Welcome to Xing Jiang

     We had the chance to join our friend here in Beijing for his birthday party.  He has lived here for quite a while, so knows his way around Beijing.  We ended up eating at a Xing Jiang style restaurant.  I had no idea what Xing Jiang food was, all I knew was that it was a predominantly Muslim food out of one of China's provinces.  It was AWESOME.  The meal was traditional style setting* and everything on the table was perfect.  The best dish was a leg of lamb that was slow cooked and seasoned with a pepper rub.  Afterwards, we went to drinks at a small bar down a nearby hutong.**  All of this got me thinking though.  It was pretty unfair of me to judge the Chinese hotel in my first post for not knowing what Mexican food tasted like when I don't know what Xing Jiang food tastes like or what Xing Jiang people look like.  Or for that matter, could I identify the difference in North and South Korean food (except for the fact that you can judge for yourself that South Korean food tastes better, but propaganda will tell you what to think about North Korean food...BAM North Korea jab).  So that being said, I officially apologize for my lack of perspective in the "Welcome to Mexico post".  But, I take it as my personal duty to make sure all Chinese come to love and know tacos the way I do.

*  Family style in China is where everyone sits around a circular table for dinner.  There is almost always a gigantic lazy susan in the middle that the food rotates around on.  The dish set in front of you, is very small, and is not made to hold your food, but more your disregards (bones and such).  The idea is that you pick at the different entrées as they come around to you.  At first, it took me a little getting used to this, because everyone is sticking their used chopsticks in the same food.  But now, I am well accustomed to the practice, and have come to enjoy it.  Usually one or two people order for the whole table, so you never really know what you are going to get.  This is how I have got to try most of my most unique foods (snails, octopus, squid (not fried, a whole squid), duck's tongue, chicken's feet...).  

**  A hutong is a small back alley in Beijing.  They are almost always found in the older parts (more inner) of the city, near the forbidden city.  These are rich with Chinese culture.  Usually they are arranged in a laborith type manner.  Finding a small bar in the middle worth going to is a great find.  This is also where you can find some of the best street vendors, or some real traditional Chinese noodles or Kung Pao Chicken (Gung Bao Ji Ding).     

     -JASON