Wow, I‘ve heard about this but almost didn’t believe it was true… a restaurant whose menu is based solely on the principles of Chinese Medicine. I bet this is a treat for the local students and doctors at Chengdu University.
We took a cab to downtown Chengdu where the restaurant was located. The city blew me away… looks exactly like downtown Hollywood with colorful flashing lights on all of the buildings. The cab ride to/from the restaurant was a little scary. Not only was our driver smoking and talking on the phone, but the cab itself was as the size of a matchbox car. Since every road here is like the Autobahn, it is imperative to strap yourself in before saying the rosary. Thankfully, we make it to and from the restaurant will minimal banging and bruising.
Upon arrival, a few of us ordered some medicinal herbal wine. There were quite a few to choose from so the decision was hard… hmmm snake wine or geiko? Devon and Richard were daring enough to go with the snake. I chose a wine made with Mei Gui Hua (rose petals). This herb, in Chinese Medicine, is commonly used to free course Liver Qi, a common pathology categorized by hypochondriac pain, vertex headache, poor appetite, nausea/vomiting, irritability, depression, PMS, etc… Herbal wines are typically made from high-proof alcohol and herbs and are stored in glass containers for years so that the properties of the herbs can be extracted. Despite the fact that the wine I chose was made with roses, it was one of the nastiest things I have ever tasted! It burned my throat the whole way down. The only way to finish it was to take huge gulps while holding my nose. Congrats to me for finishing my entire glass!!
Black chicken soup was our main course. In TCM, black chicken tonifies qi and blood, nourishes yin, and clears deficiency heat. The meal was prepared right in the center of our table, Chinese hot-pot style. First, the server added the chicken broth and the black chicken… ok, not a fan of chicken but I was willing to have a taste to tonify my qi and blood. Next, came the fried pork and what I think may have been spam, or ham, or some other kind of pork product. Then the server added seaweed, some strange green vegetables we don’t have in the US, and some lotus root. By the expression on my face below, I am sure you can tell my thoughts on this dining experience…
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Peking Duck... yummy!! This is the real deal… served with savory plum sauce and Mardarin pancakes. Tantan definitely knows how to make us happy. This restaurant was amazing! We had so much food it could have been Thanksgiving. |
About ChristineI just completed a 4.5 year Chinese medical program at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, CA. I am very excited to have this opportunity to study Chinese Medicine where it originated. I will be traveling to Chengdu, Beijing, and Shanghai. |