Beijing Quickie


I hope the title doesn't give you a wrong impression. Don't bookmark my blog into your porn list just yet! I just wanted to post this quick little snack I found in China!

It's a little something I found while walking around in Beijing sometime in December 2005. At Minus 8 Degree temperature!



On the right... it is I, The Anonymous Food Tripper in full winter gear! Forever scouring every corner of the globe (that my wallet permits) to discover new tastes, new textures and new food cultures that have yet to be discovered by bloggers of planet Earth.

Well actually some of the food I find is no real big wup, but who cares! As long as I enjoy finding them and enjoy sharing them with everyone!

Now let us move on to the food I found in the streets of Beijing.

As we walked across the Forbidden City we found an old lady by the sidewalk forming on a flat round hot plate what looked much like a french crepe.

Upon closer scrutiny I saw her scoop a spoonful of her batter (mixed with egg) and pour it on the hot plate. As the batter started to form a round omelette-like appearance. The cook put some chives and veggies I dont really recognize and then brushed a brown souce on top. Then she skilfully picks it up with her oversized chopsticks and suddenly rolls it up like a shawarma and serves it.

To make a long story short I loved it! It was a very satisfying snack on a freezing winter day!

The bread tasted much like a Malaysian Roti however its the fillings that made the difference.

It had a sort of peanut buttery flavor and the veggies tasted really great.

My sis (Who is now an adopted daughter of the People's Republic of China) describes the concoction as : crepe with egg, pickled vegetables, chili, crunchy sheet of something, kinchay, special sauce and chili.

So whenever you happen to passby Beijing, look for this snack (which I failed to ask what it was called. I really need to start asking).

And if you do try it. Remember me...The Anonymous Food Tripper , who braved the winter chill, the scary foreign land and even...diarrhea. Just to be able to tell the world of these wonderful discoveries.

So in the spirit of Marco polo, Christopher Clumbus ans The Enterprise. See you soon as you join my never ending culinary journey to places no tongue has been to before! Bye for now :)

The Bocaue style Lechon in Bulacan


Whenever we would go to Bulacan, we would always make it a point to passby a little stall along Mc Arthur highway on our way back to Manila.



It's located on the right side of Mc Arthur Highway right before you make a left going to the Expressway in Bulacan



An old lady mans the stall sometimes with her husband but most of the time by herself.



One or her specialties is the SINUSO, which is the mammary glands of a mother pig. This she sells with her regular Lechon slabs and also her very tasty Bituka ng baboy, which is very crunchy yet not so oily.



She would take pride in telling you that she eats BABOY every day of her life yet is in the pink of health. :)



Aling Neneng's Original Liempo is a landmark in Bocaue. Many copycats have sprouted around her little stall but they have all come and gone.

Aling Neneng is an institution.

She makes special mxture with her vinegar that goes perfectly with her lechon products.

A special treat is when she chops some peices of her lechon stuff for you to try.

For some reason, eating pieces of lechon while it is being chopped always seem to taste ten times better than when it is already served at your table!

Maybe it's the risk of your fingers being chopped off as you get, or the anticipation of picking the best morsels while you are standing beside the chopping board. Or then again maybe its just ME :p



On the right is a sneak peak of Madam Neneng of Bocaue with her worldclass lechon :)


Now let me give you some tips on how to get your moneys worth with Aling Neneng:

1. Engage in very light small talk. Complement her lechon, ask about how she started and mention how her lechon glistens when hit by the rays of the McArthur sunset.

2. Once you notice that she is pleased with your small talk, try to ask for as much Patikim as possible! hehe

3. Always weigh your order after it has been chopped. If you weigh it before it is chopped you will notice that the weight decreases after chopping. (i dont have a scientific explanation for this, i figured that its just the oil splashing out as it is chopped hehe )
4. Enjoy you fresh and hot lechon and bring some for your loved ones!

I hope you foodies out there can try this special Bulacan treat .

Sometimes great culinary discoveries can be found right in your own neigborhood. And if you do find one, please don't be selfish! Let other people know. Let ME know. The Anonymous Food Tripper.....signing off ....till the next time! Woooo Hoooo!!!