Going bananas in 2016!

It’s been over a month since I last updated my blog. I feel like I have neglected a good friend, so it’s time to get reacquainted. As my first entry of 2016, I could easily have posted some New Year resolutions or a to-do list. But I don’t really feel that beginning a year with hard-to-keep promises is a good idea. Instead, I prefer to consider ways in which I can live a happier and healthier life and become an improved version of myself, without having to reach a set number of goals before the end of a year.

So with that in mind, I plan to continue with changes that I began making in 2015. For example: joining the gym, travelling, learning a language and making better decisions about what I eat. I have already noticed these choices making a positive impact on my life.

In 2015, I was lucky to visit Chong Qing, Tianjin, Xi’An, the UK, Cambodia, Fujian and Hong Kong. I also made a conscious effort to visit more places around Beijing. I hope that I can continue exploring my surroundings both near and far.

Last year, I persisted with studying Chinese. Due to the nature of my job, I do not need to speak Chinese, so it would be easy for me to “get by” on the Chinese skills that I currently have. However, I want to improve so that when the time comes for me to move on from China, I can leave with an official certification in the Chinese language, such as HSK. Gaining a language skill as well as cultural experiences is certainly a reason for me staying in China for over three years.

2015 was also the year that I joined a gym. Living in a terribly smoggy city is clearly not good for my health. Therefore, looking after my body became a priority. Furthermore, I wanted to cook more meals at home. When you are hungry, going to a restaurant or getting food delivered is an effortless and often cheap option. Despite being convenient, it is not always a healthy choice. Of course, I will continue to enjoy the food here, but I wanted to find a balance between enjoying restaurant meals and creating dishes in which I know exactly which ingredients have been used.

I still have things from last year that I want to write about on this blog, but for my first post of 2016, I decided to share a recipe that I found online and adapted to my own personal preference. It is simple, healthier than the biscuits I usually binge on and the ingredients can easily be found in supermarkets here. In addition to sharing the recipe in English, I wanted to use this opportunity to expand my knowledge of both Chinese and Vietnamese, so I will be explaining the method in three languages (apologies if there are mistakes with any of the languages used!) 

Banana oat biscuits  3 mashed bananas 1 cup of oats 1 handful of raisins Peanut butter or chocolate spread 1. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl until well combined. 2. Take the mixture and form biscuit shapes. 3. Place the biscuits on a lightly greased baking tray. 4. Put half a teaspoon of peanut butter or chocolate spread on each biscuit. 5. Preheat the oven to 175℃. 6. Bake for 15 minutes.

香蕉燕麦饼干  三个碾碎的香蕉 一杯燕麦片 一把葡萄干 花生酱或者巧克力酱 1.把将原料放在盆里调匀。 2.把混合物滚成饼干的形状。 3.把混合物放在已涂油的焗盘上。 4.把半茶匙花生酱或者巧克力酱放在每一个饼干上。 5.预热焗炉至175℃。 6.烤15分钟。

Bánh quy yến mạch chuối 3 chuối nghiền 1 cốc bột yến mạch 1 nắm nho khô Bơ đậu phộng hoặc mứt sôcôla kem hạt dẻ   1. Hãy trộn tất cả các thành phần vào một cái bát. 2. Sử dụng hỗn hợp để làm những bánh quy. 3. Đặt bánh quy vào một cái khay đã bôi ít dầu. 4. Thêm nửa muỗng cà phê bơ đậu phộng hoặc mứt sôcôla kem hạt dẻ, trên mặt cái bánh quy. 5. Đốt nóng lò đến nhiệt độ 175 độ C. 6. Nướng khoảng 15 phút.

Vietnamese Coffee

It has been almost ten years since my first visit to Vietnam. I love many things about the country, but lately I have been having frequent cravings for Vietnamese coffee.

Whether it's cà phê sữa đá (iced coffee) or cà phê sữa nóng (hot coffee),  the strong yet sweet taste is always a delicious treat. Furthermore, the process of brewing a Vietnamese coffee is incredibly relaxing and can really help me to unwind. Whenever I see a Vietnamese drip filter, it evokes memories of serene afternoons spent in Hanoi's Old Quarter.

Today, the coffee exporting industry is hugely successful in Vietnam. Coffee was first introduced to Vietnam in the mid 1800s by a French priest. At the time, dairy farming within the country was still developing, so sweetened condensed milk was used as a replacement for fresh milk.

How to make Vietnamese coffee

You will need a drip filter, a glass, a spoon, condensed milk (it tastes just like milky bar white chocolate, but in liquid form!) and a coarse roasted coffee grind (I chose Trung Nguyên for the authentic Vietnamese flavour). There is no need for filter papers so you can feel good about helping the environment every time you brew a cup of coffee.

