dumpling heaven

Recipes: Japanese

2007-07-16T21:06:00.000-07:00

Below you will find popular Japanese recipes.

Black Cod / Salmon Kasuzuke
Cabbage Salad Japanese Style
California Sushi
Chawan Mushi Japanese Style
Chicken Donburi
Gyudon Rice with Beef or Pork
Harusame Salad
Inari-Zushi Recipe
Katsudon Pork Cutlet Over Rice (Japanese Style)
Pork and Vegetable Miso Soup Recipe
Sadako's Kzaunoko-Herring Roe Recipe
Spicy Grilled Tofu

Houston Rockets Pathetic

2007-05-05T22:06:00.000-07:00

5/5/2007 Houston- Up 2-0 versus the Utah Jazz, most fans thought this year might be the year that the Houston Rockets make it out of the first round of the playoffs. On Saturday night, all hopes and dreams came to an end as the Utah Jazz defeated the Rockets 103-99. The Jazz have never won in Houston until today.

What disappointed me the most was the lack of hustle for that final possession. What are the Rockets players playing for? Do they know that this is Game 7, do or die? I guess they didn't want to win. I guess they had already made plans for summer vacation. There is another side to this story as well.

Visit Houston Rockets Game 7 for the rest of the article.

ChinatownConnection.com Feb.2007 Newsletter

2007-03-07T21:18:00.000-08:00

Happy Chinese New Year

Gong Shi Fa Choy! Happy Year of the Boar!
On behalf of ChinatownConnection.com, I want to wish everyone a happy, lucrative, and safe year. – Editor, Shaun Yeu.

What's New in this issue:
China Economic Boom
Chinese Language Tips and Techniques
Lantern Festival
Traditional Chinese Festivals
Chinese Astrology Compatibility
Chinese New Year Horoscope
15 Day Celebration of Chinese New Year
The Economic Giant: A Closer Look at China
Learn Mandarin Phrases
Ten Celebrated Inventions of Ancient China
Pig Chinese Zodiac
Traditions, Customs of Chinese New Year
Chinese Calendar
Chinese Holidays
Idea for Chinese New Year Dinner Party
Chinese New Year, Year of the Pig
Names and Lucky Numbers
Chinese Pregnancy Calendar
Eastern vs. Western Culture
China Provinces
Traditional Chinese Music
Chinese Proverbs
Chinese Quotes
2007 Year of the Pig
Mahjong
Chinese Alphabet

15 Day Celebration of Chinese New Year

Read and learn about the 15 days after Chinese New Year.

ChinatownConnection.com 2007 January Newsletter

2007-01-21T13:27:00.000-08:00

January 2007 Newsletter

Welcome the New Year

2007 has finally arrived. In a month, Chinese New Year will be upon us. Let us take a moment and see how we can better ourselves this year: set realistic goals, do a good deed daily, and of course, enjoy life! Have a joyous New Year! -- S.Y., Editor

What's New in this issue:

· Asian Fashion

· China From the Sky

· Chinese Symbols
Texas Tall Tales Trivia Contest

Come and play our Texas Tall Tales trivia contest. Each month, we will put out an article and inside it will be a mistake. Submit the mistake to us and if you are correct, you will be entered into a drawing for a great prize! Click on the link for more info and to play.

Play Texas Tall Tales

Beef Lo Mein with Bean Sprouts Recipe
Serving Size : 6 Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method -------- ------------ -------------------------------- 1 lb Fresh Chinese egg noodles - (medium width) 1/2 lb Beef flank steak 2 tb Oyster sauce 2 tb Dark soy sauce 1 tb Light soy sauce 1/2 c Chicken broth 2 ts Asian sesame oil 2 ts Sugar 1/2 ts White pepper 4 tb Peanut oil 2 sl Fresh peeled ginger -- bruised 2 Garlic cloves -- bruised 1 t Salt 1/2 lb Fresh bean sprouts - tails removed, patted dry 1 c Chinese garlic chives-Green onions-Cut into 2-in lengths
-----BEEF MARINADE----- 1/2 tb Soy sauce 2 ts Rice wine or dry sherry 1/2 ts Sugar 1/2 tb Cornstarch 1 t Sesame oil
ADD NOODLES TO A LARGE POT of boiling salted water. Stir and when it reaches a second boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for 1 minute longer. Drain. Rinse with cold water. Drain thoroughly. Cut meat against the grain in 1/4-inch thick slices. Mix beef marinade. Add beef strips and let stand for 15 minutes. In a medium bowl, mix together oyster sauce, dark and light soy sauces, chicken broth, sesame oil, sugar, and white pepper. Preheat a wok. Add 2 tablespoons of oil, 1 slice of ginger and garlic, and half of the salt; sauté until fragrant. Increase to high heat, add beef; stir-fry until browned, about 2 minutes. Remove and set aside. Heat remaining oil in the wok over medium heat. Add the remaining ginger, garlic and salt. Pour in sauce mixture, stir and bring to a boil. Add noodles and toss to coat with the sauce. Add the bean sprouts, chives and return the beef; stir-fry. Pick out and discard ginger and garlic.

More Chinese Recipes

Visit our Sponsor
Shop at Golden Foods Supermarket this Holiday Season. Fresh produce, great Asian food selection, LOW prices everyday!

New on ChinatownConnection.com

2007-01-13T22:43:00.000-08:00

We have created a new section, Asian Fashion Guide, which will include Asian fashion, beauty tips, hair styles, and more. Go check it out today.

Texas Trivia

2006-12-30T20:56:00.000-08:00

Texas Tall Tales. In the article there is a mistake in fact [a lie], find it and you will be entered into the drawing for a $20 Target Gift Card.

