[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]There is one common type of Chinese restaurant in many Western countries, particularly in the Chinatown areas of many major cities: cha cha’an teng. A “cha cha’an teng”, known as Hong-Kong-styled restaurants, which has a diverse menu with items like dim sum, congee, noodles, roasts, barbecue meats, baked goods and, of course, drinks. So, basically, a cha cha’an teng sells almost everything.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/3″ style=”padding: 0px;”] [/cs_column][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/3″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_image type=”none” src=”https://supcz.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/xizuo1.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/cs_column][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/3″ style=”padding: 0px;”] [/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]If you are looking for a cha cha’an teng with grown-up cook at knock-down prices, well known and most going among Changzhounese, don’t miss this restaurant: Xi Zuo (xi3 zuo4, 禧座). Why Xi Zuo? Because it is just like a typical restaurant that Marina O’Loughlin (the restaurant critic for Guardian Weekend magazine) defines as his favorite: “independently owned, not too much money spent on trend-bothering design. Perhaps there’s a chef-owner in the kitchen with partner out front, a team that concentrates on making you, the customer, happy.” Xi Zuo fits every element above. Unlike other Cha cha’an teng, you won’t see any naked ducks, chickens or meats hanging in front of you. Yuck! Well, it is just a tiny and cozy restaurant with only 16 seats and makes you comfy.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/3″ style=”padding: 0px;”] [/cs_column][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/3″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_image type=”none” src=”https://supcz.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/xizuo2.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/cs_column][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/3″ style=”padding: 0px;”] [/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]Mr. Zheng, Cantonese, the owner and chef who learned his cooking skills in Hong Kong, is quite good at making dim sum, Chow Fun (known as the rice flour rolls), and chicken feet (we will talk about this dish later). The boss makes dim sum by himself, which are quite different from those you can buy in supermarkets. When customers sit down, a light, weak tea will be served as soon as possible. Some choose to use this to clean their utensils, but really it’s for drinking. Different from many restaurants, people order food in Weixin by scanning a QR Code on a table, yep, e-menu. But every dish has a photo on the left, perfect.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/3″ style=”padding: 0px;”] [/cs_column][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/3″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_image type=”none” src=”https://supcz.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/xizuo3.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/cs_column][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/3″ style=”padding: 0px;”] [/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_custom_headline level=”h4″ looks_like=”h5″ accent=”false”]The top three dishes in Xi Zuo are: [/x_custom_headline][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/3″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text][x_custom_headline level=”h5″ looks_like=”h6″ accent=”false”]The Steamed Shrimp Dumplings (known as Har Gow 水晶虾饺 shui3 jing1 xia1 jiao3)[/x_custom_headline][cs_text]The translucent skin that is soft and thin encases some really plump and fresh prawns. This dish will set you back 22rmb.
[/cs_text][/cs_column][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/3″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text][x_custom_headline level=”h5″ looks_like=”h6″ accent=”false”]Deep-Fried Dough Sticks Shrimp (手抓油条虾 shou3 zhua1 you2 tiao2 xia1)[/x_custom_headline][cs_text]The dish was always a thing of wonder, crunchy and soft, salty and savory, not fishy at all. The first time I went there and asked how the dish tasted, a total stranger sitting next to me strongly recommended it, and it really feels like a good value.[/cs_text][/cs_column][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/3″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text][x_custom_headline level=”h5″ looks_like=”h6″ accent=”false”]The black bean chicken feet (豉汁凤爪 chi1 zhi1 feng4 zhua3)[/x_custom_headline][cs_text]
Actually, the black bean chicken feet (豉汁凤爪.chi1 zhi1 feng4 zhua3) is the most-ordered dish in Xi Zuo, despite being a controversial dish most expats will never try. However, it is quite tasty and a bit spicy, so tender that it just melts in your mouth. BTW, the dish of simmered pig feet (卤猪脚, lu3 zhu1 jiao3) is also famous in Xi Zuo. One of the outstanding dishes that really made my impression was the Rice Flour Roll with beef Spring Rolls (Chow Fun, 肠粉, chang2 fen3), delicate, soft and thin while the comminuted beef were perfectly matched and they offer vegetarian Chow Fun as well.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_line style=”border-top-width: 1px;”][cs_text]Xi Zuo produces the combination and creation of traditional cha cha’an teng dishes with Changzhou style. For instance, Barbecued Pork with Tea Flavor (茶香叉烧肉，cha2 xiang1 cha1 shao1 rou4), a traditional Hong Kong style Barbecued Pork which is meaty and a bit oily, but you can actually savor the flavor of tea: fresh, elegant and delicate. Also, Fruit Roasted Duck (果木烤鸭, guo3 mu4 kao3 ya1) is similar dish, but with a taste of fruit. Tofu Pudding (豆花, dou4 hua1) is also a yum dish worth trying, and they serve it in two type of tastes: sweet or savory. My personal favorite is savory tofu pudding, with a dice of spring onion, added to make you feel good about yourself. If you still have a good appetite, congee with pork and preserved egg (皮蛋瘦肉粥, pi2 dan4 shou4 rou4 zhou1) or wonton noodle (云吞面, yun2 tun1 mian4) could be a great choice.
