Fun Playing With Lunar New Year Food in Cleveland Asiatown

The Year of the Snake began on February 9, 2013, and in many Asian communities, people are still celebrating. We were fortunate to attend several events that fed our souls and our bellies in connection with Lunar New Year, beginning at the newest Asian shopping center in Cleveland - Asian Town Center. We visited the Center on the second of their two day New Year party. Arriving early and hungry, we began with some Vietnamese treats at Pho 99. All three of these dishes were new to us.

Banh Bot Loc (Vietnamese Ravioli, Pork/Shrimp), Dipping Sauce

There are few things in life that make me happier than chewy dumplings, and these steamed banh bot loc really delivered! The fried shallot garnish added just a bit of crunch, and the dipping sauce a hint of spice.

Banh Beo (Steamed Rice Cakes Topped With Egg and Scallion), with dipping sauce 

These little rice cakes are very similar to the Chinese ningko, but were a little softer. The topping tasted like scrambled egg yolks, with scallions and a slightly salty seasoning powder. The dipping sauce served on the side was very similar to the sauce served with the banh bot loc; indeed, all three cups of dipping sauce were very similar. 

Banh it Tran (Boiled Dumpling Stuffed with Shrimp and Pork) with Dipping Sauce

This dumpling was chewy, yet in a completely different way from the banh bot loc, which was a stiffer dough. Though the fillings were similar, the different skins made for a different tasting experience for each.

In addition to enjoying these delicious bites, we couldn't help but get suckered in by the cheesy kung fu comedy movie playing in the almost empty restaurant on the big screen TV. The film, in Mandarin (with English subtitles), was called Shaolin Soccer. I started paying attention when the plot turned to Mui (Vicki Zhao), a female baker with severe acne who uses T'ai chi to make mantou (dumplings). After watching her special-effect-aided dumpling prowess (think Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon-special effect martial arts, with dumpling dough), we couldn't wait to tuck into the above goodies. As much as Bob was getting lost in the film, though, it was almost time for the Kwan Family Lion Dance in the center of the plaza, so we missed the ending. I'm sure the good guys won. 

Heading to the performance area, we caught the end of the classical music presentation, followed by Japanese drumming by Mame Daiko, then finally the Kwan Family Lion Dance.

As always, the Kwan Family Lion Dance entranced the crowd; hopefully, it would usher in good luck for the New Year. Too busy feeding the lion to take pictures! We finished our celebration at Asia Town Center with a visit to Asia Food Company, to shop for produce and pantry staples.

Pho 99 is definitely worth a visit, whether to sample soup, sandwich (neither of which we got to try, but we'll be back!), dumplings, or full on entrees of Vietnamese specialties. Also of note is that they deliver to downtown with a $2 delivery charge and a minimum order, and have plenty of free parking at the Center, located at 3820 Superior Avenue, 44114, (216) 586-6969. Note that they are closed on Wednesday.

We had great fun playing with Asian New Year's treats at Pho 99 and dancing with the Kwan Lion! Gong Xi Fa Tsai (Happy New Year)!

Fun Playing With Lions and Dim Sum at Li Wah

It was my own darn fault that Chinese New Year began Monday January 26 and I had not gathered a group and made arrangements to participate in a Lion Dance. I was too pre-occupied with my trip to Florida, and had simply neglected to track down the local options until after the holiday had already started. C&Y Restaurant, the venue for our CNY celebration last year, closed several months ago. Lion dances at smaller venues were already sold out. And it was Thursday, January 29. What to do?

My friend Stuart came to the rescue with this blog post about Chinese New Year in Cleveland. The links took me to Cleveland Magazine's Blog (which I didn't know existed) and this story about the Kwan family, which is the last remaining martial arts troop performing Lion Dance in Cleveland. Turned out that Li Wah Restaurant would be having a Lion Dance today at 11am! Though it was too late to round up any dining companions, we decided to head to Li Wah this morning.

