Tag Archives: Chinese

5 Odd Chinese Superstitions Which May Just Bring You Luck

Chinese superstitions can be prevalent within Asian gambling culture. For example, baccarat players in Macau believe that even the manner in which cards are squeezed or creased can determine the outcome of a game. Practice these 5 Chinese gaming rituals and who knows? You too may hit a winning streak!

Mind Your Numbers

In Chinese culture, certain numbers are considered to be lucky depending on their similarity to words that sound prosperous.

The number 8 is therefore a very lucky number, as it sounds much like the Cantonese word for “prosper” or “wealth.”

To create fortuitous outcomes, Chinese gamblers often combine the number 8 with other lucky numbers such as 3, 6 and 9.

Wear Red

The Chinese believe the colour red to be a symbol of life, joy and prosperity.

Therefore, wearing red at a casino (and in particular red undergarments), is thought to appease the gods and bring players good luck.

Side Entrances

Many Chinese gamblers think it bad luck to enter a casino through the main entrance. There are two reasons for this.

Firstly, it is thought that these doors have been cursed by Feng Shui masters.

Secondly, they believe that if you happen to rub shoulders with a loser on his way out, his bad luck may be transferred to you.

Trends

Chinese players will often obsessively looks for patterns or trends in a game.

If a player wins 3 times in a row, they will bet on the player winning a fourth time.

If a player starts to lose, they will bet against him to improve their chances.

Players can often be seen studying other tables looking for these patterns.

Wash Your Hands

If you hit an unlucky streak, the Chinese believe it is best to go and wash your hands and so wash away your bad luck. Some even carry their own lucky soaps for this very purpose.

Conversely, it is considered bad luck to wash your hands whilst winning, as this will wash away good luck.

These superstitions may seem odd to some, but with millions to be won at casinos, they may be worth some serious consideration.

Top Five Chinese Dishes we Can’t Help but Scoff

 

Do you ever look at a Chinese menu and feel overwhelmed by the huge variety of dishes? Take away the worry of choosing by going for one of the top five Chinese dishes. These are tried and trusted favourites with diners around the world, including ourselves.

 

Sweet and Sour

All kinds of food can be served in sweet and sour sauce, including pork, chicken and shrimp. The sauce is made by mixing white rice vinegar and soy sauce with spices and sweeteners such as sugar or honey. Sweet and sour sauce has a distinctive bright orange and red colour and can include pineapple and vegetables such as sliced peppers and onions.

Chow Mein

Chow Mein noodles are cooked in boiling water, allowed to cool and then stir-fried, when meats and vegetables such as onions, celery, bean sprouts and cabbage are added. Chow Mein noodles can be left soft or served crispy, sometimes called ‘Hong Kong style,’ so it is best to check with the restaurant which style they are serving.

Kung Po Chicken

This dish also known as Gong Bao Chicken. It comes from the Sichuan region of China and is a wonderfully spicy dish of chicken, chili and peanuts that can be served with rice or noodles. Some restaurants coat the chicken in corn-starch and fry it, but it is a healthier option to simply dice the chicken and simmer it in sauce.

Won Tons

These sticky little dumplings are irrestible and there are even whole restaurants devoted to them. They are made from thin dough that is shaped into a triangle and filled with minced pork or chicken, shrimp and vegetables. They are often steamed but they can be deep-fried and a delicious option is to serve them in a soup. It is traditional in China to eat wontons in the winter, but they are delicious all year round.

Peking Duck

This Beijing dish is often considered China’s national dish. Duck is cooked in its skin and thinly sliced, then eaten with pancakes topped with sweet bean or plum sauce.

Come try these dishes and much much more at The Dragon Court Restaurant.

So which staple chinese dishes are missing from this delicious banquet? Leave a comment below.

Fortune Cookies – The Confusing Origin

The simple, crispy treat containing that mysterious message is the perfect end to your Chinese meal. But, just how Chinese is the fortune cookie?

Some claim that the true origin of the little cake with a message is in fact Japanese. Others notice that citizens of China neither eat fortune cookies nor recognise them as authentic Chinese food.