The coffee filter, or phin, is made up of the following components: The filter, a damper and a lid. 

1. Firstly, pour a little condensed milk, (around 2 tablespoons ) in the bottom of your glass. If you like sweet coffee, add a cheeky bit more.

2. Remove the lid and damper, then add two teaspoons of coffee granules into the filter. I used Trung Nguyen coffee.

3. Next, gently shake the filter to level out the coffee. Press the damper down on the coffee (some dampers require screwing.) 

4. Place the filter on the glass. Once the kettle has boiled, pour a little hot water over the damper and let it soak into the coffee grains, allowing them to expand.

5. After about 30 seconds, fill the filter with water and place the lid on top.

6. Allow the water to drain through the filter. It will take around five minutes to be ready. Take the filter from the glass and place it on top of the upturned lid (to avoid any extra coffee dripping onto clean surfaces).

7. Use a spoon to mix the coffee and milk together.

8. Finally, drink your coffee! If you want iced coffee, pour it into a glass filled with crushed ice.


The pleasure and enjoyment of Vietnamese coffee has inspired me to create a short poem about the wonders of this precious treasure:

How Wechat Changed My Life

Wechat is a hugely popular messaging application in China. Not long after moving to Beijing in 2012, I discovered that many people use this app to communicate. According to its developer, Tencent, as of August 2015, there are over 600 million active users. Wechat, or Weixin (微信-micro message) provides features associated with similar messaging and social media platforms. You can send multimedia messages to other users and also post text, photographs and links on your “moments” for your contacts to view and comment on.

For the longest time, I used Wechat for the sole purpose of sending messages and sharing information with my friends. After some time, I heard whispers and rumours that there were more exciting Wechat features. But just like my feelings in relation to leprechauns and politicians, I wasn’t yet ready to discover more about these unknown entities. How was I to know that there was so much untapped potential in my mobile app, just waiting to be utilised…

…Things had to change. A couple of months ago I decided to bravely take the plunge and get a Chinese bank account. Previously, I only had a card with a Chinese branch of an international bank, which restricted me in terms of paying for things online. However, with a genuine Chinese bankcard, the world (or in this case, China) is my oyster.

Once I had become the proud owner of my very own Chinese bankcard, I swiftly linked it with my Wechat account. Yes – I could now explore those unchartered territories that I’d feared for far too long. I could embrace the majestic wonder of WECHAT WALLET. With this option at my disposal, I felt like after three years of living in the Middle Kingdom, I would finally be a truly accepted and functional member of society. All the cool kids were using Wechat Wallet. Now, all the cool kids and a Welsh foreigner could. It was as if I had been welcomed into a club of elite social media users. I believed I now qualified as a “real person” by my perhaps misguided perception of Chinese standards.

Wechat Wallet allows users to send money to other contacts. This is perfect if you owe a friend some money or need to share the bill for a meal and don’t have enough cash. Some shops and supermarkets now allow you to pay for goods using Wechat, with just a quick scan of a QR Code.

The biggest convenience that I have discovered is online shopping. Can’t find what you want at the local supermarket or mall? Not wanting to venture outside during a smoggy day? Then you can order almost anything online and have it delivered straight to your door or workplace. This can all be paid for using Wechat Wallet.

My most recent purchases include a laser egg that measures air pollution, a hotpot cooker for the cold winter months and a Chinese set of ‘The Walking Dead’ comics (行尸走肉) in the hope that they will inspire me to keep studying Chinese characters. These treats have certainly cheered me up when the pm2.5 pollution levels have reached over 600 outside.

Buying things from the comfort of my home while avoiding crowds and toxic smog is still a novelty for me. Has Wechat changed my life? Well perhaps the title of this post is a tad dramatic. But it has made buying things a lot easier. Now I’ll just have to work on my self-restraint. I wonder if I can buy a guidebook on how to do that…

Please note that Wechat is not sponsoring me for this blog post (although if you are reading this Tencent, I am happy to receive some kind of payment or praise).

Tianjin

What do I know about Tianjin? Until recently, my knowledge of the city was quite limited. I was aware that it is a short train journey from Beijing and that it’s located near to the coast. Tianjin is now synonymous with the tragic explosions in August 2015, which killed and wounded hundreds of people. Typing ‘Tianjin’ into a search engine shows that currently, three of the top ten Tianjin-related searches are about the catastrophic blast.

I had a fleeting visit to Tianjin in 2013, when my flight from Inner Mongolia to Beijing was diverted due to bad weather. I was taken to a pretty swanky hotel for a few hours sleep but did not have enough time to see the city before I caught the connecting flight to the capital.

