https://www.scmp.com/rss/521156/feed Xiong Yang is an independent journalist covering food, and its broader connections to culture, history, and politics. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Xiong Yang Xiong Yang Most of us have fielded the question: “So where are you from?” To say I’m not a fan of this question would be an understatement, considering how my response – “I’m Chinese” – is often met with palpable disappointment. Unfortunately, I don’t have a rare nationality, like Bruneian, nor am I a fun Korean. But before I can spiral into an identity crisis, my appetite always anchors me in the comfort of being Chinese. My Chineseness surfaced in embodied and reassuring ways when I first moved overseas... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3346533/new-york-chinese-doesnt-begin-capture-our-many-tastes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3346533/new-york-chinese-doesnt-begin-capture-our-many-tastes?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Mar 2026 01:30:08 +0000 Xiong Yang Xiong Yang The construction of the Chinese Eastern Railway by the Russian Empire at the turn of the 20th century gave birth to modern-day Harbin, the northeastern Chinese city known for its annual ice festival. For a time, the city served as the railway’s construction hub and administrative centre. Though the railways have long receded in importance, Harbin is still full of Russian architectural influence. This, paired with abundant snow and ice, has transformed the capital of Heilongjiang, China’s... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3347019/best-things-do-harbin-chinas-ice-festival-mecca-russian-accent?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3347019/best-things-do-harbin-chinas-ice-festival-mecca-russian-accent?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Mar 2026 23:15:16 +0000 Xiong Yang Xiong Yang Restaurant-goers in Dali, in China’s western Yunnan province, are spoiled by the historical city’s abundance of quality ingredients. Fridges stacked with seasonal vegetables, tofu concoctions and fresh cuts of meat are common sights for diners to browse, while fried innards and fish vie for attention in giant metal bowls. Aquatic vegetables soaking in water line floors. This is farm-to-table, Dali style. Thanks to its temperate climate and diverse terrain, Yunnan is suitable for growing all... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3339994/why-dali-chinas-yunnan-province-such-great-place-food-adventurers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3339994/why-dali-chinas-yunnan-province-such-great-place-food-adventurers?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 Jan 2026 09:15:08 +0000 Xiong Yang Xiong Yang I never thought I would write about my grandfather’s funeral – my paternal grandfather’s, to be exact. The distinction matters, for all the years spent memorising how to address everyone in the family properly. Unlike in English, where “grandma” and “grandpa” suffice, the Chinese have entirely different words for maternal and paternal grandparents. These words also vary from region to region. I call my paternal grandparents yeye and nainai. On my mum’s side: diedie and jiajia. Chinese kinship... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3332745/very-chinese-funeral-and-all-things-my-family-didnt-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3332745/very-chinese-funeral-and-all-things-my-family-didnt-say?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Nov 2025 21:30:08 +0000 Xiong Yang Xiong Yang Airy tofu cubes dyed black with ash, wild litsea seeds packing a lemony punch, and chewy sheets of dry cheese stretched around bamboo sticks – these once unfamiliar foods are winning over palates in China’s major cities. Cuisines from the mountainous southwestern provinces feature a wide range of wild vegetables and fungi, generously seasoned with fresh herbs and spices. In the search for bolder tastes, locals love to cure, smoke and ferment their foods for an extra kick. China is now home to... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3324142/how-chinas-yun-gui-cuisine-which-shows-best-2-provinces-soaring-popularity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3324142/how-chinas-yun-gui-cuisine-which-shows-best-2-provinces-soaring-popularity?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Sep 2025 23:15:07 +0000