ChinatownConnection.com December Newsletter

2006-12-09T22:28:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays

Christmas is the gentlest, loveliest festival of the revolving year - and yet, for all that, when it speaks, its voice has strong authority. ~W.J. Cameron

What's New in this issue:

· Chinese Culture

· News / Articles

· Houston Holiday Guide
From Jackiechankids.com-

Do they Chinese celebrate Christmas in China? Well, the answer to this question is both YES and NO.

If you walked around a major Chinese city 20 years ago, you probably wouldn't have seen many signs of Christmas. This is because Christmas is a Christian holiday and not many Chinese people are Christian. However, if you were to visit those same Chinese cities today, you'd see signs of Christmas everywhere you looked! On the Avenue of Eternal Peace in Beijing, China, there are Christmas displays everywhere. Many Chinese people celebrate by decorating their houses with Christmas trees, cooking and eating special foods, and spending time with family and friends.

Featured Video: Mathproof Video

Watch More Videos
Mandarin Orange Pudding Recipe
Ingredients: 1/4 ounce Agar agar 2/3 cup Sugar 2 cup Warm water 1/4 cup Evaporated milk 4 cup Water 10 cherries 4 Mandarin Orange
Directions:Soak agar agar stick in a med. bowl with 2 c. warm water 30 minutes. Transfer agar agar and water to a lg. saucepan. Add 4 c. water. Bring to a boil over med. heat and cook until agar agar is completely dissolved. Take orange pulp from the oranges remove seeds. Remove saucepan from heat and add sugar, milk and orange pulp. Stir until sugar is totally dissolved. Pour into a 12x8 cake pan. Let stand until cool. Refrigerate until pudding is firm, about 15 min. Cut into diamond shapes. Garnish with cherries. Serve chilled.

More Chinese Recipes
Visit our Sponsor
Shop at Golden Foods Supermarket this Holiday Season. Fresh produce, great Asian food selection, LOW prices everyday!

Red Light Cameras in Houston

2006-11-24T08:13:00.000-08:00

Houston Red Light Camera Locations on ChinatownConnection.com is complete. We have listed the 20 most recent red light camera installations around town for everyone to view.

Houston Redlight Cameras

2006-11-15T22:10:00.000-08:00

Red-light camera map More drivers who run red lights can expect to receive a ticket in the mail, with 10 additional surveillance cameras now in operation.As of Friday, officials said, the city's red-light cameras had recorded 4,363 incidents, with 3,681 eventually approved by the Houston Police Department for citations to be issued.The figures are expected to jump dramatically as the system continues to come online. An unofficial tally indicated the latest batch of cameras recorded more than 3,000 red-light events in the first five days, officials said. Visit Houston Red Light Cameras Locations Map to see where the red light cameras are.

Lai Lai Dumpling House

2006-10-25T21:22:00.000-07:00

Canonical cheap Chinese food . Dumplings are well prepared, if you like the thick-skin style of dumplings. Dumpling sauce is excellent too. This is the only restaurant worth ordering general tso's chicken in, that I am aware of. It is well prepared with a medium batter, meaty chunks of chicken, and a nice sauce. Request that they make the sauce spicy, for an extra kick. Other canonical dishes: triple meat flat fried rice noodles, mongolian beef, kung pow fish, shrimp fried dumplings, pork steamed dumplings, shrimp steamed dumplings, beef with broccoli. Not highly authentic, but good tasting and cheap. Visit Chinese Restaurant in Houston Guide for more reviews.

Houston Attractions

2006-10-12T20:23:00.000-07:00

Houston Chinatown is a fascinating area to immerse yourself in another culture while visiting Houston. The district offers a full array of retail shops, restaurants, Chinese groceries, theaters, churches, temples, and the offices of the Chinese Merchants’ Association right in southwest Houston. Driving down Bellaire Blvd. between Boone and Fondren, Chinese street signs begin to emerge along side shopping centers, businesses, markets, and an abundance of restaurants to satisfy authentic Chinese food cravings. Stop for lunch, buy a few gifts, or wander around the local markets and absorb the Chinese culture that has grown up in Houston.
Website: http://www.chinatownconnection.com/

Houston This Week

2006-07-23T19:02:00.000-07:00

A couple of Houston News tops Houston's headlines this week:

• MetroBank, N.A. to hold health seminar
• Miss Chinatown Houston 2006 Pageant to be held this Saturday

Please feel free to contact the editor for any new press releases.

Asian Newcomers to Houston

2006-07-12T16:54:00.000-07:00

As you drive west down traffic-choked Bellaire Boulevard, straight through the suburb of the same name and into the mini-mall sprawl of western Houston, it's obvious that this is the Lone Star State's biggest city. A corporate outpost of Halliburton, the controversial conglomerate, sits on the right, and Sally Jo's Old Houston Bar-B-Q joint is up on the left. Then you see it, Houston Chinatown in front, left, right and behind you. You see numerous Houston Chinese Restaurants and Houston Chinese Shopping Centers .

Up and down Bellaire near Beltway 8, Chinese and Vietnamese signs battle with English for dominance in a part of town dubbed New Houston Chinatown by some, Asiatown by others.

If you're craving Chinese or Vietnamese Restaurants in Houston ,Bellaire is your boulevard of unbroken dreams. Drop into Sichuan Cuisine, a great place for Sichuan style food and of course super-spicy dishes.

Online Art Gallery

2006-06-27T16:53:00.000-07:00

Art Gallery Online has plenty of unique artworks from Asia to Europe. Many famous artists include:

Also, there are some famous Japanese and Chinese artists showcasing there works as well.

Torrential Rain Floods Houston

2006-06-21T17:29:00.000-07:00

As much as 10.5 inches of rain was reported in the Houston area by the height of the morning rush hour, said Rusty Cornelius, administrative coordinator for Harris County Emergency Management. Almost 6 inches of rain fell in just 75 minutes near Hobby Airport, the National Weather Service reported. Also in Houston , a YMCA building was surrounded by water and people were standing on the roof Monday morning as water in the parking lot inched up on the vehicles' doors. Emergency crews answered about 500 calls for help, mostly from stranded motorists, White said. "We live in Houston, Texas, and you can't be surprised at flooding in Houston," White said. "When you have this much rain in a short period of time at a place that's near sea level, then you still have some real risk."

