#shan xi sliced noodles

[zip001]

we made some chinese noodles (shan xi sliced noodles) that looked like thin lasagna noodles with slightly frilly edges. you boil the noodles. the package had a recipe where you make a broth using slow cooked tomatoes, scallions and ginger and then you stir fry the chicken with soy sauce and some vinegar and then you combined all. my sis also added some pea leaf tips, squash and jalapeno peppers. the noodles were amazing - good firm texture, while a bit slippery the noodles absorbed the broth/sauce well. we love trying new things at 99 ranch store!

[monkee98]

What It Takes Ch. 3

Ao3 link

This is a short chapter, and it also feels like filler but I felt like we needed a little more Mo Guan Shan and Zhan Zheng Xi so....

The restaurant’s crowd was finally picking up around lunch time and the small room began to fill up. The waiters were flitting back and forth between tables and the counter, and the cook was skillfully preparing multiple meals at the same time behind the counter, much to the patrons’ amazement.

They had considered hiring another cook, but thought the shop was so small that it couldn’t possibly be that much work. But the small restaurant had grown in popularity over the short year that it has been open, but the cook was determined to continue preparing the dishes on his own.

“Guan Shan! Can we get two orange chicken and a beef stew, mild!”

“Coming up!”

Beef stew actually can take quite a while to prepare, but he always makes sure to have enough of the beef stew base and meat ready by the beginning of the day so he can finish preparing it right before he serves it.

Very few people request his beef stew extra spicy, but the guy that came in that morning ate it with no problems, and even took some home. Most people react like the guy that was sitting with him.

He finished up the orders and placed them on the counter to be picked up by the waiters.

“Zheng Xi, two orange and a stew!”

The waiter came up and dispersed the meals to the patrons, he by far worked the most shifts here out of any of the other waiters, though that is mostly because he is friends with the cook who runs the restaurant.

They quickly became lost in their work and only when the crowd slowed down again did they sit down for a quick break while the restaurant empties itself of customers. The other waiters left after their shift and once again the only ones that were in the shop were Mo Guan Shan and Zhan Zheng Xi.

They had met by chance in college, although Mo Guan Shan ended up not completing his degree and dropped out and used his savings to open this restaurant. Zhan Zheng Xi offered to help him out and has worked here during his free time while he continued his own studies.

Guan Shan set out a bowl of noodles and a sandwich for the two to eat for lunch. It surprised Zheng Xi that his friend chose to eat seemingly simple sandwiches most of the time rather than any of his other, in his opinion, better dishes. Though he made his sandwiches out of leftover meat and vegetables from the other dishes he prepared, it seemed so lackluster.

But Zhan Zheng Xi had learned that his friend just enjoyed sandwiches, though he could make some of the tastiest dishes he has ever eaten, he would rather just slap some meat in between two slices of bread for himself and call it a day.

Zheng Xi pulled the bowl closer and marveled at how delicious and fresh the meal looked, “Hey, do you remember those two guys that came in this morning?” Zheng Xi inquired while pulling apart his disposable bamboo chopsticks, noting how his stomach was growling at the sight of the food.

“The ones in the suits?” Mo Guan Shan took a seat adjacent to dark blond at the counter, picking up his sandwich.

“Yeah them. The black haired guy seemed like he was into you”

“What the fuck!”, he dropped his sandwich back into his plate in favor of gaping at his friend who was casually chewing his food, “Oh yeah, that blond was so busy staring at you that he didn’t even give his order right!” he countered.

“Really? I thought he was just stupid” he mused, a slight blush now showing itself. He had never seen either one of them before,  he could recognize the familiar faces of the people that frequented the restaurant, especially in the morning when very few people came by.

He was amused at the reaction that the blond had when he tried the stew, he clearly could not handle it, but was surprised when the black haired man was able to palate the spicy meal so easily. He had to admit though, the blond was actually really good looking, his light hair that looked feather soft and his smooth pale skin, not to mention the black suit made his pale features stand out even more.

