Without a doubt I consider myself as a member of the former group. Beijing is just so much cooler. It has a long and storied history, it has culture, and of course, it has kaoya. Shanghai, on the other hand (and in my humble opinion), is way too westernized and as a result...has no soul (I mean that in the nicest way possible, of course).
That being said, however, I must dedicate this post to something incredible I encountered in Shanghai that has completely changed my life...
生煎包!! (shengjianbao!!)
It all started while i was wandering around nanjinglu in Shanghai and complaining to Ms. 奇奇 about just how Shanghai was too modern, western and clean for me (the last reason in particular bothered me the most). She then directed me to this side alley completely packed with food stands and told me to seek out this particular stand that was known for its baos (dumplings), claiming that "this should be dirty enough for you" (twss). I was really skeptical at first. I don't mean to brag, but I am quite the dumpling master (some could argue that i go so far as to resemble one too...but that's a whole different story)...and i've seen and tried all sorts and types of dumplings in my time. I know dumplings, and so i was certain i would not find something that would impress me all that much. OH MY GOD WAS I WRONG.
Here is the famous "YANG' SFRY DUMPLING" stand. Weirdly enough there are two of them side by side, and to show how ridiculously popular these are, there were literally 15 minute lines coming out of BOTH of them
These dumplings have changed my life. They are just that incredible. The meat is so tender and juicy, the skin is so fresh and at times crunchy, and it is covered in sesame seeds and drenched in an egregious amount of what probably is the most unhealthiest oil ever. I've been in Shanghai only about 30 hours...I've already gone there twice and I fully intend to get some more for breakfast tomorrow morning before our flight out. They are just that addicting.
Score one for Shanghai.
ugh so jealous. i miss dirty asian street food. :( the kind we have here never looks/smells good enough to forfeit my fear of food poisoning/death.
ReplyDeleteHaha,welcome to join the Love Beijing club! I totally agree with your comment about the two cities, that is exactly how I feel about them! Beijing is absolutely the most unique and amazaing city in China, there is just no way Shanghai could compete with it bc Shanghai just does not has the authentic soul and spirit of this old country, which you can never find more in other place in China than Beijing!
ReplyDeleteThe Shengjianbao in Shanghai is quit good though, Anthony's nick name when we travelled in Shanghai is Shengjianbao...hahaha...
R.
Dude, Shanghai dumplings are the ISH. I wish you mailed me some. God, Id go back to China just for that...... plus some more. We really wanted to go check out those mountains too, but Jay said he was done. =(
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