New on ChinatownConnection.com

2006-06-13T23:33:00.000-07:00

The following Chinese information has been posted on ChinatownConnection.com:

Chinese Written Language
Chinese Years and Elements
Chinese Zodiac and Signs

Houston Chinese Restaurants

2006-06-07T17:08:00.000-07:00

My friend and I decided to go visit some Houston Chinese restaurants this past weekend. We love Chinese food and had a case of Chinese food hunger attack. The weirdest thing was that there were too many Chinese restaurants to choose from. Actually over 700 in the Houston city limits. Gosh that was alot. So we are still trying to find an online guide that has a list of the best Chinese restaurants in Houston . We did find one site, www.chinatownconnection.com/restaurant.htm which is a very impressive Asian Dining Guide. I think it is the best on the web.

Anyways, me and my friend plan to go check out more Chinese restaurants next weekend. Peace!

Visiting Houston Chinese Restaurants

2006-05-17T16:51:00.000-07:00

If you love Chinese food and live in Houston, there is this really great guide, Houston Chinese Restaurants Guide. It lists out all of the Chinese Restaurant in Houston. With over 300 Chinese restaurants in the Metropolitan Houston area, it is hard to decide where to eat. So go check it out today!

Town Hall Meeting, Houston Chinatown

2006-05-12T11:20:00.000-07:00

Their was a town hall meeting in Houston Chinatown today. The topic was about the growing crime rate in the area and how police and citizens of Chinatown Houston will resolve this issue. It is a very serious matter and we must work together to solve this problem, says a resident of Chinatown. We want to make Chinatown a tourist destination, a landmark, an attraction. But to do so, we must defeat crime in this area, says Kenneth Li, Houston Asian American Business Council.

Chinese Recipes

2006-05-10T16:45:00.000-07:00

Just want to let everyone know about the Chinese Recipes Page. It has most of the famous Chinese Recipes on it. I saw the recipe for making wonton soup. My question is, where to buy the wraps for the wontons? I live in Oklahoma City. Thanks!

Answer: If there is an Asian supermarket you will be able to find wonton skin. Other places you might check : chain grocery store like HEB. They might sell them in the ethnic section.

What are your favorite Houston Chinese restaurants?

2006-05-03T12:08:00.000-07:00

Q: What are your favorite Chinese restaurants in Houston?

A: Here is mine:

1. King Bo II Chinese Restaurant

2. Lucky Village

3. FuFu's (just opened)

4. Hunan Plus

5. China Bear

6. Noodle House

7. China Gourmet

Where can I get a good deal for Chinese buffet in Houston?

2006-04-28T11:55:00.000-07:00

Comment: Here are a few places you can try:1. China Bear in Sugar Land2. Lucky Village (various locations). Also, visit our Houston Chinese Buffet Guide. It will have a more comprehensive list.

Comment: I luv Chinese buffets Where else can a 300 lb man fill up his stomach without costing a fortune.

Comment: I have tried China Plaza on I-10 and they are pretty decent. Also Wok Bo on Westheimer is good too.

Bordard Bistro Vietmanese Restaurant in Houston

2006-04-16T20:20:00.000-07:00

I have to admit, this restaurant made GREAT dishes. But the service is much worse. If you demand both, mind as well go somewhere else.

Bordard Bistro Vietnamese Restaurant in Houston
9140 Bellaire Blvd, Suite B
Houston, TX 77036

Favorite Chinese Foods

2006-04-03T14:08:00.000-07:00

Q: What are some of you favorite Chinese foods?

A: I love dumplings and kung pao chicken, stinky tofu, fried rice, sweet sour chicken, and mapo tofu.

Visit Chinese restaurant in Houston Guide for more Chinese food articles and talk.

Houston Asian Chinese restaurant guide

2006-03-22T13:59:00.000-08:00

Well I was browsing through the web today and found this really cool dining guide in Houston. Their website is at http://www.chinatownconnection.com/houston-asian-restaurant-guide.htm and it features all these Asian restaurants in Houston that I have never heard of before. The coolest thing about this restaruant guide is how much food detail it goes into. You can learn about Hunan Cuisine or make your own Chinese food from their Chinese recipes Guide. I love reading the restaurant reviews people have submitted about these Chinese, Japanese restaurants and I love the fact that they put their menus on the web. It makes everything so much more convienent and efficient. This is the best Houston restaurant guide out there, even better than Citysearch which does not focus on a niche market like ChinatownConnection.com's guide. For all those who love Chinese and Asian food, this is the guide to visit before you head out!

Sinh Sinh Chinese Restaurant Houston

2006-03-12T15:47:00.000-08:00

I kind of like this place... NOT. I had dinner there with my girl a few months ago and talk about a bad experience. The noise level is incredibly loud, went on the weekend which made it worse, and the service was plain lousy. I had to wait forever for them to refill my drink. Food was poor considering there are so many Houston Chinese restaurant around that area. I give it two thumbs down.

pros: large restaurant
cons: noise, atmosphere, service, food

Sinh Sinh Chinese Restaurant

2006-03-07T22:03:00.000-08:00

After reading everyone's post so far, I am a bit suprised. I have been to this place and found it ok. It is not a spetacular dining experience to say the least and the atmosphere is terribly loud like a flea market. But I think the food is ok and the price, yeah a bit on the high side. Only reason I ate there was because my friends. Otherwise, I would have never ate at this place ever.

Visit Houston Asian Restaurants Guide for more restaurant reviews.

Is Chinese Food Healthy?