“Well, there is that” Guan Shan admitted with amusement.

“They were talking about you too” he added a small smile playing on his lips as he recalled their faces when he acknowledged that he could hear their every word, not that they appeared to be trying to hide it.

The redhead blushed, he had refused to to look at the disruptive customers when he realized they were talking about him. The black haired man seemed like he was some kind of vain playboy, honestly he did not think he would want anything to do with him. The both of them appeared to be very wealthy and were likely popular with the girls, needless to say they looked really out of place in his tiny little restaurant in their, probably designer, fitted suits.

“Shut up and finish eating before we start getting customers again” he said instead of commenting further on their earlier encounter with the mysterious suited men.

[hangzhoutourismcommissionposts]

Despite its southern location, Hangzhou is notorious for its frosty winters, and now that the city has officially entered into this chilly season there is only one way to ward off the cold in winter and that’s to sample one of Hangzhou’s famous hot pots. To add some spice to your winter days, then visit any one of the following locations.

 La Fu

If you love spicy food then La Fu is for you. There are two La Fu Restaurants in Hangzhou, one is in Queen Park and the other is in Hefang Street. The fresh spicy fish slices, shrimp paste, beef tripe and duck intestines, as well as the intriguing chopsticks, are what makes La Fu special, and whilst the strong aromas and sizzling flavors will have you in tears you will soon be crying to come back for more.

Address: 3rd Floor, 2 Queen Park, 277 Wulin Road; 29 Gaoyin Street

 Sichuan Xiang Tian Xia

This restaurant offers the famous Sichuan hot pot. It is highly recommended that you try their two-flavor soup base (Mandarin Duck Pot) which is tasty even without any seasoning. Whilst its name suggests otherwise the Mandarin Duck Pot does not, in fact, contain any duck at all but is called as such as to describe the pot being divided into two parts; usually one part for a spicy soup base and the other part for a non-spicy soup base. The Prime Minister Ball, Crispy Flesh and Duck Intestines are exceptionally tasty.

Address: 27-6 Ding’an Road, near Century Mart, the northeast side of Xihu Intime Department Store

 Chao Niu Hai Ji

This hot pot restaurant, always crowded, is a popular choice for both locals and visitors. It is highly recommended that you try their handmade meatballs which are the size of a table tennis ball but don’t fret as the only direction they will be bouncing in, is direct to you. The rice noodles with Satay sauce are also a must-try with the Chaoshan hot pot.

Address: 6 Baifu Road

 Xia Lao Sheng Tang

This is an expensive restaurant with an average spend of 534 RMB per person but the food here well deserves the price as it is ranked the No.1 hot pot place in Hangzhou on Dazhong Dianping, a Chinese gourmet grading website. The Norwegian abalone is rather good.

Address: 58 Changsheng Road

 Yi Xi Di Ji Wo

Yi Xi Di Ji Wo is a chain restaurants brand with many of its branches in Hangzhou. It boasts local flavor chicken soup hot pots with home-raised chicken, black bone chicken, and durian chicken.

Address: 1st Floor Guomao Mansion, 56-3 Hubin Road

 Mi Shi Chao Shan Beef Hot Pot

This is another Chaoshan hot pot. Simply place the beef tenderloin into the boiling water for 12 seconds and then dip it into the Satay Sauce and the wonderful taste will fulfill your heart with everlasting happiness.

Address: 166 Huansha Road

 King Pot Restaurant - Beijing Hot Pot

The authentic Beijing hot pot restaurant is boiled in a copper pot over a charcoal fire. This is a popular restaurant so be prepared to queue if you turn up late. Mutton hot pot is a favorite and mutton brain, beef brain, beef tripe, double paste and not forgetting the osmanthus syrup of plum, are the best hot pot accompaniments.

Address: inside Hang Si Lian 166, 189 South Jinhua Road

 Hai Di Lao

Hai Di Lao’s good service and quality of food earn it great fame nationwide.

Address: 5th Floor, Jinhe Building 87-1 Qingchun Road