I'd been wanting to try these food tours from UnTour Shanghai. If you want to repeat the tour, I'd highly recommend signing up with them, but if not here's how to repeat the tour yourself.
1. Find yourself some amazing best friends to go with you.
2. Head to Xiangyang Park to see the morning exercises of the locals. It's a real treat of Shanghai and helps to build up an appetite.
a little tai chi
a little "tree backing"... what is "tree backing" you ask? well all of the tree exercises are intended to restore/release the inner qi.
Tree Backing: this exercise stimulates the "dumai," energy that runs along the spine, and rules the "yang system" of the body. It's supposed relieve hidden aches and pains. How To: stand with your back to the tree, then shove your body/back against the tree trunk and bounce back. Repeat. Enjoy the release of your pains!
Tree Slapping: this exercise is supposed wakes up your arms. How To: slap a tree while twisting from side to side. Smooth your flow of qi.
More on Tree Exercises
a little water calligraphy
After the park continue you up Xiangyang for the start of the feasting!
we didn't try these but supposedly McD's type hashbrowns. I'll be back! :)
Some bready deliciousness
Dumplings!
Jianbing - Chinese Crepes. These pancakes have a great history... it's said that during the war over 2,000 years ago, there wasn't enough food to feed the army. The Emperor dreamt of a way to use just flour & water, cooked on the shields of the army over the fire to feed the troops. They didn't starve & won the war!
You can pick & choose your toppings, but we went for: scallions, chili sauce, fried wontons (ooh, crunchy!). chili sauce, soybean paste, some mustard thing and 1 fried egg.
true locals eat crepes out of plastic bags
churros! another must try.
Henan hand pulled noodles + tofu skins & green pepper. Again, delish!
Wet Market visit. Basically, it's a market for fresh foods: veggies, fruits, meats, fish, etc. Also, they've added some frozen goods and prepared goods.
Xiaolongbao, Steamed Soup Dumplings. the delicacy of Shanghai!
The grand finale: Egg Tart. Sounds so simple, but WOW delicious!!!
(and random as it's down in the subway system...)
After all this eating... we needed an activity to counter-act the deliciousness...
Malt Whiskey tasting! Particularly an "18 year Single Malt Scotch Whiskey" tasting. For Matt. Lesley was sweet enough to bring Matt a bottle of "Kirkland 18 year" as she's familiar with the Zeller family love of "Kirkland Vodka". Of course we had to put Matt to the test as he claims his whiskey "taste is evolving" although I still see him frequently some Jameson. ;)
here's the taste-test at work. guess how many Matt got right. To be revealed next post! (also, this is how I should trick him to get pics taken. :) )
Next time tell Matt he needs to wear his custom suit and shirt as its a formal Whiskey Tasting
ReplyDeletehaha, it really should be formal attire. his tastes are "maturing" after all ;)
DeleteThe food looks great but I'm still stuck on the idea of "tree slapping".
ReplyDeletefeel free to test it out yourself! these gentlemen seemed pretty pleased with themselves. hehe ;)
DeleteHello the cheese hunter in Shanghai...
ReplyDeleteYou find the Chou doufu, you look like it! and did you try one time our selection of imported cheese ?
I hope Yes... if not contact us, and we can let you visit our eshop ;)
Have fun in Shanghai
have to say, stinky tofu isn't my favorite... an acquired taste maybe?
DeleteI'll definitely check out epermarket. I see your cheese is front & center! :)