#ChineseFoodiesofIG: Mei Zhang of Wild China Travel

Mei Zhang of Wild China Travel

This is part of an ongoing series of interviews I’m doing with my favourite Chinese foodies that I follow on Instagram. Come and follow the #ChineseFoodiesofIG hashtag on Instagram and leave a comment showing your support for these talented folk!

Where are you from? Where are you really from?

I am from Dali, Yunnan, China. Also known as the most beautiful place in China with the best food, by my definition 😋).

What does home taste like?

Pear blossoms in spring, foraged wild mushroom in summer, persimmons and walnuts in the fall, cured ham and spicy sausages in winter, rice noodle soups year round.

Share a food memory:

Food prep was grandma’s job. She’d sit on a tiny low stool, picking off the tenderest part of pea vines, or peeling off the layers of fava bean jackets, all while telling me a ghost story.

What’s in your fridge?

A jar of fermented rice wine (酒酿), a jar of pickled mustard green fried with minced pork (for my noodles), Cow Girl Creamery triple cream cheese, and lots of greens from the farmer’s market.

A Chinese recipe everyone should learn:

Stir-fried broccoli and noodle soup.

Who's your Chinese food legend?

My aunt - Zhang Xinxian. She turns everything into delicacy. Her chili paste would put Laoganma to shame, but she only cooks for family.

Ultimate comfort food:

Yunnan Small Pot Rice Noodle Soup (云南小锅米线).

Dream dinner party guests:

My dad, aunt, husband, kids, brothers (but they can’t smoke at the table), and my late grandma, late mom and late elder aunt.

What does Chinese food mean to you?

Chinese food is all about the family eating together and sharing. The biggest blessing in life is to have plenty to share.