Seafood – Beijing Kids

Mandarin Monday: Don’t Let a Menu Get Between You and Your Seafood

Wendy Xu — Mon, 06 May 2019 08:00:06 +0000

After a well-deserved Labor Day holiday, you’re back at work and before the clock even reaches 12, you’re already thinking about all the delicious seafood you had during your vacation, right? Now that it’s getting warmer, the best season for seafood is coming! Since many fresh dishes are complicated to translate into English, here is a list of commonly used words for fish and seafood which you might see on a Chinese menu.

Chinese seafood menu

Seafood
海鲜 hǎi xiān

Fish
鱼 yú

Grilled fish
烤鱼 kǎo yú

Fried Dried Yellow Fish
干煎黄鱼 gān jiān huáng yú

Steamed Turbot with Black bean Sauce
清蒸多宝鱼 qīng zhēng duō bǎo yú

Steamed Fish Head with Salted Chili
剁椒鱼头 duò jiāo yú tóu

Boiled Fish with Pickled Cabbage and Chili
酸菜鱼 suān cài yú

Fragrant Fried Flat Bream
香煎带鱼 xiāng jiān dài yú

Shrimp
虾 xiā

Spicy Crawfish
麻辣小龙虾 má là xiǎo lóng xiā

Fried Shrimps with Bamboo Shoot
笋炒虾仁 sǔn chǎo xiā rén

Steamed Lobster with Chopped Garlic
蒜蓉蒸龙虾 suàn róng zhēng lóng xiā

Crab
螃蟹 páng xiè

Steamed Dazha Crabs
清蒸大闸蟹 qīng zhēng dà zhá xiè

Stir-Fried Crab with Ginger and Scallion
姜葱花蟹 cōng jiāng huā xiè

Fun idioms about seafood

山珍海味 (shān zhēn hái wèi)
Delicacies from land and sea (literally “a mountain of dainties, a sea of delicacies”)

Example: 我要大吃一顿山珍海味。(wǒyào dàchī yídùn shānzhēnháiwèi).
I want to gorge myself on the best of everything.

鲜味十足 (xiān wèi shí zú)
Utterly delicious (literally, “pure umami”)

Example: 这条鱼鲜味十足。(Zhè tiáo yú xiānwèishízú).
This fish is utterly delicious.

落汤螃蟹 (luò tāng páng xiè)
In trouble (literally, “a crab stuck in hot soup”, similar to the English idiom “in hot water”)

Example: 他像落汤螃蟹一样。 (Tā xiàng luòtāngpángxiè yíyàng).
He’s in hot water, he’s in trouble.

Photo: pixabay.com, meishichina.com

31 Beijing Events: Thai Food Festival, Hutong Pizza Tour, and More!

Soumya Satheesan — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 00:00:20 +0000

Did you know we have a family events WeChat group? Join two hundred other internationally-minded families for the latest information on what’s going on in Beijing. Send an email to editor@beijing-kids.com with your WeChat id or add KippWhittaker or anp3rd on WeChat. Please note that readers should confirm with each organizer if events are canceled or scheduled as planned.

Workshops and Coffee Mornings

INN Sanlitun Coffee Morning, Aug 15
All ages. Come join the International Newcomer’s Network (INN) for monthly Sanlitun coffee morning. It’s a great venue for making new friends, catching up with old ones, finding out what’s going on in “INN” Beijing, asking questions, or just enjoying a great cup of coffee or tea. Free. 10am-noon. The Bookworm. Building 4, Nan Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District.

Prenatal Breastfeeding Education, Aug 18
Adults. In this three-hour session, attendees will get to know more about topics about breast changes in pregnancy, as well as the biology of breastfeeding, positioning, latch, hunger cues, “signs” that the baby is getting enough, maternal nutrition, expressing, and getting support. The discussion will also include handling family pressure, discreet nursing in public, and other related topics. The activity is facilitated by Neha, a certified lactation education counselor (UCSD) and an experienced mother. The activity is open to 6 people only. RMB 200. 9.30am-12.30pm. 606 Tower 3, Central Park CBD, Beijing. For more information on how to register, scan the QR code below.