On 3rd September, there was a national holiday to mark the 70th anniversary of victory over Japan. Jensen and I decided to take this opportunity to visit Beijing’s neighbouring metropolis. I was surprised by how quickly the high-speed took us to our destination. In fact, it took us longer to get to the Beijing railway station than it did for us to get from Beijing to Tianjin. In just thirty minutes we were in a different city.

The national holiday resulted in pristine clear skies and fresh air. It ensured that we could enjoy the interesting scenery of our new surroundings. I was impressed by the European-style buildings. The colonial architecture is a popular tourist attraction in Tianjin.

While roaming the city, Jensen and I were able to sample some delicious food, including the famous Tianjin jianbing. These savoury crepes are different to the ones I have eaten in Beijing, as they include extra fillings such as youtiao (a deep fried dough stick). We tried a jianbing from a street vendor and later visited a famous jianbing seller who attracts queues of hungry customers. Jensen and I both agreed that the jianbing from the street vendor was actually more delicious. We also ate lamb noodle soup and 烧饼夹牛肉, a flaky pastry filled with beef and egg. 

In the evening, we walked around the streets and stopped to take some photographs near the river and Tianjin Eye. Being so close to the sea, Jensen was keen to try some fresh seafood so we stopped off at a restaurant and gorged on prawns, clams, fish and vegetables.

Tianjin was a nice break from Beijing. I didn’t realise that two months later I would be seeing a completely different, luxurious side to the city...

Jensen’s friend, Lisa, was organising a José Carreras music concert and invited us to stay at the Tianjin Shangri-La and attend the show on the 15th November. The weekend itself was a huge contrast to our previous trip to Tianjin – this time the air pollution levels were extremely high.

But the smog was not too much of a concern - we were far too busy enjoying the hospitality in the Club Lounge, which allowed us to snack continuously throughout our stay and remain hydrated with a plethora of beverages. We only ventured out to visit a nearby Hai Di Lao hot pot restaurant in the evening.

Before the concert, Jensen and I were able to meet José and had our photographs taken with him. During the performance, I was surprised by how powerful his singing voice is. It was a fantastic way to spend a smoggy weekend and I appreciate Lisa’s kindness and generosity.

What do I know about Tianjin now? It is a city that is trying its best to move on from a dreadful catastrophe. It has enough attractions and interesting locations that make it a perfect weekend getaway and I am sure there is plenty more to enjoy on future trips.

Mike's Chomping Cheesy Chinese Chow Challenge #9 – Sweet Potato

Disclaimer: That is a sweet potato and not a Christmas poo...

The temperatures are plummeting and the Beijing skyline is full of feathery white snowflakes. The city may be transforming into a winter wonderland, but of course that will not stop me from continuing my cheesy Chinese chow challenge.

At this time of year, you would be foolish not to seize the opportunity of scoffing a baked sweet potato. There are a number street vendors selling these winter warmers all around Beijing. If you see someone standing next to a metal drum, then it’s likely they are baking a batch of sweet potatoes! Once you choose the potato you desire, the seller will weigh it and tell you the cost - but don't worry, you can buy a spud the size of your face and it will still be a pretty cheap snack.

Many happy customers can be seen gnawing on a freshly baked potato straight out of the serving bag. I decided to give my sweet potato a cheesy challenge upgrade. After I selected the most scrumptious-looking spud, I took it back to my apartment. I then sliced it open and added baked beans with grated cheese on top.

I was instantly transported back home to the UK, with memories of jacket potatoes, bonfire nights and cosy autumnal evenings flooding back in a delightful nostalgic daydream.

The baked beans and melting cheese were the perfect companions to the fluffy, warm potato. This is a seasonal treat that cannot be limited to just once a year. I feel confident that a cheesy baked bean sweet potato will be a regular item on my winter menu.

Seven Signs Of Beijing Winter

I am going to channel Game Of Thrones and send out a warning about the impending cold season known as winter. Well, truthfully Beijing's annual two-week Autumn (Shortumn) is pretty much over already. But the deepest, darkest, depressing depths of winter have yet to reach the capital...

Ned Stark would be the first to tell you that the coming of winter can be a pain in the neck, so it is important that one prepares for the dry, cold, grey months ahead. I may not be the most observant person, but aside from the drop in temperature, I have noticed some other signs that show us when the cruel mistress we call Winter is well and truly on her way:

1. Candied fruit

As the temperature cools, it is only a matter of time before swarms of street vendors start selling 糖葫芦(Tang hu lu). The candied fruit on a stick is traditionally Chinese hawthorn coated in sugar, but a lot of the stalls now sell cherry tomatoes, strawberries and pineapple, which I feel could help people meet the recommended five-a-day fruit and vegetable intake for a healthy lifestyle.