We arrived at Asia Plaza a little after 10am. I'm ashamed to admit that I hadn't been there in a very long time. After Tink Holl Grocery moved out and C&Y re-opened - I just hadn't had the opportunity or need to go to Asia Plaza. And since Wonton Gourmet opened right around the time that C&Y closed - I still hadn't made it my business to check out the Plaza. Honestly, the quality of the food at Li Wah had seemed in decline the last few times I had eaten there, so it wasn't at the the top of my list anymore.

We arrived a little after 10am - the restaurant was still fairly empty, so we walked around a little before entering the restaurant. Asia Plaza has been expanded to connect with Park to Shop Grocery; there is a lot of empty space for rent. Li Wah, however, had extra tables and chairs outside the restaurant to accommodate the New Year's crowd. The Kwans would do a second Lion Dance in the Plaza at their end, after finishing the performance inside the restaurant proper.

Today's Dim Sum was an extremely pleasant and delicious surprise. Li Wah is back to the top of its Dim Sum game, and I am delighted.


New Year's Altar at the Restaurant Entrance


Located to the Right of the Entrance - What An Introduction!

The BBQ meat stand is where the fish tanks used to be. It really has been too long since I've been to Li Wah!



We were seated at a deuce very near to the kitchen. This is the ideal location for a dim sum lover to be seated!



These condiment holders were new (to me). A pleasure to have hot chile oil right on the table!




The Lettuce Awaits The Festivities

Service was still in its early stages, which was fine with us. We were in no hurry - it is almost a cruelty for two people to go to Dim Sum and to have no one else to share the dishes with! Every dish we were served was piping hot and delicious.


Shrimp Stuffed Bean Curd Roll





Even this big piece of shrimp did not suffer from chemically tastes - well done!


Pork and 1000 Year Old Egg Congee

I actually took this shot after we had put some in our bowls and tasted - we were that hungry! This was very good, especially with a little shot of chile oil.






Steam BBQ Pork Buns





Scrumptious!


Sticky Rice Wrapped in Lotus Leaf





We very much enjoyed these, and they were expertly prepared. My only complaint was the filling - there was one piece each of BBQ pork and lap cheong (Chinese Sausage), and no duck or quail egg. Had we been eating with a group and divided each dumpling up - no one would have gotten a bite of both BBQ pork and lap cheong.


Shrimp Stuffed Eggplant



Again, sitting near the kitchen has its advantages! We snagged these from a tray before it even got to a cart. Piping hot, the shrimpy part of the filling was crispy and the eggplant creamy - a perfectly balanced dumpling. I've eaten this many times, and I think this version rated as the best.


????

The server who came around with these was thrilled that we "enjoy the good Dim Sums" and that we were willing to try these even though we had no idea what they were. Phonetically, she explained that they are called tieng bien. Substantively, think Fun Gwoh dough on steriods.



I would have liked to break this up and show you the middle - but the fabulously gloppy noodle would have none of it! As I nibbled in, I determined that there was an extremely gentle kiss of orange and/or orange zest at the center of the dumpling. If anyone can correct my spelling of this item, and/or give me a proper translation of it, I'd greatly appreciate it. Sigh - feed me gloppy noodles any day and I am a happy girl.


Vegetable Dumpling

This of course is the wheat starch-tapioca starch wrapper used for Fun Gwoh. It becomes a bit translucent when steamed.





I loved these dumplings, though I thought the filling was a little skimpy.


Stuffed Taro Dumpling

By the time a spied this plate on a cart - we were really too full to eat. But we had already decided to have our leftovers for breakfast tomorrow, together with an order of the BBQ meats we had seen at the entrance, but which we were way to full to consider eating.



We split one Taro Dumpling between us - and it was fresh, hot, crispy and creamy.


Roast Pork With Crispy Skin

Bob was done - he just looked helplessly at the plate.



I managed to taste one bite of skin (heavenly!) and one of meat with the dipping sauce. I was surprised that this was a cold dish (the better for us to eat as a leftover tomorrow); it was fabulous, right down to the slightly sweet dipping sauce.

By now, the show was gearing up - and the head of lettuce fell down! Bob wanted to recommend Duct Tape - but the manager managed to get it back where it belonged:



Gong Xi! Gong Xi!




Feeding Lucky Money Envelopes to the Lion for Good Luck!


The Lion Wags His Tail in Appreciation


Oh well - we were on the correct side to get dishes right out of the kitchen


The Lion Minces the Lettuce and Rains Prosperity on Us All for the Coming Year

I took a few more food photos as we waited for our check.


Stir Fry Cart

Though I really don't care for mussels - this smelled awfully good!


Fry Cart

Turnip Cake, Taro Cake and Fried Rice Noodles. Sorry, I am spoiled by Wonton Gourmet's turnip cake. But I would have taken an order of "Turtles" if they'd had them - the round Fun Gwoh dumpling stuffed with chives.



This was on the soup cart, which had four containers. Even though we took the Jook, the cart lady started to lift the lid on this, then stopped and I didn't think I cared because any one item from the soup cart is more than enough for two people. So - what is this??



My best guess is beef tendon soup with hardcooked eggs - but if anyone knows, I'd like to know. I think I will try this next time we visit Li Wah.

I promise that I will not wait nearly so long to return to Li Wah for Dim Sum. I am so pleased that we here in Cleveland still have a first class Dim Sum house, and I had great fun playing with my food and sucking up some of that Lion Dance good luck!

And in this New Year - don't forget to lequ wannong yong shiwu (play with your food)!

樂趣演奏用食物 for Chinese New Year

Though I am not Chinese, I am a huge fan of Chinese food and culture. Every year about this time, as the Lunar New Year approaches, I make certain to attend at least one Lion Dance. The legend says that if one attends a Lion Dance and feeds Lucky Money to the Lion, it drives away evil spirits and brings you good luck. Well, I will take all of the luck that I can get!

So last night, we attended a Chinese New Year celebration at C&Y Restaurant. Now, my report on the food and festivities must be tempered by the reality that even the venerable Li Wah did not do a formal CNY banquet this year, because, as reported in the local paper, they have not been well attended in recent years. There is always the tension in Cleveland's Asiatown restaurants between serving the Asian community, and the non-Asian community, which often have different expectations of the food. Add to that C&Y's role as the "Christmas Story Museum" restaurant, and you can understand how many different expectations they are trying to satisfy.

C&Y this night offered only a "set" menu (bad sign - no Chinese characters on it). I asked about ordering off the regular menu, and was told I could not. Meanwhile, I noticed several tables that had Asian patrons and were allowed to order off of the menu. The table to my left had a fabulous feast - had not two of our guests been relatively non-adventurous, I would have told the waiter "we'll have what they are having".

This brings to mind the recent New York Times article about "Authentic Chinese" versus Americanized. As it turned out, I must say that the Americanized Chinese food that we were limited to was very enjoyable, if a bit too sweet for my taste. I just wish it had been my choice! And, we were served a lot of food for $20 a person, and for a lot of people, that is the most important consideration. We saw a lot of non-Asian families very happily consuming their meals. So, understand that my comments below are not intended as criticism of C&Y, but simply a reaction to the reality that I did not get to have any authentic Chinese dishes with my Lion Dance at Chinese New Year this year, which is something I would have liked.

The Lion Dance was just wonderful! It's kind of like a Seder - even though you know it by heart and the routine is always the same - it still brings fun and excitement.

C&Y is currently my favorite Asiatown restaurant, largely because of their wonderful dim sum. We started with a party of nine, but three people had to cancel. Bob and I slowly worked our way along the snowy, icy roadways to pick up his two friends who don't drive. He thought our reservation was for 6pm when it was actually for 6:30pm, so we were very early. Oh well - lots of time to kill - why not drink?

When we visited China in 1999, we sampled lots of Chinese beer and liquor, but no wine that I can recall. So when I saw that C&Y had real Chinese Rice Wine, I just had to try it. The stuff that is sold in the Asian grocery stores is loaded with extra salt, to comply with legalities concerning retailing of alcoholic products without a license. And it is inferior tasting anyway.

So - given the opportunity to try real Shaohsing Rice Wine - we ordered a bottle:







It is, without question, an acquired taste. With a strong scent of rice, and an almost sherry-like consistency and flavor (dry sherry - there was no sweetness), it leaves a long aftertaste at the back of the throat. I actually preferred the aftertaste to the "foretaste", partially due to the strong smell. Having tasted this wine, though, I finally understand why, in Chinese cooking, there is no true substitute for it - it is distinctly different from American sherry, and far superior to the Shaohsing Wine sold in the Asian groceries. We did take a lot of it home, but it will not go to waste!

So - time to lequ wannong yong shiwu (play with your food)!


The Ubiquitous Chicken Corn Soup (Shantung)

We were warned before we journeyed to China 9 years ago that we would be fed a constant diet of this soup, and the warning was true! It tastes good, however, so I can't really complain. But C&Y makes so many more interesting soups!

Next, 2 platters of appetizers were brought to the table:


"Oyster Spring Roll"

I didn't taste any oyster in these sizzling hot and crispy morsels, but I did taste mushroom - perhaps they meant "Oyster Mushroom"?? Despite the pedestrian nature of the rolls - they were exquisitely fresh.


BBQ Sparerib

And now, the parade of overly sweet sauces began. But again, I must point out - these ribs tasted good! The meat was perfectly cooked, and the BBQ flavor wasn't totally overwhelmed by the sweet.

Time for the entrees:


Steak with Black Pepper Sauce and Asparagus

Hong Kong style Black Pepper Sauce is a favorite of mine - I almost don't care what they put it on! This was a very tasty treatment of that favorite.


Imperial Chicken

A spicy chicken stir fry, with lots of garlic. It was tasty.


Fried Flounder Filet

From the description, we expected this to be a whole filet, and not "fish nuggets". The fish was exquisitely fresh, and there were some small shrimp in there, too. The sauce had some heat - but again, suffered from too much sweet and goo.


Corned Beef Fried Rice

This fried rice had no meat or seafood that I could detect. It was the one dish I found unpalatable - I am very fussy about fried rice after eating it in China. In fact, the only place in Cleveland that has ever served me fried rice worth eating is Siam Cafe. So I asked the server for a small bowl of white rice, which he brought.


Szechuan Style Eggplant

This dish was expertly prepared, and tasty.


Honey-Pepper Fried Pork Chop



This is as Americanized as Chinese food gets - but notwithstanding the overly sweet sauce - it was a fine hunk of pork and very tasty. Mine even had a bone - anathema for the Western diner, but expected by the Eastern diner.


Jumbo Spicy Shrimp

To be fair - even the dishes served to the tables that were allowed to order off the menu had American broccoli on them. And the simple steamed vegetable was refreshing after the deep fried and heavily sauced items we'd already eaten. The shrimp was ok, for frozen shrimp, redolent of pepper. Still - I'd have rather have had the lobster that the next table got!

As Chinese New Year dinners go, I really missed the noodle course and whole steamed fish and Jellyfish, and I was surprised to see that the fresh fish/seafood tanks were nearly empty, with just a few finfish and no shellfish. But the main attraction tonight was the Lion Dance, and the Kwans have brought in all generations of their family to keep this tradition alive in Cleveland.


Gong xi fa cai, Mr. Lion!


Making Him Work For It

The lady toying with the Lion's Lucky Money envelope, and her table, were the lucky recipients of the authentic Chinese meal I've been mentioning.


Drums and Cymbals Provide the Backdrop


The Youngest Generations Participate

I only caught the back of the baby Lion - its appearance was very brief!


Lettuce and Two Oranges, Lucky Money Envelope

The final portion of the ritual has the Lion struggling and climbing to take down the oranges, which represent wealth (gold), which he then throws to lucky audience members. It is good luck to catch an orange thrown by the Lion. The Lion then chews up the lettuce, which represents money, and showers it down on the audience (well, not really) to bring them money in the New Year.






The Lion Takes a Bow and Well Deserved Rest

All in all, despite the treacherous weather and the limited menu, we had a wonderful time welcoming the Lunar New Year with a table of good friends, C&Y Restaurant and the Kwans.