Breathwork @ Shang Space, various dates in Aug
Adults. The Mind Body Project presents Breathwork with three programs: (1) Breath Basics, or the three techniques to calm and cool; (2) Extreme Breath, or the three techniques for adventure sports; and (3) Mindfulness for Active Entrepreneurs, to learn more about how the concepts of challenge, mental strength, and resilience connect to one another. RMB 200 per day of program (RMB 150 advance). Breath Basics: Aug 17, 7-9pm; Extreme Breath: Aug 24, 7-9pm; Mindfulness for Active Entrepreneurs: Sep 3, 4-7pm. No. 20 Xinyuanli West, Chaoyang District (North Sanlitun, directly west of International SOS). The Mind Body.

Arrival Survival, Aug 28
All ages. Come and join the International Newcomer’s Network (INN) for a fun and informative morning with guest speakers discussing ways to survive and thrive in Beijing. Some topics covered include safety in the city and counterfeit money, the stress of settling into life in Beijing, water and air purification systems, health insurance, WeChat Pay, and financial planning. Afterwards, indulge in a lunch bunch in a nearby restaurant and enjoy delicious traditional Chinese cuisine. Foreign passport holders only. RMB 75. Capital Mansion Athletic Club. Capital Mansion, 6 Xinyuan Nan Road, Chaoyang 100004. 北京市朝阳区新源南路6号，京城大厦50层100004.

Art

Artist in Residency 2.0: Connect & Transform, until Aug 31
All ages. Chuang Tzu once wrote about “the usefulness of the useless,” a philosophy that guides Cui Fenghua’s brush, her explorations and her attempts to understand the world. A native of Shandong Province, Cui has been Four Seasons’ Artist in Residency since October 2016. During her time with the residency program, Ms. Cui has mingled with guests in the Executive Lounge, where her studio is located, and worked alongside the service staff at Opus Bar and MIO, transforming her experiences and connections into art for her latest 2017 Spring/Summer Collection. Five percent of the 2017 Spring/Summer Collection profits will go to the charitable organization Educating Girls of Rural China (EGRC). Follow the hotel WeChat (FSH_Beijing), reply “Artist in Residency” and discover the 2017 Spring/Summer Collection. 9am-6pm.

Rembrandt and His Time: Masterpieces from The Leiden Collection, until Sep 3 (except Mondays)
All ages. As part of its mission to stimulate a wider appreciation and understanding of seventeenth-century Dutch art, the Leiden Collection’s first international traveling exhibition will bring a group of about seventy works to the National Museum of China, Beijing from Jun 17 to Sep 3. The Leiden Collection exhibition makes history by presenting the largest assemblage of Dutch Golden Age paintings ever to visit China. It will include 11 paintings by Rembrandt — the greatest number of works by the master in private hands — as well as Vermeer’s Young Woman Seated at a Virginal, the first painting by the celebrated artist to travel to Beijing. National Art Museum of China (NAMOC).

The Divine Michelangelo at the Bird’s Nest Cultural Centre, until Sep 30
In cooperation with Italy’s Buonarroti Museum, the Bird’s Nest Cultural Centre is displaying over a hundred works by famed Renaissance artist Michelangelo, including sculptures, paintings, sketches and other masterpieces by the sculptor of David and the Sistine Chapel painter. For more information or to buy tickets, click here. RMB 80, RMB 40 for students, RMB 160 for a family pass. 10am-9pm. Beijing National Stadium (Bird’s Nest).

