Chinese food that isn't cooked with oil?

[Chinadoog]

Hey guys,

I've realized that everything I eat here in China is made with oil. Apparently it's common knowledge that almost every resturaunt uses that disgusting ''地沟油，‘’ so I'm looking for some types of food that I can buy here in resturaunts or from street vendors that is oil-free.

Any suggestions?

Also, how long have people been using that re-used 地沟油 here in China? Is it a recent phenomenon, or something that's been going on for decades?

[anonymoose]

水饺

[skylee]

饅頭

[fanglu]

Soup

[xiaocai]

白粥。

[skylee]

A simple meal - 白粥 + 皮蛋 + 酸薑 / 鹹菜 + 饅頭

[xiaocai]

Now that makes me hungry at work...

[Chinadoog]

I'm pretty sure that the filling used in dumplings has oil in it

[xiaocai]

There is fat in meat, however lean it is...

[roddy]

I suspect, and hope, that 'common knowledge' is perhaps closer to 'urban myth' here. Sure, it will be happening, but 'almost every' restaurant seems a bit scare-mongery. Really hope I'm right . . .

[Brian US]

If you can, cook at home. Nonstick pan and a little water should do the trick.

[abcdefg]

Several viable options in Kunming that may also work for you up there in Shandong:

1. Boiled food. They usually call it 汤菜 here. Select your vegetables, tofu, meat, quail eggs and so on. They put them in a basket and cook them in broth. They cut them up and serve them with a spicy sauce. Also sometimes called 涮菜， depending on location.

2. BBQ. 烧烤 is popular here. Meat, tofu, vegetables on skewers. Sometimes basted with a spicy sauce.

3. If you are with several friends, go for hot pot. 火锅。

If I remember right you are in Yantai. When I was there last summer, I had lots of seafood plus hearty fish soups and shellfish chowders.

[Chinadoog]

Did you try the local worms/cocoons? aka 蛹 hehe.

[cui ruide]

3. If you are with several friends, go for hot pot. 火锅。

Accord to what I heard, hot pot is the worst for the re-used oil problem. It was said that there's not much fiscal sense for most restaurants to buy the re-used oil except for hot pot places, which go through so much of it (apparently the brought is full of it).

Anyone else hear something like this?

[gato]

I heard it's the worst for 水煮鱼 (oil-boiled fish).

[abcdefg]

Did you try the local worms/cocoons? aka 蛹 hehe.

I've actually tried a few, but I don't think they will ever be among my favorite foods, though the crispy ones are not too bad.

Accord to what I heard, hot pot is the worst for the re-used oil problem.

That could be right. I had thought it was just broth or stock plus seasonings, but it's certainly possible that the boiling liquid contains concealed grease. I'll ask a Chongqing friend.

[Chinadoog]

One of my Chinese friends said that there's a lot of chemicals in hotpot? Atleast that's what I think she said..

[Yang Rui]

I don't think *all* oil is dodgy - this story has been doing the rounds for many years. I first heard it in 2002, and I don't know how long it had been circulating before that.

Having said that, cooking at home is always going to be a healthier option (less salt, you can control what goes in to a greater extent) and when eating out, it's advisable to go to more upmarket places. Of course, a shiny exterior and clean floor isn't a guarantee of top quality oil, but at least the balance of probabilities is better.

[amandagmu]

besides the suggestions above, and my strong recommendation you cook at home as well, I would try eating non-Chinese foods that are unlikely to use oils (e.g., sushi, I think kimchi?, and places like bittepita or summer rolls at a Vietnamese place). If you really want to eat Chinese food, you could try one of the strict vegetarian places (e.g., Fairy Su and others listed on happycow.net). I have noticed they tend to regulate the amount of salt and oils in those foods (usually very little of either and NO MSG written all over the menus), which of course makes most of my local friends joke or complain that "the food is not flavorful". Of course, this depends on one's tastes, and I prefer to taste my food rather than the sauces/oils it's slathered in... partially because too much MSG or oil gives me 拉肚子 and/or severe indigestion/bloated stomach pains, and I am not keen on suffering after eating. I have little choice but to cook at home because of the severity of my stomach's reaction to some foods here. Actually, this has led to some delicious kitchen creations and scoping out the best fresh markets and vendors in town, which is not such a bad thing either. :-)

Also, if anyone knows where I can find good Thai or Vietnamese restaurants - or stores that stock the products found in these cuisines - do let me know. I found most of the ingredients, but the rice paper I bought at April Gourmet is crap (only one option...) and I am not having luck with Thai basil leaves.

[imron]

I first heard it in 2002, and I don't know how long it had been circulating before that.

Heh, just imagine the flavours from oil that's been recyled again and again since at least 2002

cooking at home is always going to be a healthier option (less salt, you can control what goes in to a greater extent)

Not just less salt, less sugar too. The amount of sugar that goes into many popular dishes is staggering. I took a series of Chinese cooking classes a few years back, and dishes like 宫保鸡丁 or anything 鱼香 literally have handfuls of sugar :o