Clarissa Wei
Clarissa Wei is a freelance journalist who writes about food systems and minority cultures. She has researched extensively on the topics of Chinese food and sustainable agriculture and is a certified permaculture designer.
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Mapo tofu is a classic Sichuan dish. It's soft tofu cubes, swimming in a wonderful sauce of garlic-infused chili and ground pork. The secret ingredient is the Sichuan peppercorn -- a spice that will numb your tongue and produce a citrusy after-taste.
These sweet rice balls are the hallmark dessert of Chinese New Year. They're the sugary equivalent of a dumpling, often infused with black sesame, red bean, or grounded peanuts.
The four major Chinese cuisines, and where to sample them in Los Angeles.
For those with a sweet tooth, here are five appropriate desserts for your Chinese New Year feasts.
Burma, located in Southeast Asia, has a distinctive cuisine that has been influenced by local minorities, and neighbors Thailand, India, and China.
Roots CSA is dedicated to bringing fresh, Asian vegetables to the traditionally Asian communities of Southern California.
The origins of the dish known as "tongue-numbing fragrant pot," and where to get in L.A. County.
Sushi was initially a fast food item, meant to be eaten quickly -- goodness how it's changed over the centuries!
Christmas at a Chinese restaurant has become something of a tradition among Americans who don't much care about Christmas. But of course, none of us would turn up our nose at an excuse to feast!
Ponche is a traditional tropical-fruit punch specific to Mexico and served during the holiday season. It's akin to warm apple cider, but the flavors are much more complex.
Xinjiang is an autonomous region in China and is the home of multiple ethnic groups, including the Uyghurs and Mongols. There's a significant Muslim population, so restaurateurs tend to abide to halal standards, omitting pork from their menus.
Unlike more obscure categories of Chinese food, dim sum is a well-known tradition throughout Los Angeles. The reason is obvious: the food is easy to love.