CITY GUIDE >Photo
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CITY GUIDE >Photo
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Harmony is precious
(bestfoodinchina)
Updated: 2008-07-03 11:04
A visit to Royal MeiWeiZhen is to experience the food, etiquette, art, and the cultural aesthetics of historically traditional imperial dining. The Chinese culture and philosophy reflected in an emperor's diet was "harmony is precious". Incredibly diverse, scientifically balanced and nutritious, of the finest and freshest quality, meals were designed to improve the health of the emperor following strict rules and rites. Medicinal properties of the primarily Qing Dynasty dietetic culture remain a part of Chinese dietetic culture in general. Imperial meals in the Qing Palace were dominated by the Manchu cuisine but included Han dishes and dishes cooked in both the northern and southern styles. What Chinese eat today is mostly a continuation of Qing Dynasty food culture. Indeed, Royal MeiWeiZhen continues to identify and improve traditional imperial Chinese cuisine using modern food processing technology with gift boxes of certified high quality dried fresh fruit, Shark's Fin and Buddha Jumps Over The Wall. Integrity continues in the elegant, antique decor of the restaurant, with its carvings, ceramics, marble tables and dark brown lacquered chairs and furniture. The waitresses wear classic Qing dress wear: simple silk tunics, silk scarves and fan shaped hats. And, gold everywhere. The color gold was reserved for the imperial elite; common people were forbidden its use. The restaurant seats 150 customers: 70% of who are Chinese and 30% foreigners. The Royal is an upscale restaurant, so expect to spend RMB per person. Our dinner began with Tea Tao, or a tea ceremony, by an English speaking host... Space limits a lengthy description. An internet search on some of the key words I use will give readers a better idea of what it is all about. Royal uses the highly regarded Tie Guan Yin tea, originally from the Fujian Provence, a premier Chinese oolong (or black dragon) tea. Its name (common with Chinese food) comes from a legend involving the goddess of mercy Guan Yin, translating to Iron Buddha or Iron Bodhisattva. The ceremony is intended to show respect, honor or thanks as a distinctly social intercourse. We sampled several dishes including pieces of pork loin breaded with cornstarch, deep fried, then sauteed in a light sweet/sour sauce. The breading remained crispy even after it had cooled. A plate of julienned mushrooms deep fried with ginger, garlic and spring onion, looking like a serving of eel, showing the often seen, fun-loving Chinese penchant for disguising the appearance of dishes in a clever way. It was decorated with a fanciful carved dragon carrot figure, the golden totem of the "son of God". Both were delicious without a hint of oiliness. Outstanding was a bowl of Buddha Jumps over the Wall. Yes, there is yet another amusing legend behind the name, but readers can do the research. Using about twenty delicacies, such as shark's fin, scallops, sea cucumbers, egg, chicken and abalone, ect. this dish is stewed for three days and nights, without MSG, salt or oil. The result was a rich broth brimming with treasures. For desert, we had homemade yogurt topped with the Royal's signature dried fruit: a strawberry, banana slices and cubed apple. The dried strawberry was the intensely flavorful filling in a bite sized pastry called a kidney bean roll, really more like a cookie. Mung bean was the main ingredient in two deserts: bite sized cubes of mung bean cake, a gluttonous and not too sweet treat, and a cold cup of mung bean soup, with the green outer skin removed leaving only the white inner kernels (it tasted similar to a split pea soup). Their version of Empress Cixi's favorite treat was a sesame topped bun filled with finely diced meat and looking the entire world like a miniature, hamburger-edible in one bite if you’re feeling greedy. Experience a culinary tradition that goes back hundreds of years in royal environs at MeiWeiZhen. The Royal Restaurant (Mei Wei Zhen) Address B: No.48 South Side Xihai Xicheng District, Beijing |