Events for the Competitive

Youth Photography Contest: Truth or Dare
Ages 14-19. Truth or Dare: Reveal a Truth or Capture a Daring Image. Enter this photography contest to win a mentorship with Mark Leong, Sharron Lovell, or Wu Hao. For submission details visit: https://www.beijingyouthlit.com/contest

Hold Vertical Run 2017, Aug 26
Adults. Don’t get left behind during this year’s race to the top, taking place at the China World Summit Wing, Beijing on August 26. This is the fifth time that the Vertical World Circuit has hosted their official race at the tallest building in Beijing. The elite winners of the event will take home a total of USD 5,000, while the fastest amateur male and female climbers will have a chance to win a free round-trip ticket to Europe supported by Qatar Airways. Click/tap here for more info on signing up. China World Summit Wing, Beijing. No.1 Jianguomenwai Avenue.

Outdoor Events

Picnic Out for the Center, Aug 26
All ages. Join the LGBT Center for this special Dining Out for the Center event. Spend your Saturday afternoon outside, lay under the shade of the big trees lined up at our special and fabulous venue and just not think of anything. Cloud watching, anyone? Bring along your friends. The more, the merrier. Open to all – LGBT, allies, families, co-workers, etc. There will be a fun a super slide challenge. See how fast you can go! Play some games and win prizes! Food and drink vendors will be on hand to serve you as needed. Click here for sign-up information. RMB 20 for entry. 2-6pm.

Gubeikou Great Wall Loop Hike, Aug 26
Ages 5+. On this hike we’ll head out to a beautiful section of the Great Wall that is further outside the city than the crowded main tourist sites, and much quieter. You’ll have a chance to hike along an unrestored section of the Great Wall that grants magnificent views of the Great Wall stretching beyond the horizon in the east and west. As we follow the wall, we’ll pass through restored and unrestored sections, as well as taking a nice detour through pines on a hillside trail. Sign up here. RMB 450 (RMB 405 for members). 8am-5.30pm. Beijing Hikers (WeChat ID: BeijingHikers).

Cruising the Yangtze River, until Sep 30
All ages. The epic Yangtze River Cruise takes you on a spectacular journey along the longest river in China. This is the perfect tour for those who want to relax on a luxury ship while also seeing some of the nature’s beautiful along the river. Rich in history, the Yangtze River and its surrounds present many opportunities for side trips to various cultural relics, as well as the monumental Three Gorges Dam. Travel agent and guide services are available in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and German. For more information, visit the website or email book@thechinaguide.com.

Fun for Kids

R3 Discovery Book Tasting, Aug 14-18
Ages 5-12. R3 Discovery presents a unique and exciting “Book Tasting” event where kids get the chance to learn about 5 literary genres. Each day, a different genre is explored including fiction, nonfiction, folktale, drama, and poetry. RMB 188 per 1.5 hours (including all activities). 3.30-5pm. R3 Discovery. (WeChat ID: R3Discovery, Chinese: 185 1133 4363, English: 151 0160 5808, r3discovery@sina.com). SOHO Shangdu, No.8 Dongdajiao Rd, West Tower, 4F, Rm 1435.

Little Toys Orchestra – children/family performance from France, Aug 23-Sep 10
Ages 2-6. Two musicians will joyfully lead this unusual orchestra. Their luggage is filled with toys and various unusual instruments such as a pink pig, a green pig, a witch, a guitar, a toy-piano, a mandolin, dog toys… all sorts of funny bits and pieces necessary to a sound like a fantasyland. This concert takes the audience on a journey through a musical parade. Make way for an imaginary world! 4-6.30pm. From RMB 180. Ticketing hotline: 134 6654 2185. Tong Production. (WeChat ID: tongtiyan, www.tongproduction.com)

Shows

Creative Humor Physical Theatre – Papirus, Aug 23-27
All ages. This warm and touching play tells the story of a piece of magical paper. Papirus is dedicated to all those who never stop dreaming. In the middle of nowhere, a tired man walks alone, and his only companions are a large suitcase and a big piece of paper. In the middle of nowhere, a woman, weakened, looks for a place to sleep. Soon, each of them will discover the presence of the other. Without any words, through gestures, shapes and painting, these two foreigners speak and establish a game full of curiosity, generosity and hope where sharing becomes a way of communication. This is a show about the magic that comes when we allow ourselves to communicate with the heart. For more information or to buy tickets, click here. Ticket prices: RMB 160-280. National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) 国家大剧院. 2 Chang’an Jie Xicheng District 西城区西长安街2.