2. Getting flap-slapped

Another sure sign that winter is arriving is when you notice establishments hanging large, thick, cumbersome curtains over the entrance to buildings. The main aim of these chunky drapes is to keep out the cold, however from personal experience, I have noted the following issues with the curtains:

a) Fumbling your way through the curtain can often end in an awkward collision or an accidental grope with a person on the other side of the curtain.

b) If a person ahead of you releases the curtain as you are walking through the doorway, you can end up taking some seriously heavy fabric to the face. A beefy curtain slap is the last thing you want on a cold day. But it wouldn't be a true Beijing winter without getting flap-slapped.

3. Static shocks

When winter comes along, I get an incredible amount of static electric shocks. It may be the work of an electric demon stalking me and taunting me with its painful shocks. But more likely, it's the synthetic material of my winter coat building up a powerful electric charge as I shuffle around the city. I have to pay particular attention around escalators and taxi doors. It's not a pleasant sensation but there's nothing quite like an electric shock to blast away the winter chills.

4. Street sweet potatoes

It's a bittersweet moment when the street vendors start selling sweet potatoes around the city. Yes, you have easy access to a cheap and deliciously warming snack, but it is also a harsh reminder that the heat of summer is rapidly diminishing. Wipe away those frozen tears and grab a tasty baked potato. It certainly makes the colder weather more bearable.

5. Cold weather bike accessories

When you spot a person riding a bike while wearing what appears to be oven gloves, stop whatever you're doing and put on some thermals! During the cold months, people on motorbikes and scooters cover themselves in a thick blanket and attach large oven-mitts to the handlebars in order to shield themselves from the biting cold wind.

6. Barmy for lip balm

There is no time to feel bored during the cold days of winter. You will be kept busy by the incessant need to apply lip balm and other moisturisers, in a vain attempt to prevent oneself from drying up into a flaky husk. The lip balm activities are mainly focused around:

a) Wincing in pain when you crack a smile and your chapped lips burst open.

b) Militantly applying lip balm every five minutes and getting the occasional comment from a friend that perhaps you have applied it too aggressively and it now covers your entire lower face.

c) Constantly checking where your lip balm is, resulting in anxiety attacks if it cannot be located. This can also create a panic-driven, bulk buying situation whenever you are in a shop that sells lip balm - you will always need those 'back-up balms'!

7. Counting down to Central Heating Day

Autumn is officially over when you start to notice that it is colder in your apartment than it is outside. November the 15th is the official date for when Beijing officially turns on the government-subsidised central heating system. If you cannot wait until Central Heating Day (供暖日) then you have to huddle around an electric heater and clutch a hot water bottle, while staring longingly at the calendar. Once the central heating system is switched on, it stays on until March the 15th!

Take care this winter wherever you are!

Mike's Chomping Cheesy Chinese Chow Challenge #8 – Harbin Kao Leng Mian

Recently, my work load has intensified. However, this has not kept me off the bustling streets of Beijing. If anything, being so busy has just increased my hunger and subsequently deepened my dedication to finding delicious Chinese street food and adorn it with tasty cheese.

Sometimes, the street sellers have to take zoom off on their little frying-snack-stalls-on-wheels (henceforth known as fry-mobiles) when there are police in the neighbourhood. But when the police are preoccupied with doing policey-type-things in other parts of the city, there's generally quite a gaggle of fry-mobiles that cluster around the subway station. This provides me with ample opportunities to select a new snack and combine it with dairy products in a controversial yet fulfilling experiment.

One of the many snack stalls on wheels

With the temperature getting cooler, I decided that this time I would opt for 哈尔滨烤冷面 (Harbin Kao Leng Mian)。This is a wide, flat noodle that looks very similar to a lasagne pasta sheet. It is then coated in cooking oil and fried with onions, coriander and slathered in a paste of your choice. It can be made with a spicy, savoury or even a sweet flavour. Once it has been fried, it will then get folded over and sliced into bite-size chunks. 

Once I'd bought my warm cup of kao leng mian, I took it back to the safety of my apartment where I added a fine cheddar. As I have found with other Chinese street snacks, grated cheese works so well with food that's been coated with chili. It cooled down the heat of the chili and the melted cheddar tasted great with the fried noodle (unlike when I've dabbled with parmesan cheese in the past). 

I decided that I would also add a healthy dollop of red onion chutney to the cheesy fried noodle concoction. Some people may say that this would make the meal far too oniony (especially people within close proximity to me after I finished eating it). However, I think that the onion chutney gave the fresh onions a wonderfully tangy boost and it wasn't too overpowering. 

I am already plotting my next Chinese Chow Challenge...stay tuned!