Top 5 - Chinese Street Foods.

In This First Issue Of Top 5: Chinese Street Foods, We Will Take A Look One Of The Most Popular Items On Menus In China, as well as the Western World.
We will focus on 3 main criteria: Relatability, Fun-Factor and, most importantly, Flavour.

But first...

There is a prevailing misconception that all Chinese food tastes the same, is unhealthy and generally derived from questionable sources.
We will look at this in another issue, but first let's look at WHAT Chinese food actually is and compare it to what we in the Western World have been given to understand about it.

It is likely that we have all had some form of Chinese Take-Out at some point in our lives, but is that Shanghai Steak or Sweet n Sour Chicken from the place next to the 7-11 really a fair reflection on the reality of Chinese Cuisine?
The short answer is NO...
Most of what we eat on those nights- when we choose to stay in and watch Game of Thrones while we chow down- is in fact, a vastly different, watered-down version of real Chinese Food that has been designed to avoid a massive system shock and keep the Profit Margin in tact.

Speaking specifically about Sichuan Cuisine, lets look at a popular dish in The West: Kung Pow Chicken...

The Western Version of this Dish generally utilises Chicken Breast Meat, Citrus Juice such as Orange Juice, Roasted Peanuts and a pinch of Chilli to go go with the Starchy, Sweet-but-Tangy Sauce that soaks into the Rice or Noodles it calls Home.
But how similar is this to the Original, Sichuan Version?

For starters, Chinese Gong Bao/Kung Po is comprised of Chicken that contains a little more Cartilage. Diced Thighs and Drumsticks are commonly used and preferred for their Juicy, Crunchy properties. No citrus is used here and the Sweet/Tangy Flavour is derived from the Marinade and Sauce ingredients which include Sugar, Cooking Wine and Vinegar. Raw Peanuts are also preferred and to top it all off you have the much maligned Red Sichuan Peppercorns that have the ability to make you question the Continued Existence of your Mouth once you bite into them!

The Generous use of Chilli in the Original Version does not help this situation in the slightest.

In Summary: The real thing is a lot less saucy, a lot hotter and is Not Really That Popular in China. Most Chinese people think that the dish has too strong a flavour to be enjoyed without rice (no, Chinese people don't eat rice with every meal) and the dish generally reminds them of tough times in China when the dish was created and was a staple on menus after economic reform in the country.
This leaves us with one conclusion: Do Not Expect Chinese Food in China to be anything like Western Chinese Food.

With that in mind, lets look at the First Item to be covered in this Series: NOODLES!
SPICY SICHUAN NOODLES, to be exact...

Ah yes, that much-loved destroyer of diets and Office Attire that most of us have all wrestled with during lunch!
Generally being considered a brunch/lunch kind of thing in China does not stop the locals from enjoying a hot bowl of Soupy Noodles at any time of the day. Most street noodle dishes share a common base of Broth, Oil, Soy and Veg and are topped with a protein of your choice. From Beef to Pork and anything between, Noodles are by far the most widely consumed food in Sichuan Province.
So lets look at it terms of our 3 criteria.

1- Relatability.

If you have ever been to College or Shared a Home with Anyone whilst slaving away at your Entry Level Job, you are likely to have consumed the infamous Noodle Cups that grace the shelves at your local Walmart.

This, however, is hardly a reflection of what you will find on the streets of China. With a much more subtle flavour and raw, uninhibited use of chilli/chilli oil, the real thing leaves Instant Noodles in the rearview mirror at a canter.
Relatable, Yes, but a Revolution in Understanding and Appreciation for Quality.

Relatability Score: 7/10.

2- Fun-Factor.

Hardly anywhere close to as much fun as an Authentic Teppenyaki Experience, but it has its own appeal.
From ordering and sitting at a tiny table next to a busy street in order to enjoy the Soupy Goodness to the looks of Shock and Awe on the faces of the locals, this can be a mini-adventure all on its own. Don't expect an oil-free table, an attentive server or a customer feedback card. Get in, chow down, get out.

Fun-Factor Score: 4/10.

3- Flavour.

It is important to note that Variations play a big part in Flavour and Choosing The Right Vendor can make all the difference.
Generally speaking though, It Is Apples And Oranges when compared to the Instant Staple of Dorm Rooms the Western World Over.
Full of Fresh, Brothy Flavour, Heaps of Seasoning and Crunchy Veg; it is possible to Feel The Nutritious, Deliciousness Permeate the Entirity of your being.

Flavour Score: 6/10.

Conclusion...

A lack of fun can not undo the Awesomosity that is Real Chinese Noodles!
Unless you actually try it yourself, it is impossible to convey in words what one goes through on an emotional level when you realise that you have been duped by Instant Noodle Co your entire life.