Epic Horse Show “Troy”, until Aug 27 (except Mondays)
All ages. Hundreds of millions of investment, more than 100 horses, thousands of tons of sand, thousands of miles, 8 times IMAX projection visual shock, and 27,000 square meters of super realistic landscape to present a precious 80 minutes of performance for the Chinese audience .This summer, the epic Horse Show “Troy” premieres at Beijing Bird’s Nest! The story is based on for thousands of years. RMB 180/ 380/ 580/ 880/ 1280/ 18,880/ 38,880. 7.30pm. Contact Lucy (WeChat ID: lucy18600208126, 186 0020 8126). Beijing National Stadium (Bird’s Nest).

Festivals, Markets, and Charity Events

Sports Beijing’s Annual Festival of Sport, Aug 26
All ages. Sports Beijing’s annual Festival of Sports event will be held at the ISB Dome on Aug 26 from 10am to 3pm. New and returning members are welcome to join this fun FREE event. This event gives you a chance to register your kids for sports that are offered during the Fall 2017 season. Parents will have the chance to speak to some of the coaches, management, and partners while the kids participate in different sports inside the dome. Free. 10am-3pm. International School of Beijing (ISB). 10 Anhua Jie, Shunyi District 顺义区安华街10号.

Roundabout Book Fair at BSB Shunyi 2017, Aug 26-30
All ages. This is probably the biggest Roundabout Book Fair every year held at The British School of Beijing (BSB) Shunyi! Thousands of gently used books for the whole family in many languages & genres. Paperbacks from RMB 10, Hardbacks from RMB 20, Kid’s books from RMB 1. Pick up some late summer & holiday reading at this fair. Every single RMB you pay will directly help a child in need. Aug 26: 10am-3pm (open to the public); Aug 27: 12-3pm (BSB families); Aug 28-30: 3.30-5pm (open to public daily). Roundabout. (WeChat ID: Roundabout666, www.roundaboutchina.com). The British School of Beijing (BSB) Shunyi. South Side, No. 9 An Hua Street, Shunyi District. 北京市顺义区天竺开发区安华街9号南院. (8047 3588, brenda.leung@britishschool.org.cn)

CK Treasure Trove, Sep 3
All ages. CK Treasure Trove’s first market will take place on Sunday September 3rd at Tech Temple in Sanlitun (behind Q Mex in Courtyard 4). Merchants sell treasures from all around the world, including Siberia, Morocco, France, Ghana, India – and of course China! Come by and find something unique to brighten your day! Tech Temple Sanlitun. 12-6pm.

99 Days of Giving, Sep 7-9
All ages. Roundabout’s annual Days of Giving are coming up soon from 7th-9th September. Support the cause and give love & hope to more children in need. This is your chance to help make a massive impact to the lives of those under-served in our world. This year, along with the medical care, Roundabout will be supporting education initiatives that will give so many children the chance of a bright future. Click here for more information. Roundabout

Dining

Thai Food Festival, until Aug 20
All ages. The Ritz-Carlton, Beijing collaborates with Thai Embassy to invite Guest Chef Nueng from Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Thailand, to showcase authentic Thai flavors highlighting especially his most popular 10 dishes at Aroma, which are also recognized by CNN. For reservations, call 5908 8161. Lunch: RMB 368 net per person, including soft drink, coffee and tea; Dinner: RMB 448 net per person, including chilled juice, soft drink, coffee and tea; Brunch: Starts from RMB 618 net per person, including red and white wine, draft beer, chilled juice, soft drink, coffee and tea. Aroma. Lobby Level, The Ritz-Carlton, Beijing.