[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_custom_headline level=”h3″ looks_like=”h4″ accent=”true” class=”cs-ta-center”]FYI[/x_custom_headline][x_feature_list animation_offset=”50″ animation_delay_initial=”0″ animation_delay_between=”300″][x_feature_box title=”” title_color=”” text_color=”” graphic=”icon” graphic_size=”60px” graphic_shape=”circle” graphic_color=”#ffffff” graphic_bg_color=”hsl(0, 2%, 42%)” align_h=”left” align_v=”middle” side_graphic_spacing=”20px” max_width=”none” child=”true” connector_width=”2px” connector_style=”dotted” connector_color=”#272727″ graphic_icon=”info-circle” graphic_animation=”jello”]Avoid going between 11:30am and 12:30pm, and between 5:30pm and 6:30pm, otherwise you need to queue up for about 15 to 30 minutes.[/x_feature_box][x_feature_box title=”” title_color=”” text_color=”” graphic=”icon” graphic_size=”60px” graphic_shape=”hexagon” graphic_color=”#ffffff” graphic_bg_color=”hsl(0, 0%, 30%)” align_h=”left” align_v=”middle” side_graphic_spacing=”20px” max_width=”none” child=”true” connector_width=”2px” connector_style=”dotted” connector_color=”#272727″ graphic_icon=”info-circle” graphic_animation=”jello”]You’d better finish your food as quickly as possible. People are waiting for your seats.[/x_feature_box][x_feature_box title=”” title_color=”” text_color=”” graphic=”icon” graphic_size=”60px” graphic_shape=”square” graphic_color=”#ffffff” graphic_bg_color=”hsl(0, 0%, 14%)” align_h=”left” align_v=”middle” side_graphic_spacing=”20px” max_width=”none” child=”true” connector_width=”2px” connector_style=”dotted” connector_color=”#272727″ graphic_icon=”info-circle” graphic_animation=”jello”]Staff may ask whether you mind sharing a table or not. Feel free to say if you mind, but sharing a table might be quite an interesting experience, you never know.[/x_feature_box][/x_feature_list][x_line style=”border-top-width: 1px;”][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/2″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]Address:
- No. 123, Xin Chen Jin Jun Hua Yuan, Tianning District
- No. 7 Da Du He Lu, Xinbei District
[/cs_text][/cs_column][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/2″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]地址：
- 天宁区新城金郡花园123号
- 新北区大渡河路7号
[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_line style=”border-top-width: 1px;”][cs_text class=”cs-ta-center”]Article by Kirstin Lu[/cs_text][x_share title=”Share this Post” share_title=”” facebook=”true” twitter=”false” google_plus=”false” linkedin=”true” pinterest=”false” reddit=”false” email=”true” email_subject=”Hey, thought you might enjoy this! Check it out when you have a chance:”][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]