It seems that a Chinese immigrant in California, called Jung, produced cookies in 1918 and placed uplifting biblical messages inside. The cookies were given away to unemployed men, thus feeding the body and the mind. Modern fortune cookies are mass-produced, and contain a greater variety of messages such as philosophy, jokes and even lottery numbers which some people find deeply meaningful.

Whether of Chinese, Japanese or American origins, the little cookie still maintains its mystery.

Making Egg Noodles From Scratch

Making egg noodles from scratch is simpler than you’d think, whether you are an experienced cook or a novice. Here is what you will need:

2 1/2 cups of flour (all purpose)
1/2 a cup of milk
1 pinch of salt
A tablespoon of butter
2 Eggs

Begin by stirring together the flour and add the pinch of salt, stirring vigorously to ensure a good mix. Add the eggs, milk and butter and knead until a smooth mixture is achieved. Rest for 10 minutes.

Cut a 1/8 to 1/4 thick lumps and roll or cut into any shape you desire.

Let breathe a little before cooking. This will ensure the pasta cooks properly once placed in the pan.

Put the pasta in a large pot with boiling water, and salt the water to your liking. Cook until desired, tasting the pasta after 4-5 minutes.

That is all!

Why are Rice and Noodles Staple Foods in Chinese Cuisine?

Whilst wheat, barley and oats are the main cereal crops of the Western world, in China and many other countries it is rice which is grown as the dominant staple foodstuff. Rice has been farmed in China for thousands of years and many miles of terraced mountain slopes which have been artificially flooded to enable the crop to thrive are a common sight across the continent. Particularly in southern China, the climate is particularly suited to growing rice, which is why it is grown in preference to wheat or oats.

Rice is enormously versatile and can be used to make both sweet and savoury dishes. Fried rice is a common way of cooking this delicious cereal crop, although it can also be ground down to make rice flour. In Chinese cookery, rice or wheat flour may be mixed into a paste then cut into long strands to make tasty noodles.

Chinese Table Etiquette

There’s no better way to ingratiate yourself with the local people when travelling than by showing awareness of their cultural habits and routines. Here’s a list of rules and taboos for those of you who want to have fun by embracing the traditional way in which Chinese food is eaten.

  • At the start of the meal wait for the host to seat all his guests and don’t start eating until the host has invited you to.
  • You will eat your meal using chopsticks so it is a good idea to practice before you arrive. When eating, take care not to twirl, lick or point with your chopsticks.
  • Eat at the same speed as those around you and don’t smoke at the dinner table.
  • If you are a guest do not pour your own drink.
  • If someone gives you a toast you should immediately pause your eating to acknowledge and toast in response.

These tips ensure that your chinese food experience will be as genuine as it can possibly get, without having to leave Wales!

A Merry Chinese Christmas

Most Chinese don’t celebrate Christmas for the same reasons as those of us in the UK, but they do make sure the day is enjoyed as a family with plenty of good food, gifts and symbols of good luck.

A Chinese Christmas involves and centres around food – and lots of it! The Chinese believe that running out of food while eating is bad luck, so it’s always in abundance.

The meal starts with appetizers, generally three or four dishes which often include sesame prawn toast or mixed vegetable soup, along with dumplings and spring rolls.

The main course is made up of several dishes such as Peking duck with different sauces, beef or chicken in oyster sauce and chicken chow mein.

After so many dishes, desserts are fairly simple and include fruit cocktails or sesame balls. Koi shaped jelly is also popular as Koi is a symbol of good luck.

Top Chopstick Tips

Chopsticks look simple, but get it wrong and someone could get hurt.

Start by bracing the first chopstick between your thumb and middle finger. Hold the second chopstick between your thumb and index finger. It’s only this second, upper chopstick that should move to pinch the food against the lower chopstick.

Chopsticks also have their own etiquette, akin to western table manners. Chopsticks aren’t weapons, so don’t stab your food, or point them at people. Also don’t cross your chopsticks, or use them with shared food. Once you’ve finished eating, leave them to the left of your dish.

This is only the tip of the iceberg too, for a practice that’s evolved over hundreds of years. This is a good place to start though, and will hopefully prevent your hosts from thinking you’re rude, or a jinx.