cider in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest – Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Cider, Part 3

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.

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Portlands Best Summer Events & Festivals
Portland

Portland’s Best Summer Events & Festivals

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.

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History-of-Cider-Portland-Oregon-Flight
Portland

The American History of Cider – Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Cider, Part 1

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.)

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Phnom Penh Food Tour Independence Monument
Cambodia

Cambodia Travel Tips: Know Before You Go

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.

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China

Hike Huashan Mountain near Xian, China

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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