Since coming to China, food has been one major thing that has pushed me out of my comfort zone (being that I have been an extremely picky eater). But, I am glad to say that after spending a number of months here, I am so in love with the food! In each area of China you can find a number of different “specialties” if you will. My biggest piece of advice is to do your research and try as much food as you can! Ningbo had so many different types of food, but they are known for their seafood. Now, initially the food can look (and smell) quite different from the food I was used to in the West. But once you give it a try, I am sure you will love it! On UNNC’s campus, at around 10:30pm every night they had what we called “street food”. A number of different local vendors would gather around the entrance of the campus and sell food! This was one of the best ways to try different local cuisines, at a very low price might I add. There is dumplings, rice, rice cakes, noodles, even squid on a stick! Be advised though, most of this food can be quite spicy (I always asked for no spice – Wo bu yao la “我不要啦”）a phrase I used quite often. When traveling around China I always researched local specialties, a lot of times you can find blogs of people who have been there for recommended restaurants. Here are a couple of my favorites:
Ningbo:
1. Ganesha Indian Restaurant (I know, Indian food weird but some of the best I have ever had!)
2. Grandma’s Home (Chinese)
3. Tie Ge Bi (Chinese)
4. Tuanyuan Restaurant (Chinese)
5. Canteen 3 (If you are on UNNC, this is by far my favorite canteen!)
6. Amore’s Italian Restaurant
Shanghai:
1. Shanghai Haidilao Hot Pot (Great place to try hot pot!)
2. Yang’s Fried Dumplings (Try the soup dumplings, Shanghai must!)
3. FuChun XiaoLong (Chinese)
Beijing:
1. Jing Ya Tang (Great place for duck, a must have in Beijing!)
2. Din Tai Fun (Chinese)
3. Home Plate BBQ (surprisingly very good BBQ!)
Hangzhou:
1. BaiLu Restaurant (Chinese)
2. Non Tang Li (Chinese)
3. Tea houses here are also very good! Try any next to West Lake
Xian:
1. Tea houses here are also very good, there are a number by the Terracotta Warriors
2. First Noodle Under the Sun (Chinese)
Chengdu:
1. The place to try Hot Pot!!
2. LongChaoShou (Chinese)
3. Ponti’s Ristorante (Italian)