Inner Mongolia: The Experience (2): Qi Qian, The Last Frontier

The most memorable place I went this trip is arguably a tiny town called Qi Qian (奇乾).  It is a border town next to Russia (we were told we may get shot if we try to go into the water) and there are only six households (including one household of livestock).

Inner Mongolia: The Experience (1): Life of the Nomads

I know I won't have the time or luxury to post my full experience from my recent (?) trip to Inner Mongolia on my blog anymore.  But it would be a shame if I don't share with you the highlights of the trip...

Initially, I was really just going to do one post.
Looking back at the pictures make me immediately realize that is just impossible.
There are too many memories and stories to share.

The Delta Grill

Having spent a good number of years living in the south, I love and missed comfort food, despite the calories.  In fact, I have been craving some good chicken fried steak/chicken loaded with gravy, beef briskets, fried okras, corn bread, and peach cobblers for some time.

Since I know I can't find any good southern restaurant in Chicago, I searched long and hard for a good one as a parting meal before I leave NYC.  (Unfortunately, I have no business in the south this trip.)  And that's the back-story of how I ended up at The Delta Grill.

Kung Fu Little Steamed Buns Ramen

100K total page views!  wow!  Most of you are probably like... "meh~ what took you so long?" oh well, the number still mean something special to me.  :)  Anyways, 2 more posts and I am done with NYC.  I know I am moving in a snail pace but at least I am moving.  Let me know if you prefer (1) fix the damn broken links from my past popular posts or (2) start writing the wonderful food adventures I had to date in 2014.

Kung Fu was almost brand new and a surprise favorite for this trip.  In fact, I liked it so much I did a real-time review on Yelp!  Hopefully they are still doing well 6 months since their opening :)  This little place has a lot of potential and is definitely better than Joe Shanghai in my opinion.

Totto Ramen

I was here on Boxing Day (correction: it was actually Christmas Day) 2013.  The sign-up sheet fooled me... There was only 6 groups before me when I signed myself up so I thought, "Ok, I can handle this".  I found out much later what really happened was the lady took the full page of sign up sheet with her shortly before we arrived... If I had known earlier, I would have gone somewhere else nearby.

"The ramen better be out of this world."  I thought to myself while I was waiting and freezing on the streets... 

The Halal Guys

It's a myth that good food is always expensive.  For USD$6, you can get a delicious meal that's enough to feed two.

Go early or expect a line!  They are very efficient so even if the lines are long, you never have to wait too long.  The white sauce is delicious and the red sauce is ridiculously hot! (Ask for the sauce on the side)  I also prefer the chicken over the lamb.