2006-02-13T16:58:00.000-08:00

Chinese food , when authentic is probably the healthiest food in the world. Some restaurants, which are not authentic, prepare their menu with highly saturated fats or with meats that contain unhealthy amounts of animal fat. These Chinese restaurants are not recommended and they are both neither authentic nor healthy.

Good Chinese food however, is prepared and cooked with poly-unsaturated oils. Authentic Chinese food does not require the use of milk-fat ingredients such as cream, butter or cheese. Meat is used, but not in abundance, which makes it easy for those who love authentic Chinese food to avoid high levels of animal fat. Many believe that authentic Chinese food is really the ideal diet.

Visit Houston Chinatown Web Portal for more Chinese culture articles.

Good Chinese Food

2006-02-06T21:25:00.000-08:00

I have had decent Chinese food in my life. But, I have never had good Chinese food until recently. I had the opportunity to visit Houston Chinatown on a recent business trip. I am one of those types of people who are really picky about what I eat. So going to Houston Chinatown and eating Chinese food was going to be a challenge since most places are so-so in my opinion. I knew I was going to get a real Chinese meal when I went to China Gourmet. After seeing their review and photos on Chinese Restaurant in Houston,and Japanese,Korean,Vietnamese,and Thai Restaurants in Houston Guide , which by the way is probably the best Asian dining guide on the internet hands down, I went there to eat Taiwanese food. Wow did the food taste good. I had the stinky tofu and sizzling iron steak with noodles and it was the best I have ever tasted. I will definitely stop by again when I come back to Houston.

Chinese dumplings

2006-01-23T19:47:00.000-08:00

Chinese dumplings may be round or crescent-shaped, boiled or pan-fried. The filling may be sweet or savory; vegetarian or filled with meat and vegetables. Of course, all this variety can be confusing. As China is a country with a vast territory, there are great difference in various regions in ways of making jiaozi or even serving it. For example, dumplings wrappers are made with a rolling stick in most areas of Beijing and Hebei Provinces, whereas in some parts of Shanxi Province and inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, wrappers are hand-pressed.

Visit Houston dumpling restaurants for more information on Chinese dumplings.

An Introduction to Korean Food

2006-01-04T13:26:00.000-08:00

Korean Food

A diverse array of foods and dishes can be found throughout Korea. Korea was once primarily an agricultural nation, and Koreans have cultivated rice as their staple food since ancient times. These days Korean food is characterized by a wide variety of meat and fish dishes along with wild greens and vegetables. Various fermented and preserved food, such as kimchi (fermented spicy cabbage), jeotgal (seafood fermented in salt) and doenjang (fermented soy bean paste) are notable for their specific flavor and high nutritional value. The prominent feature of a Korean table setting is that all dishes are served at the same time. Traditionally, the number of side dishes varied from 3 for the lower classes to 12 for royal families. Table arrangements can vary depending on whether a noodle dish or meat is served. Formal rules have developed for table setting, demonstrating the attention people pay to food and dining. Compared to neighboring China and Japan, a spoon is used more often in Korea, especially when soups are served.

Visit Chinese Restaurant in Houston,and Japanese,Korean,Vietnamese,and Thai Restaurants in Houston Guide for more food articles.

Asian Dining in Houston Comments

2005-12-20T19:56:00.000-08:00

I ate at Zake Japanese Cuisine yesterday and I liked the contemporary/fusion restaurant layout. After reading them on Houston Japanese Restaurants Guide, a really good source for Asian dining in Houston, I decided to venture out and check out this place.They have both a restaurant section and a lounge section. I have never quite seen anything like it because it has a bit of club feel to it. Zake has DJ spinning dance music every Friday and Saturday night too. Zake is also a good place to meet a lot of young professionals. I like their sushi alot. Definitely A+ in my opinion.
If you ever get the chance to eat at an authentic Houston Japanese Restaurants , do so. One where you leave your shoes outside and sit on the floor in little depressions with the table up to your chin. Lots of dark wood, low ceilings, and moody light. I've never come across an authentic Japanese restaurant in America, but I'll keep looking. It's just amazing that so many cultures (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, etc...) living in such close proximity can have such different cuisines.
Oh yeah I know what you mean. The closest Japanese restaurant I have been to with taking the shoes off and sitting on the floor to eat was this place in Austin. I can't remember the name but I do remember the traditional Japanese style dining. Very neat experience.

Visit Chinese Restaurant in Houston,and Japanese,Korean,Vietnamese,and Thai Restaurants in Houston Guide for the official Houston Asian Dining Guide.

Houston Chinese Restaurant Reviews

2005-12-05T18:28:00.000-08:00

Noodle House
9160 Bellaire Blvd, Suite B
Houston, TX 77036
Tele: 713-779-3809
(Located in Diho Square)

ChinatownConnection Editorial Profile
The Scene
When you walk into the restaurant, you will notice the nice ambience and subdued tone of the colors used in this restaurant. The paintings and artwork on the walls are a nice touch. There are plenty of seating available.
The Food
Taiwanese dishes and noodle bowls are the main features here at Noodle House. They have my favorites, beef noodle soup and black pepper steak with noodle. Also on the menu are Taiwanese appetizers and traditional Taiwanese breakfast.
Heads Up
Noodle House is located in Diho square next to the police station.

Visit Houston Chinese Restaurants for more reviews.

Ay Chung Flour Rice Noodle Chinese Restaurant

2005-12-02T18:45:00.000-08:00

Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle Chinese Restaurant
9338 Bellaire Blvd.
Houston, TX 77036
(Located next to Diho Center)

Advice to vegetarians: not much can be had here in terms of vegetarian fare. They were accomodating, however the portion was small and a little pricy and nothing special.
Visit Houston Chinese Restaurants Guide for more restaurant reviews.

2005-11-27T21:19:00.000-08:00

Antony's House Chinese Restaurant
4645 Highway 6, Suite W
Sugar Land, TX 77478
Tele: 281-491-0098
(Located next to East Cafe Buffet)

The Scene
Antony's House is a trendy Chinese restaurant. The interior is simple yet effective. A few tables and chairs outside makes dining perfect on those beautiful days and nights.

