Being outside of my home country has made food more than just something to eat but it has become a way to stay connected to familiar culture. During this time, I visited XIBEI, a Chinese restaurant that offers a wide variety of traditional dishes. The menu includes classic Northern Chinese food which immediately caught my attention. Eating Chinese food is always different from eating in school, so I approached this experience with both curiosity and realistic expectations.
One of the first things I noticed was how quickly the food was served. The dishes arrived at the table almost immediately after ordering, which made me clear that the food was pre-made. I know that even with modern kitchen technology, they can not cook meals that fast. However, instead of seeing this as a major drawback, I viewed it as a part of how the restaurant operates in order to serve customers efficiently.
Despite the use of pre-made food, the flavors were surprisingly authentic. The taste reminded me of meals I would normally have in China, which is something I rarely experience while I am living here. Finding Chinese food with this level of authenticity overseas is uncommon. Also it creates a strong sense of emotional connection and cultural comfort.
Another positive aspect of the restaurant was the portion size. I ordered Peking Duck, Braised Pork Belly, Braised Lamb Spine Hot Pot, Dry-fired Green Beans, and Chicken Soup. Till I was really full, I made Braised Pork Belly and Braised Lamp Spine Hot Pot for to-go. This restaurant really offers big sizes of meals.
In terms of price, the meal was reasonable. For three people we spent about $150 and a 15% tip, which I did not find overly expensive considering the number of dishes and portion sizes. Overall, for me I will be glad to come back to try the food again, I will highly suggest it to everyone. Come and try it, you will love it.
