A Tasty Chinese New Year
Tastybeat's good friend, Betsy Nathan owner of Pagoda Red in Chicago and Winnetka, has shared her favorite Chinese gems to help us celebrate The Year of the Rat! Betsy lived in China for several years and has traveled there extensively ever since. She loves exploring her home city of Chicago to find authentic, delicious tastes of China.
First, Betsy recommends Lao Sze Chuan, a wonderful restaurant at Archer and Cermak in China Town. Betsy suggests trying the Xin Jiang Lamb specialty, a marinated and stir-fried lamb dish flavored with Xin Jiang cumin, ginger, garlic, onion, scallions, red pepper, fresh jalapeño, chili sauce, soy sauce, and Chinese cooking wine. This is a traditional dish of the Uigher people from the far northwest province of Xin Jiang. Because of its central location between the Middle East and China, Xin Jiang produces food and culture that melds aspects of both. We think you will agree that Lao Sze Chuan is a welcome alternative to your typical Americanized Chinese fare.
Next, Betsy shares a Chinese tip for good fortune. Start your new year with a meal of long, UNCUT noodles. This tradition promises you a long and prosperous life. Wish to partake? Start by visiting one of several grocers (see list) who carry two to four-foot long noodles. As you prepare your noodles, the Chinese kitchen god Chang Kung will watch over and protect you. And according to custom, serve your long noodles in individual bowls to each person around the table. Next, eat and believe!
To round out your Chinese New Year, Tastybeat insists you make your way to Betsy Nathan's, Pagoda Red. Visiting this gem that specializes in fine 18th and 19th Century Chinese artifacts is a special treat. Among the many rare and unusual antiques, here you will find Ba Bao Cha, an exquisite Eight Treasures tea. This tea is colorful, fruity, and a bit sweet, leaving you with the gentle sweetness of chrysanthemum. Brew in a clear pot so you can watch the Eight Treasures (chrysanthemum, honeysuckle, Chinese wolfberries, red dates, jasmine leaves, sesame, rock sugar, and tangerine and lemon peel) come alive as they flavor the water. You can take home Ba Bao Cha packaged with two blue and white 19th century teacups. What a beautiful way to celebrate.
Happy Chinese New Year,
Tastybeat
Lao Sze Chuan
2172 South Archer Avenue
Chicago, IL 60616
Phone: 312.326.5040
Hours: Open 7 days a week
Lunch 11:30am -3:00pm
Dinner 3:00pm -12:00am
Pagoda Red
1714 North Damen
Chicago, IL
Phone: 773.235.1188
902 Green Bay Road
Winnetka, IL
Phone: 847.784.8881
Hours:
Monday--Saturday 10am-6pm
Sunday by appointment only
Where to find long, uncut noodles:
City Olive - 5408 North Clark Street - (773) 878-5406
Ask for Mafalde Lunghe
Sunset foods:
Highland Park - 1812 Green Bay Road - (847) 432-5500
Northbrook - 1127 Church Street - (847) 272-7700
Lake Forest - 825 S. Waukegan Road - (847) 234-8380
Libertyville - 1451 West Peterson - (847) 573-9570
Ask for the Maestri Pastai brand of long pasta
Or, for really, really long pasta consider:
De Cecco Spaghetti, imported from Italy
Each noodle is nearly 4 feet long
Can be ordered at Amazon.com