The Food
Their menu is enormous. They offer sandwiches and traditional Chinese snacks, all sorts of rice entrees like baked pork chop with fried rice, and noodle bowls. And then there is the Chef's special section with over 20 authentic Chinese dishes. They also have a family dinner special where you can choose from a dinner for 2 to a dinner for 4 feast.

Heads Up
Not only does Antony's Cafe offer food, they have an enormous beverage menu including a variety of milk teas, different types of green and black tea, slushy, shakes, coffee, cappuccino, Hong Kong style drinks, and blizzards (unique drink).

Visit Houston Restaurants for more restaurant reviews.

2005-11-26T15:32:00.000-08:00

Pine Forest Garden Vegetarian Restaurant
9108 Bellaire Blvd.
Houston, TX 77036

Pine Forest Garden Vegetarian Restaurant is one of the most impressive place I have ever been to. It is not like the conventional vegetarian restaurant. Pine Forest is very clean and the food is awesome. In order to enhance the taste of the dishes, some vegetarian restaurant tend to use a little too much oil when they cook. But in Pine Forest Garden, the cooking oil is used in a very moderate amount and yet the dishes are still tasteful. Also believe it or not, the vege Kung Pao chicken tastes just like the real Kung Pao chicken. Also, Tofu in Szechuan style is also a must try. This spicy tofu dish taste especially delicious when mixed with rice. The Lunch buffet is also a great deal. For $5.50, you can have a very healthy alternative lunch without sacrificing the taste.
Visit Houston Chinese Restaurants for more reviews.

2005-11-21T19:38:00.000-08:00

Sichuan Cuisine
9114 Bellaire Blvd.
Houston, TX 77036
(Welcome Shopping Center)

For those who love hot and spicy delicacies, Sichuan is a great place to go. Sichuan provides a variety of authentic Sichuan (a province in China meaning “four rivers”) style food, from snacks and appetizers to a full-course meal. I highly recommend the House Special Crispy Chicken; the quantity is great and the spicy taste combined with the crispy chicken only makes you ask for more. I have always heard about the famous “steam corn bun” Wo-Wo-Tou, but never really have the chance to taste it until I had them in Sichuan. These steam corn buns may look like the regular buns at first glance, but when you actually eat them, it is totally different from regular buns. Dragon Wontons are also something special. These wontons have the more stuffing and tender wrappings, and they are dipped in the red spicy oil. It is a good snack and appetizer to start your meal.

Visit Houston Restaurants Guide for more reviews.

2005-11-18T16:46:00.000-08:00

King Bo II Chinese Restaurant
4707 Hwy. 6 South
Missouri City, TX 77459
(Dulles Ave. next to Starbucks)

The Scene:
Spacious interior, modern design, and southwestern exterior deco all describe King Bo Restaurant. When you walk in, you will notice glass pane wall and a "kitchen island". There are also plenty of seating for large groups of people.

The Food:
Food choices are plentiful here as you can see in their menu (located on the toolbar to the left). They have all kinds of delicious dishes and a lunch special that people can afford. Where else can you find a main dish with fried rice, egg roll or crab rangoon, and soup for less than $5.00? Talk about a bargain. Or how about ordering something to go. They even offer free delivery. If you love Chinese food, this is the place to go or order from. King Bo also serves red and white wines and all kinds of beer (even Tsing Tao)

Heads Up:
Ordering to go is easy. Just look at their menu on this page, call them up, and if you are within their delivery range, your food will arrive on your front door. If delivery is not an option, just call and pick up your order. Very simple and efficient.

Visit Chinese, Japanese Restaurants Guide for more Houston restaurant reviews.

2005-11-07T16:56:00.000-08:00

Grand Cafe Chinese Restaurant in Houston
9102 Bellaire Blvd
Houston, TX 77036
Tele: 713-779-8889
(Located in Diho Square)

ChinatownConnection Editorial Profile
The Scene
On the outside, Grand Cafe might not seem much. But once you walk into this restaurant, this cozy small restaurant will grab your attention. The colored lights hanging down the ceiling is a very nice touch along with the wall accent lights. The chairs are elegant, however, the tables don't match quite as well.

The Food
You get the traditional Chinese dishes here along with a few Chef specials.

Heads Up
Located on the outer edge of Diho Square, parking on the weekends can be hard to find.

Visit Houston Restaurants for more information.

2005-11-04T13:45:00.000-08:00

Hong Kong Cafe

9108 Bellaire Blvd., Suite A
Houston, TX 77036
Tele:713-772-9633
(Located in Diho Square)

ChinatownConnection Editorial Profile
Great tasting dishes at a low price set in a soothing environment.

The Scene
Trendy, modern interior and a very comfortable cafe atmosphere.

The Food
They have breakfast, lunch, and dinner specials in addition to various dishes on their massive menu. Their specials all include a beverage, tea or coffee (lunch and dinner can substitute with bubble tea for $.50 more). The portions are just right and the food tastes delicious. Traditional Hong Kong style cooking at its best.

Visit Houston Chinese Restaurants for more restaurant reviews.

2005-10-21T13:29:00.000-07:00

Zake, at Houston Chinatown Restaurant , is a very stylish and contemporary Houston restaurant that provides a lot of great fusion cooking. Inside, they have a Houston restaurant section and a lounge section. This is a very cool place to get traditional sushi at the sushi bar while enjoying modern music and the surrounding setting. Zake has DJ spinning dance music every Friday and Saturday night so after you have your meals with your friend or your date, you can just enjoy your weekend night hanging out there. Zake is also a good place to meet a lot of young professionals, so if ever you want to try some place new, meet some new people or impress your date, this is the right place to go. Go check it out at Houston Chinese Restaurant

2005-10-11T22:05:00.000-07:00

Chinese Restaurant Houston : Tay Do Chinese Restaurant

The Scene:
Tay Do Restaurant is very elegantly designed. The lighting coming down from the extravagant chandeliers will catch your eyes immediately. The use of columns, indigenous faux plants, and must I say again, the lighting is just perfect. These items blend in with the entire restaurant's soothing atmosphere. On one side of the restaurant walls, you will notice a Chinese word and two dragons. This restaurant is also used after a wedding for a big dinner.

