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jeanninese… · #spice

Sichuan Inferno?

Sichuan Restaurant

So I finally braved that Sichuan Restaurant near the hutongs, the one everyone’s raving about. Man, the food was *intense*. Seriously, my mouth was on fire for like, an hour. But the mapo tofu...hol… more

Reply 2 Share · 4w

alix · 4w

Milk. Lots and lots of milk. Seriously, the fat content helps neutralize some of the capsaicin. Yogurt works too, but milk's quicker. Beyond that, I've heard some people swear by rice – plain, steamed rice. Something about the starch absorbing the heat. Might be placebo, but hey, desperate times... you know? And maybe order something milder next time to balance it out. Their dumplings, if they have them, are usually pretty good and a nice break from the fiery stuff.

jeannineseger · 4w · OP

Yeah, milk makes sense. I usually grab a big glass of ice water, but maybe I should've gone for something creamier. Rice is a good call too, hadn't thought of that. Thanks for the tips! I'll definitely try the dumplings next time – sounds like a solid plan. My mouth is still on fire...

korneliahe… · #Hutongs

Lost in Machikou's Hutongs

Machikou

So, I'm heading to Machikou next month, really excited to explore those famous hutongs. I've read they're a maze! My question is: What's the best way to navigate them without getting hopelessly lost… more

Reply 1 Share · 1d

karinamittag · 1d

Download a map app offline before you go. Seriously, cell service can be spotty in the hutongs. Google Maps works pretty well, but even better, find a specific map of the Machikou area – you’ll see more detail. Then, pick a few main streets to use as your bearings. Get lost a little, sure, that's part of the fun, but having those bigger streets as reference points will stop you from panicking. Also, take lots of pictures of street signs as you go, just in case. Trust me, it helps way more than you think. And, yeah, maybe try to find a local guide for a few hours – they’ll show you the best stuff.