Xun Xiang Ji 巡湘记 @ Shanghai

There are many choices of cuisine in Cloud Nine Mall in Changning District, Shanghai. So we are often spoiled for choice at meal time. Tonight, we decided to go for something spicy.

Hunan cuisine, also known as Xiang cuisine, consists of the cuisines of the Xiang River region, Dongting Lake and western Hunan Province in China. It is one of the Eight Great Traditions of Chinese cuisine and is well known for its hot and spicy flavours, fresh aroma and deep colours.

苗家蕨根粉 Miao Style Fern Root Powder

Miao people are the indigenous people of Zhangjiajie, a mountainous area (and very beautiful) area in Hunan where they shot the movie Avatar. And they have used the local ferns to create this powder to produce the fern root noodles. The texture is slippery and chewy, like a really al dente pasta crossed with chewing gum. The dressing is vinegar, chilli oil. garlic, sesame oil and other aromatics. Very delicious appetiser.

砂锅油豆角 Flat Bean Casserole

The flat bean has been wonderfully charred in the casserole with sliced pork belly, fresh chilli and garlic, seasoned with simply with soy sauce and yellow wine. Simple and great dish.

风味酸菜鱼 Sauerkraut Fish

This is a classic dish from Hunan. The sauerkraut fish has been prepared in almost the same way in different restaurants with different fish. The best so far I have eaten is from Tai Er, which specialises in sauerkraut fish. Their version is, in my opinion, too rich.

黄泥萝卜煨羊肉煲 Simmered Lamb Stew with Yellow Radish

I ate in this restaurant in the early spring but it was still cold outside. The best comfort food during this kind of cold weather is a casserole, and according to Chinese belief, radish and mutton are the best. The stew is beautiful, the radish has absorbed the sauce, and the mutton just fell off the bone.

And to end the meal, a refreshing roselle drink and yoghurt to soothe the heat.

This is a simple meal, with simple dishes that could come from any family kitchen in Hunan. Service was really poor given the stiff competition in Cloud Nine Mall. But it was good food that matters after all.

Xun Xiang Ji 巡湘记 (中山公园龙之梦店)
7th Floor Cloud Nine Mall, 1018 Changning Road, Shanghai
上海长宁区长宁路1018号龙之梦购物中心7楼
Tel： 021-32125717

Date Visited : Feb 2019