The Food:
Tay Do offers exquisite Chinese and Vietnamese dishes. Immigrating from China to Viet Nam, and finally to the U.S. in 1979, the Tran family have carefully refined their recipes to meet the expectations and tastes of its many guests. Traditional recipes brought from their home land are prepared with the freshest and finest quality ingredients. There are plenty of dishes to choose from including their famous Maine Lobster (stir fried in black pepper with bell pepper & onions) and Vietnamese egg rolls. Their clay pot (special rice risoto topped w/ chicken, chinese sausage, onion, and lilyflower) is also a customer favorite.

Heads up:
Tay Do also has lunch special from 10:30am to 3pm. It comes with the main dish, egg roll, fried rice, and a choice of egg drop, wonton, or hot and sour soup. Tay Do also hosts wedding party. Below is a picture of the beautiful decoration before the party.
Please visit www.chinatownconnection.com, Chinatown Houston for more information.

2005-10-08T16:51:00.000-07:00

Chinese Restaurant in Houston

Tapioca House
9104 Bellaire Blvd.
Houston 77036
(located by Welcome Shopping Center)

Only thing to say about this place is Free Wireless Internet Access!! and great tasting bubble tea. Located in Houston Chinatown, this place beats the local Starbucks because bubble tea is cheaper, taste better, and they don't charge money to access the internet. The atmosphere is comfy and this place is great to have meetings or have a conversation. The Chinese food tastes great and bubble tea is excellent.

2005-10-04T19:30:00.000-07:00

Chinese Restaurant in Houston Guide

The history of dumpling

The history of dumplings/jiaozi dates back to ancient times, some 500-600 years ago. As the Spring Festival marks the start of a new year, people choose to eat jiaozi to connote their wishes for good fortune in the new year. China has been perfecting the art of dumpling making since the Sung dynasty.FillingsThere is no set rule as to what makes dumping fillings. They can be anything from vegetables, meat to seafood. Whatever the fillings, the wrapping skill needs to be exquisite to make jiaozi look attractive.Shape and varietyChinese dumplings may be round or crescent-shaped, boiled or pan-fried. The filling may be sweet or savory; vegetarian or filled with meat and vegetables. Of course, all this variety can be confusing. As China is a country with a vast territory, there are great difference in various regions in ways of making jiaozi or even serving it. For example, dumplings wrappers are made with a rolling stick in most areas of Beijing and Hebei Provinces, whereas in some parts of Shanxi Province and inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, wrappers are hand-pressed.How to make Chinese dumplings?To make Chinese dumplings, first of all, chop the meat into pieces and mash them, then add salt, sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger, scallions, Chinese cabbage and MSG if you like. Mix thoroughly the ingredients; add two spoonful of water if necessary.In a big bowl, add water to flour gradually. Mix and knead by hand to form soft dough, then cover it with towel and put it aside for about an hour. Then scatter some dry flour on the board, knead and roll it into a sausage---like dough about 5 centimeters in diameter, then chop it into small pieces. Press each piece with your hand and get a pancake. Finally, to hold the pancake with your palm and put the filling in the center and wrap into half-moon shaped and seal the edges.The next step is easy. Put the dumpling into boiling water, when it is well cooked, it is ready to be served. Before eating, you need to prepare some small dishes to contain the mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil or pepper oil [to your own taste.Ways of servingWays of serving Chinese dumplings also vary from place to place. Generally, Chinese dumplings are boiled in clear water and served dry with vinegar, soy sauce, garlic or pepper oil if one likes them hot. In some parts of the Northeast China, however, dumplings are boiled in broth together with vermicelli made from bean starch, and served together.
Chinese dumplings and cultureNew Year's Food Chinese dumpling is one of the most important foods in Chinese New Year. Since the shape of Chinese dumplings is similar to ancient Chinese gold or silver ingots, they symbolize wealth. Traditionally, the members of a family get together to make dumplings during the New Year's Eve. They may hide some coins in one of the dumplings. The person who fined the coin will likely have a good fortune in the New Year. Chinese dumpling is also popular in other Chinese holidays or festivals, so it is part of the Chinese culture or tradition.
Family Link Making dumplings is really a team work. Usually family members will join the work. Most Chinese started making dumplings when they were small. They were good at particularly making skins, which is the hardest part of making dumplings.

Please visit Chinatown Houston for more information.

