You ever got to a Chinese restaurant and notice that there are sometimes 2 different menus out on the tables? If you've never been to a more authentic place, you've probably never seen it. Basically, the more asian diners there are, the more authentic the place will be. Thats where you should eat and thats where you'll probably see the mythical secret menu.
Now I've seen this menu quite a few times in my lifetime and admittedly am not so sure how 'secret' it really is. In fact, by 'secret', it may just really mean that its in Chinese and I can't read it. That being said, I've heard rumors and seen tv food shows in which they basically allude to the fact that there are other specialty items on the 2nd menus that are not seen on the english speaking ones. I haven't been able to confirm whether this is true or not, but I'll find out and follow up on this post. I know for a fact that 'Fortune' in Milwaukee has a 2nd menu as does 'Evergreen' in Chicago.
Either way, both of these restaurants are excellent and the telltale sign is of course the asian diners. So keep an eye out and follow the asians cause we know how to eat!
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Tea customs
Recently, I was at Evergreen in China Town with some family (Auntie Nora, Josie, Samantha, and Christianne, my parents, and Kelly) which happens to be my mom's favorite there. Its a Cantonese/Szechuan joint. Whenever you go to a Chinese restaurant, there are a couple of interesting tea customs to take note of. Of course I'm no expert, but I am Chinese and have had hundreds if not thousands of Chinese meals by now.
The first tea custom you'll notice is almost immediately. As soon as you sit down at the waitstaff appears, they'll ask you what type of tea you'd like. Not whether you want tea, but what type of tea you'd like. I'm not a tea expert per se, but a couple usual types offered are oolong and chrysanthemum. Teacups are almost always already set at the table so enjoy.
Its customary for you to pour tea for others and elders before you pour and fill your own cup. Once the teapot is empty all you need to do is lift the lid and keep it open. Whenever a server notices it, they will automatically come fill it. Thats standard procedure.
One last tea custom comes to mind. I'm sure there are others, but as I've mentioned, I'm not expert. This last one is particularly interesting and one I didn't pick up on until I was at least in high school, maybe college. In a nutshell, if someone fills your cup, which will probably be often, you can say thanks, nod your head, or as most Chinese do, 'tap' the table. By tapping, one will tap with either their index, middle, or a combination of these fingers. I couldn't remember the reasoning or explanation for it so here a link to one.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_tea_culture
Next time your at a Chinese restaurant, take notice of these and any more that I may have missed.
The first tea custom you'll notice is almost immediately. As soon as you sit down at the waitstaff appears, they'll ask you what type of tea you'd like. Not whether you want tea, but what type of tea you'd like. I'm not a tea expert per se, but a couple usual types offered are oolong and chrysanthemum. Teacups are almost always already set at the table so enjoy.
Its customary for you to pour tea for others and elders before you pour and fill your own cup. Once the teapot is empty all you need to do is lift the lid and keep it open. Whenever a server notices it, they will automatically come fill it. Thats standard procedure.
One last tea custom comes to mind. I'm sure there are others, but as I've mentioned, I'm not expert. This last one is particularly interesting and one I didn't pick up on until I was at least in high school, maybe college. In a nutshell, if someone fills your cup, which will probably be often, you can say thanks, nod your head, or as most Chinese do, 'tap' the table. By tapping, one will tap with either their index, middle, or a combination of these fingers. I couldn't remember the reasoning or explanation for it so here a link to one.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_tea_culture
Next time your at a Chinese restaurant, take notice of these and any more that I may have missed.
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