Hotel's Yunnan fare a surprise hit
Updated: 2015-03-01 08:51
(China Daily)
|
||||||||
Stir-fried pork with leeks. Photo provided to China Daily |
Foodies looking for a good sampling of Yunnan fare in Kunming might not head straight to the Holiday Inn. But after two eateries with guidebook raves turned out to be closed for an extended Spring Festival holiday-and the "grand dame" hotel of the city turned out to be a decaying old lady-we found unexpected delights at the American chain hotel.
Our festive spread started with a slightly spicy stir-fried pork with leeks (48 yuan). That perfectly fine but not too sexy dish was quickly followed by a knockout: stir-fried Shangri-La dried yak steak with "special spices". The studs in that mix are peppercorns from nearby Sichuan, which give the dish an aura of numbing heat without making us blind. Mixed in are sprigs of fried mint, with a melt-in-your-mouth crispiness and a surreally translucent greenness rarely seen apart from stained-glass windows. There are echoes of garlic and spring onion, too, all combining to give the earthy yak a curious elegance, enhanced by colorful presentation in a bamboo basket.
Next came a big slab of braised tofu, made in-house and silky smooth, smothered in spicy sauce enhanced with a mix of the mushrooms that beg to be part of any Yunnan meal. Not as incendiary as mapu tofu can be, though the kitchen will crank up the heat if that's your preference.
- Japan has to reflect on history: former PM
- Prince William played with kids on Japan tsunami trip
- Homeland Security funding drama darkens US fiscal outlook
- African wildlife agency lauds China's ban on ivory imports
- China ends UN council presidency, eyeing 70th birthday
- Russian opposition leader Nemtsov shot dead in Moscow
- Monkey king, angel and superwoman at Beijing's 'naked run' race
- Red-crowned cranes in Yancheng
- Prince William evokes Diana memories on Japan tsunami trip
- Best times to view spring flowers in Beijing
- Dragon boat race to celebrate Chinese New Year in Sydney
- South Pole setting for wedding photos, penguins included
- Milan Fashion Week - Autumn/Winter 2015-16
- Russian opposition leader Nemtsov shot dead in Moscow
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Spring Festival trends reflect a changing China |
Patent applications lead the world |
BC lures Chinese tourists |
Festival Special: Apps that make holiday shopping easier |
Alibaba places China smartphone business bet with $590m Meizu deal |
China, US vow to deepen military relations |
Today's Top News
Homeland Security funding drama darkens US fiscal outlook
17th Apple retail store in Chinese mainland opens in Shenyang
PBOC cuts rates to ease business financing
Former celebrity TV anchor on crusade against pollution
China ends UN council presidency
Ling Jihua removed from CPPCC leadership list
Tech firms cut from approval list
Yuan on move, but not to top
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |