I just wanted to post this somewhere, hope it’s alright.

Backstory: so my friends and I played Dungeons & Dragons, and the DM introduced us to the idea of hotpot for mid-game meal. We all loved it, and it became THE way to meal from that day on for years and years. We all bring an ingredient or two, DM brings the pot, burner, scoops, tools, we all dive in.

So a few years ago I moved away to England, the gaming group still games and such, but I miss my hotpot, and plan to start a D&D group over here. Hotpot needed to return.

Upon deciding it, the set quickly built up, and I made a custom travel setup for it (my friend just hauled it all in an ikea bag lol, but I’m a crafty type) (note: skimmer tray was obtained after pics were taken).

And it. Is. Delicious again! By random chance, a store that specializes in Chinese hotpot is within walking distance, so we got some shemiji mushrooms, pak choi, udon, and the usuals. And OOOHHH I am so glad to have a setup of my own!

Just had to show it off somewhere, I love hotpot and have been missing it for years. The time of hotpot has returned!

Got these at a wet market in hong kong for my juvinile mbu pufferfish to snack on cause it helps his teeth. What recipes are they used for? Ive ever only seen them in one shop. Im gonna try cooking half and freezing the rest for the lil monster fish.

响油鳗
This is by far my favourite dish from the region. Trying to master it at home atm.

Something I found that's really nice but not traditionally in the recipe is a touch of green sichuanese pepper or Vine pepper ( teng pepper )

Man I love this dish!!!

Hi,

I was gifted 10 lbs of dried jujube and have no idea what to do with it. What are some recipes that I can use them in?

Hello all,

I am looking to buy a gift for my 65 year old Chinese PI. I am a graduate student who will graduating soon and would like to buy him a nice gift. I recently found out he only likes and drinks Chinese green tea from China. So I want to see if I can buy the premium good stuff.

There’s a problem! I have no idea what’s good, luxurious, or quality or where to buy it/order.

Please help! I asked ChatGPT and this is what I got but I’m not too sure.

🥇 Exceptional
狮峰山/翁家山** *明前头采*** *西湖龙井* (Shifeng/Wengjiashan Mingqian First Pick)
¥1,500–¥4,000+ / 125–250g (~$210–560+)
Core Shifeng terroir + earliest harvest; this is the category I’d call genuine luxury tea
China domestic sellers / specialty importer
👑 Ultra-luxury
卢正浩** *无双*** *明前精品/头采* *西湖龙井*
¥2,399 for just 20g; up to ¥17,999/150g
Extremely scarce, luxury-tier Longjing from a respected Hangzhou Longjing house
Lu Zhenghao official Chinese store
🥈 Luxury
卢正浩** *白鹤峰头采*** *西湖龙井*
¥6,580 / 150g (~$920)
Named West Lake terroir + first harvest
Lu Zhenghao official store
🥉 Luxury
贡牌** *天赐珍品*** *狮峰头采* *西湖龙井*
roughly $600+ / 50g from US-accessible importer
Gongpai is a major traditional West Lake Longjing producer; very high grade
Available China-direct to US

https://youtube.com/@dylan?si=gz0XIavbfZe5Lw_Q

I am not craving and drooling over so many spicy/chili pepper dishes, I want to try hainan chicken, it looked so bland but it looks to be delicious, mannnn