Hutong Pizza Tour, Aug 20
All ages. Do you and your family love pizza? Then this family-friendly experience might be just for you! Beijing Experience is organizing a hutong tour around Dongsi area, which will end with a visit to Buona Pizza, a hidden pizzeria in the hutong. The pizzeria is cozy, friendly, and 100 percent trustworthy, perfect for a family dinner. Sounds fun? Book through WeChat: 13071139166. RMB 99 (adults), free for kids, pizza included. 5pm. Chaoyangmen, line 6, exit G.

Fresh Eats for a Cool Summer, until Aug 31
All ages. Savor vegetables straight from the garden in every bite of Head Chef Li Qiang’s carefully-crafted seasonal summer menu at Cai Yi Xuan. From the refreshing deep-fried Red Horsehead with Shredded Mango with Sour Chili Dressing to the delectable Poached Sliced Australian Wagyu Beef with Bitter Gourd in Consommé, Chef Li’s culinary expertise is on display in dishes that will tantalize your taste buds. For more information or to make a reservation, contact Cai Yi Xuan at 5695 8520. 11.30am-10.30pm. Cai Yi Xuan. 2/F, Four Seasons Hotel, 48 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区亮马桥路48号北京四季酒店2层.

Summer New Menu at ZHEN Chinese Restaurant, until Aug 31
All ages. Syrup of Plum with Mint and Fruits, Rice Glue Ball and Lily in Frozen Rice Wine Soup, Deep-Fried Prawn Ball with Mango Yoghourt Sauce and more. For reservations, call 22-24626888-6022. From RMB 58. Wanda Vista Tianjin 486 Bahao Road, Da Zhi Gu, Hedong District, Tianjin 300170.

Savor the Ocean with New Seafood Delicacies at Feast, until Aug 31
All ages. Feast (Food by EAST), the award-winning all-day dining destination at EAST, Beijing is pleased to present its all-new Surf & Turf semi-buffet dinner and weekend semi-buffet brunch to celebrate the summer season. Available from July 28, the semi-buffet will offer more of an extensive selection of fresh seafood, premium beef and other irresistible delicacies that will leave guests feeling spoiled for choice, including freshly shucked imported oysters，Boston lobsters, mussels, snow crab legs and much more. The Surf & Turf semi-buffet dinner is available every Friday to Sunday, 5.30-10pm, priced at RMB 388 per person. The weekend semi-buffet brunch is available every Saturday and Sunday, 11.30am till 3pm, priced at RMB 388 per person. For reservations, call 8414 9820. Feast (Food by East). EAST, Beijing, 22 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区酒仙桥路22号.

Sunday Brunch at the Lobby, until Oct 1
All ages. The Lobby at The Peninsula Beijing invites families to share memorable culinary experiences at the new Sunday Brunch Buffet. The sumptuous weekend feast combines international “Farm-to-Table” buffet and a la carte cuisines with a hint of Mediterranean inspiration. Diners also have access to freshly imported seafood, an extensive selection of homemade cold cuts, and premium cheeses from around the world. The Lobby.

Summer Camps

Picasso Workshop with Atelier, Aug 14-18
Ages 5-12. Discover the protean oeuvre of Pablo Picasso, a universally famous artist who painted, sculpted, and drew for more than 70 years. Explore the birth of cubism, the blue and pink period, the paintings that marked Art History, and the portraits of his beloved ones through painting, sculpture, drawing, linocut, and pottery. This summer camp is a journey through almost one Century of Art History. RMB 1,800 per week. 10am-noon (ages 5-8); 1.30-4pm (ages 9+). Atelier Art School. (WeChat ID: atelier_apas, 6416 1614, www.atelier.cn.com). Room 10L, Building 7 (middle entrance), Julong Garden No.68, Xinzhong Street Chaoyang district. 北京市东城区新中街68号聚龙花园7号楼10L室.

