Fuchsia Dunlop on Chinese Food, Culture, and Travel
Nov 16, 2016
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Fuchsia Dunlop, expert on Chinese cuisine, joins Tyler for a conversation on truly enjoying Chinese food, including where to visit, how to order, key ingredients to keep, her favorite dishes, and why sea cucumbers are a must. They also discuss the evolution of Chinese cookbooks, the cultural significance of Chinatowns and Dream of the Red Chamber, tips for doing a food tour in China, farmhouse cooking similarities with Italian cuisine, exploring the cuisine of Shandam Province, and preserving traditional Chinese cuisine at Dragon Well Manor.
Chinese food tours provide a unique opportunity to experience the rich culinary traditions and cultural history of China.
When cooking Chinese food in the West, it is important to have key ingredients such as ginger, Sichuan sauce, and soy sauce on hand.
Underrated foods in Chinese cuisine include insects like larvae, while luxury ingredients like shark's fin and bird's nest are considered overrated.
Deep dives
China Food Tour: Exploring the World's Preeminent Cuisine
China is known for its world-renowned cuisine, offering unparalleled diversity and sophistication. From exquisite banquet cookery to exciting street food, China has something for everyone. Food tours in China provide a unique opportunity to experience the rich culinary traditions of the country. Not only do these tours offer a chance to indulge in bold and spicy flavors, but they also serve as a window into Chinese culture and history.
Navigating Chinese Cuisine: Tips for Finding the Best Food in Shanghai
When in Shanghai, it can be overwhelming to find the best places to eat, especially if you don't speak Chinese or have local friends. However, there are ways to navigate the culinary scene and discover delicious meals. One approach is to look for recommendations from locals or authentic sources. If you're on the street, trust your senses and be drawn to stalls or shops that are cooking in full view. Researching specific dishes or having their names in Chinese can also help you order with confidence. In Shanghai, must-try dishes include Red-Braised Pork, Shanghai-Nise Wantons in Soup, and a fusion-style Crab Meat, Potato, and Tomato Soup.
Preserving Chinese Culinary Traditions: Challenges and Hope for the Future
Chinese cuisine, like cuisines around the world, faces challenges in the modern era. Factors such as the availability of ready-prepared and imported ingredients, a busy lifestyle, and a decline in cooking skills threaten traditional culinary traditions. However, there is hope for the preservation of Chinese culinary heritage. Many individuals and organizations in China are recognizing the value of preserving traditional food culture. Efforts, such as supporting local farmers and artisans, promoting sustainable practices, and focusing on the cultural significance of food, are gaining popularity. By appreciating and valuing the rich history and diversity of Chinese cuisine, there is an opportunity to prevent its decline and ensure its continuation for future generations.
Essential Chinese Ingredients for Cooking
When cooking Chinese food in the West, there are a few key ingredients to have on hand. These include ginger, Sichuan sauce, green onions, Sichuan peppercorns, Chinese brown rice vinegar, a good soy sauce, pure toasted sesame oil, and Sichuanese fermented chili and fava bean paste. These ingredients can be found in Chinatown or specialty stores and are versatile for cooking a wide range of Chinese dishes.
Underrated and Overrated Foods
In the podcast, the host and guest discuss underrated and overrated foods. They mention that eating insects, such as larvae, can be underrated because they have a delicate and delicious taste with a subtle savory flavor. On the other hand, milk is considered overrated due to personal preferences and the belief that it doesn't taste good. They also touch on the luxury ingredients in Chinese cuisine, such as shark's fin and bird's nest, which they find to be overrated compared to simple home cooking or regional Chinese cuisines.
For centuries, China has treated its cuisine with a reverence and delight that is only just starting to emerge with Western “foodie” culture. No one understands this better than Fuchsia Dunlop, who has spent her career learning about the fantastic diversity in Chinese food, and who is one of Tyler’s favorite writers on any subject.
She joined Tyler over dinner at one of his favorite restaurants in DC to talk about all aspects of how to truly enjoy Chinese food, including where to visit, how to order, the few key ingredients to keep in your pantry, her favorite Chinese dishes, what Chinese chefs think about Western food, and why you should really learn to love sea cucumbers.
For this conversation, Tyler was also joined by Ezra Klein, past CWT guest and editor-in-chief of Vox.com, chef and super-taster Mark Miller, journalist Megan McArdle, and Eva Summer, a graduate student from Shandong province. Their comments can be found in the Q&A near the end of the chat.
