Noelle Mateer
China’s Niche Market for Bull Penis Is Small But Powerful
I’m in China testing out one of its most ancient aphrodisiacs: bull penis soup. I ventured to one of the few shops that serve it in Hangzhou to see if it lives up to his medicinal hype.
China’s Niche Market for Bull Penis Is Small But Powerful
I’m in China testing out one of its most ancient aphrodisiacs: bull penis soup. I ventured to one of the few shops that serve it in Hangzhou to see if it lives up to his medicinal hype.
A Visual Guide to Shanghai's Greatest Dumpling Hits
Stop throwing around the word "dumpling" like a dummy and read this guide to the seven most common (and delicious) styles of bao and wonton that you'll find in Shanghai.
I Hung Out with Fidel Castro's Former Chef in Havana
I had come to Havana with a mission: find Fidel Castro’s chef. His restaurant is one of a growing number of paladares recently legalized by the Cuban government.
Dragon Well Tea Is the Fine Wine of Hangzhou
Qing Ming is the “Tomb-Sweeping Festival,” a Chinese national holiday at the beginning of April. And while some families sweep the tombs of their ancestors in its observance, the harvesters in Longjing are busy picking the most expensive leaves of the...
Chinese Coffee Culture Is Ready to Graduate from Adorable to Artisan
China's a nation of tea-drinkers, but it's finally starting to hone in on what makes a damn fine cup of coffee, from carefully roasted beans to unique presentations.
You Can Have the Best French Macaron Of Your Life in Southeast Asia
The junction of Rue Samsenthai and Rue Thadeua isn’t exactly where you’d think to go for escargot and paté. But in Vientiane, Laos, you can find classic French cuisine in an unexpected setting.
In China's $1 Billion Fake Paris, They Forgot the Baguettes
Tianducheng is literally China's Paris, complete with a replica Eiffel Tower and walls adorned with faux Monets. But something seemed a little off about the "French" cuisine in its cafes.
Expensive Apples Mean Christmas Time in China
While Americans shell out wads of US dollars for high-tech presents like iPhones and Xboxes, Chinese friends exchange pricey, gift-wrapped apples.
Drink Up Before You Light the Fireworks in Inner Mongolia
My best friend Luxin’s uncle Erjiu is a small Chinese man living in Inner Mongolia who likes to drink too much liquor and then shoot off full-size fireworks. I joined him and his family to eat delicious lamb parts in the middle of nowhere.
When Eating Chinese Bullfrog, Don't Forget to Suck the Toes
In Hangzhou, I tried bullfrog for the first time at a hole-in-the-wall. There, I learned to suck the white meat off the frog legs until all that was left was a pile of tiny toe bones in my mouth.
I Ate Spoon-Fed Propaganda on the North Korean Border
It’s unsettling to watch North Korean propaganda during dinner, and even more unsettling to lock eyes IRL with a group of North Korean party officials.