Peking Duck, Houston Chinese Restaurant

2005-09-30T21:30:00.000-07:00

Chinese Restaurant in Houston Guide and Review

History
The origin of the Peking Duck dates back to the Ming Dynasty, about 600 years ago. Cooks from all over China traveled to the capital Beijing to cook for the Emperor. It was a prestigious occupation as only the best chefs could enter the palace kitchens. A top cook was even able to reach the rank of a minister! It was in these kitchens where dishes of exceptional quality such as the Peking Duck was first created and crafted to perfection by palace chefs. However, many of the recipes for such foods of the Emperor were later smuggled out of the kitchen and onto the streets of Beijing. With the eventual fall of the Ching dynasty in 1911, court chefs who left the Forbidden City set up restaurants around Beijing and brought the Peking Duck and other delicious dishes to the masses.
The Dish
Peking Duck is originally from Beijing, which is the capital of Mainland China. It is prepared with a kind of fruit tree, so it has a fruity flavor. Its skin is very crispy. You also eat it in a very special way. First you need to use a special bread. Then you can start your tasty meal. Usually, you cannot finish a whole Peking Duck, so you can make soup with the leftovers.
Most Chinese people are very fond of Peking Roast Duck. You can go to a Chinese restaurant to order this dish rather than prepare it at home because it takes some time to cook it, and you need a lot of things to prepare it. Chinese Restaurant in Houston
The duck is divided into three parts and made in three different ways. The first way is the most popular. The meat is selected from the best part of the duck and is boned. Green onions and dressing are added to make it savory and a little sweet. It is served with thin crepes. You just spread the dressing on the crepe, add some green onions, and roll it up.
The second way is to use the part of the duck with less meat. It can be fried with garlic, chilies, ginger or onions. A third way allows you to make use of the entire duck. You can make soup with cabbage and the duck meat with bones. Chinese Restaurant in Houston, www.chinatownconnection.com/restaurant.htm
I would recommend you try it if you want to try something different. Once you try it, you will understand why this dish is loved by so many. You can try Peking duck at any of the following restaurants in Houston listed below.

Please visit www.chinatownconnection.com, Chinatown Houston for more food articles.

History of dumplings-interesting article

2005-09-26T15:57:00.000-07:00

Chinatown Houston Web Portal Presents: The History of Dumplings.

The History of dumplings/jiaozi dates back to ancient times, some 500-600 years ago. As the Spring Festival marks the start of a new year, people choose to eat jiaozi to connote their wishes for good fortune in the new year. China has been perfecting the art of dumpling making since the Sung dynasty. Fillings There is no set rule as to what makes dumping fillings. They can be anything from vegetables, meat to seafood. Whatever the fillings, the wrapping skill needs to be exquisite to make jiaozi look attractive. Shape and variety Chinese dumplings may be round or crescent-shaped, boiled or pan-fried. The filling may be sweet or savory; vegetarian or filled with meat and vegetables. Of course, all this variety can be confusing. As China is a country with a vast territory, there are great difference in various regions in ways of making jiaozi or even serving it. For example, dumplings wrappers are made with a rolling stick in most areas of Beijing and Hebei Provinces, whereas in some parts of Shanxi Province and inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, wrappers are hand-pressed. How to make Chinese dumplings? To make Chinese dumplings, first of all, chop the meat into pieces and mash them, then add salt, sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger, scallions, Chinese cabbage and MSG if you like. Mix thoroughly the ingredients; add two spoonful of water if necessary. In a big bowl, add water to flour gradually. Mix and knead by hand to form soft dough, then cover it with towel and put it aside for about an hour. Then scatter some dry flour on the board, knead and roll it into a sausage---like dough about 5 centimeters in diameter, then chop it into small pieces. Press each piece with your hand and get a pancake. Finally, to hold the pancake with your palm and put the filling in the center and wrap into half-moon shaped and seal the edges. The next step is easy. Put the dumpling into boiling water, when it is well cooked, it is ready to be served. Before eating, you need to prepare some small dishes to contain the mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil or pepper oil [to your own taste. Ways of serving Ways of serving Chinese dumplings also vary from place to place. Generally, Chinese dumplings are boiled in clear water and served dry with vinegar, soy sauce, garlic or pepper oil if one likes them hot. In some parts of the Northeast China, however, dumplings are boiled in broth together with vermicelli made from bean starch, and served together. You can read more at Houston Chinatown Web Portal.

2005-09-25T16:08:00.000-07:00

This is the place to eat breakfast. Classic Kitchen located in Houston Chinatown has a lot of different kinds of the traditional Chinese breakfast such as the soy bean drink, egg pan cake and rice ball. Here is a tip: try to go there before 11am, otherwise you might have to wait for 30 minutes before you can get a table

2005-09-24T15:30:00.000-07:00

Chinese Culture

Traditional Chinese Clothing

A clatter and crash of drums and gongs sound at a theater of Chinese Opera in Taipei as a young warrior appears on stage in traditional Chinese costume. From his head ascend two tall plumes, tracing in the air each movement and gesture he makes. Some might think these plumes are simply ornamental, but in fact they originate in the battle wear of the Warring States period (475-221 B.C.). Two feathers of a ho bird (a kind of pheasant good at fighting) were inserted into the headwear of warriors of this period to symbolize a bold and warlike spirit, that that of the ho. An outstanding characteristic of traditional Chinese clothing is not only an external expression of elegance, but also an inter symbolism. Each and every piece of traditional clothing communicates a vitality of its own. This combination of external form with internal symbolism is clearly exemplified in the pair of fighting pheasant feathers used in headwear.
Objects found in archaeological remains of China's Shantingtung culture, which flourished over 18,000 years ago, such as bone sewing needles, and stone beads and shells with holes bored in them, attest to the existence of the concept of ornamentation and the craft of sewing already in that age. Variety and system in clothing were roughly established by the era of the Yellow Emperor and the Emperors Yao and Shaun (about 4,500 years ago). Remains of woven silk and help articles and ancient ceramic figures further demonstrate the sophistication and refinement of clothing in the Shang dynasty (16th to 11th century B.C.).
The three main types of traditional Chinese clothing are the pien-fu, the ch'ang-p'ao , or long robe, and the shen-i. The pien-fu is an ancient two-piece ceremonial costume, including a tunic-like top extending to the knees, and a skirt reaching to the ankles; one had to wear a skirt on certain occasions in order to be properly dressed. A pien is a cylindrical ceremonial cap. Typical of these three types of clothing, besides their wide cut and voluminous sleeves, were a design utilizing mainly straight lines, and a loose fit forming natural folds, regardless of whether the garment was allowed to hang straight or was bound with a sash at the waist. All types of traditional Chinese garments, whether tunic and trousers or tunic and skirt, unitized a minimum number of stitches for the amount of cloth used. And because of their relatively plain design and structure, embroidered edgings, decorated bands, draped cloth or silks, embellishment on the shoulders, and sashes were often added as ornamentation. These decorative bands, appliquéd borders, and richly varied embroidered designs came to be one of the unique features of traditional Chinese dress.
Darker colors were favored over lighter ones in traditional Chinese clothing, so the main color of ceremonial clothing tended to be dark, accented with elaborate embroidered or woven tapestry designs rendered in bright colors. Lighter colors were more frequently used by the common people in clothes for everyday and around the house. The Chinese associate certain colors with specific seasons, for example, green represents spring, red is for summer, white for autumn, and black for winter. The Chinese can be said to have a fully developed system of matching, coordinating, and contrasting colors and shades of light and dark in apparel.
Fashion designers today in the Taiwan are finding new ways to freely combine modern fashion aesthetics and trends with traditional Chinese symbols of good fortune. The great wealth of source material has resulted in a plethora of eye-catching designs for children's and young people's clothing, including guardian deities, lions, the eight trigrams, and masks of Chinese opera characters. Another more ancient source of printed, woven, embroidered, and appliquéd design for clothes is Chinese bronzes. Some of these distinctive and unusual designs include dragons, phoenixes, clouds, and lightning. Motifs from traditional Chinese painting, whether bold or refined, often find their way into woven or printed fashion designs, creating a beautiful and striking look.
Traditional Chinese macramé has broad applications in fashion; it may be used to ornament borders, shoulders, bodices, pockets, seams, and openings, as well as in belts, hair ornaments, and necklaces. Some successful examples of combinations of modern and traditional fashion elements are the modern bridal tiara, based on a Sung Dynasty design originally worn over a coiled coiffure; the Hunan Province style embroidered sash made in the traditional Chinese colors of pure red, blue, and green; and traditional sachets and pendants.
The ch'i-p'ao is a traditional Manchu design still popular today.
In modern Taiwan society, men are frequently seen at social occasions wearing the dignified and refined traditional Chinese long gown, Women often wear the ch'i-p'ao, a modified form of a traditional Ch'ing Dynasty fashion, on formal occasions. There are endless variations of height, length, width, and ornamentation in the collar, sleeves, skirt length, and basic cut of this elegant and very feminine Oriental fashion. From these examples, it can be seen how traditional Chinese dress is the spring of modern fashion.
In the wax museum of the Chinese Culture and Movie Center in Taipei, and at the Museum of Costume and Adornment of Shih Chien Home Economics College, you can see comprehensive and carefully researched collections of traditional Chinese men's and women's fashions from over the ages. A visit to one of these collections is both enjoyable and educational.
The people of Taiwan not only incorporate traditional Chinese dress into modern life; they have taken the silk making, spinning, and weaving techniques developed by the ancient Chinese a step further, and created modern textile industries around them. Through these industries, Taiwan residents can enjoy beautiful fashions with traditional features and modern chic.
Please visit Houston Chinatown for more information about Chinese heritage and culture.

Houston Chinatown Tapioca House

2005-09-07T09:21:00.000-07:00

This place is awesome. Houston Chinese Web Portal rated this place a 4 out of 5. It is a great place to hang out, get free wireless internet, and drink bubble tea. Go to www.chinatownconnection.com/restaurant.htm to view a complete review and see pictures of this place. You won't be disappointed.
Also if you go to www.chinatownconnection.com you will be able to see Houston Chinatown virtually on the internet. It is a very neat experience.

Chinese Moon Cake Festival

2005-09-05T15:22:00.000-07:00

Mooncakes earned their popularity during the Yuan Dynasty (1200 A.D.- 1368 A.D) when, as legends say, the Mongols who had established the Yuan Dynasty were too oppressive, and were overthrown by the Chinese with the help of this simple dessert. Since Mongols did not eat mooncakes, the Chinese took advantage of this cultural difference and planned a revolt against them. Leaders of the revolts distributed mooncakes, under the pretense of celebrating the emperor's longevity, to other Chinese people. The mooncakes held secret messages baked within the skin, informing people to revolt on the 15th of the 8th moon, also the Mid Autumn festival. The rebellion was successful and mooncakes were forever kept a national tradition of China. Go to www.chinatownconnection.com to view more of this story.

Star Snow Ice

2005-09-04T16:59:00.000-07:00

One of the many to come bubble tea stores to open in Houston Chinatown , Star Snow Ice is in a league of its own. The atmosphere is clean and relaxing. There is enough room for people to come in and play card games, talk, or do homework. Service is fast and reliable, with many employees taking orders and making drinks or shaved ice. Please visit www.chinatownconnection.com/restaurant.htm to view pictures and review.

Classic Kitchen

2005-09-02T17:39:00.000-07:00

Houston Chinese Bakeries

2005-09-01T16:35:00.000-07:00

Chinese bakeries carry pastries and sweet buns filled with delights such as red bean paste, egg custard, BBQ pork, or coconut cream. Families eat them on the run for breakfast, or to curb a midday snack attack. Hong Kong bakeries are known for their wide variety of baked and steamed buns, which may have been influenced by English high tea culture during British rule of the colony. Northern Chinese are known for their fluffy white buns, which may be served in place of rice during meals. In the US, we often see these white buns served with Peking Duck. Please visit Houston Chinese Restaurant to find bakeries.

Zake Chinese Japanese cuisine

2005-08-30T14:07:00.000-07:00

Houston Tapioca House

2005-08-30T07:48:00.000-07:00

Only thing to say about this place is Free Wireless Internet Access!! and great tasting bubble tea. Located in Houston Chinatown, this place beats the local Starbucks because bubble tea is cheaper, taste better, and they don't charge money to access the internet. The atmosphere is comfy and this place is great to have meetings or have a conversation.The Chinese food tastes great and bubble tea is excellent.

Chinese Dumplings

2005-08-29T21:10:00.000-07:00