Summer Camp with Flips & Kicks Plus and Kerry Sports, various dates in Aug
Ages 4-12. Due to the positive response regarding previous summer camps, Flips & Kicks Plus and Kerry Sports will host additional ones. The upcoming camp will take place from Aug 14 to 18. Registration is required. RMB 3,200-4,500. 9am–2.30pm. For more information or booking please contact the Kerry center (8565 2460, hbkc@thekerryhotels.com) Guang Hua Lu no. 1. 光华路一号

Sea Touring Kayak Training Summer Camp, various dates in Aug
Ages 8-18. Beijing Warren Kayak Club is organizing the first kayak summer camp in Beijing history. The purpose of the camp is to teach ACA (American Canoe Association) sea touring kayak level 1 and level 2 lessons. Students will learn and master long distance paddling, practice rescue drills, and learn about kayak trips. At the end, the students’ learning will be assessed, and their skill levels will be certified by ACA. English is the main language of the kayak summer camp, but the instructors are more or less able to communicate in Chinese. Dates: Aug 14-18 and 21-25. (WeChat ID: Kayaking_China, 151 0166 2018, boston5678@qq.com).

Parkour Camp by Imagine, various dates in Aug
Ages 7-16. Develop exciting parkour skills by leaping into foam pits, jumping on trampolines, balancing on a slack line, climbing on a bouldering wall, and so much more! Parkour is a great way to build foundation skills for all other freestyle action sports. Dates: Aug 14-18, 21-25. RMB 700 per day including transport. Imagine. (5739 4933, info@imagine-china.com )

Survival Camp by Imagine, various dates in Aug
Ages 7-14. This camp teaches kids the essentials of survival in the wilderness: making fires, building rafts, crossing rivers, making traps and tools, cooking, building shelters and more! Survival Camp takes you to the great outdoors to learn what nature has to offer. Dates: Aug 14-18 and 21-25. RMB 750 per day. Imagine. (5739 4933, info@imagine-china.com)

Photos: martinquijandria, tookapic, luvmybry, StartupStockPhotos via Pixabay; other photos courtesy of the organizers

More stories by this author here.

25 Beijing Events: Book Tasting, Moroccan Couscous Fridays, and More!

Soumya Satheesan — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 00:00:53 +0000

Fun for Kids

Little Toys Orchestra – children/family performance from France, Aug 23-Sep 10
Ages 2-6. Two musicians will joyfully lead this unusual orchestra. Their luggage is filled with toys and various unusual instruments such as a pink pig, a green pig, a witch, a guitar, a toy-piano, a mandolin, dog toys… all sorts of funny bits and pieces necessary to a sound like a fantasyland. This concert takes the audience on a journey through a musical parade. Make way for an imaginary world! 4-6.30pm. From RMB 180. Ticketing Hotline: 134 6654 2185. Tong Production. (WeChat ID: tongtiyan, www.tongproduction.com)

Anatole’s Little Saucepan – A contemporary family puppet theatre, Aug 24-26
Ages 3+. Anatole, a warm-hearted, sensitive, and gentle person, is always dragging around his little saucepan. It fell on him one day and nobody really knows why. Since then, it gets stuck everywhere and it keeps him from going forward. Anatole feels so depressed and miserable until something beautiful happens…..Adapted from French author Isabelle Carrier’s award winning picture book, Anatole’s Little Saucepan, this puppet show brings the audience through a child’s mental journey of dealing with something unbearable in his life – the saucepan attached to his arm. From seeing it as a dragging burden that he tries so hard to get rid of, to knowing how to live with it in harmony, and to finally transcending it to something to be proud of…. Ticketing hotline: 134 6654 2185. RMB 180-240. 5-7pm. Theatre M, Oriental Media Center, Beijing. (WeChat ID: tongtiyan, www.tongproduction.com)

Safari Song Time, every Friday and Saturday
Ages 3-18 months. All babies – from the quietest to the most vocal – love singing and rhymes! It stimulates their brains and development, and makes them happy! Bring your little ones to The Bookworm and take them on a fun safari where they can learn songs and rhymes from around the world. RMB 60 per child. 10.30-11.30am. The Bookworm. Building 4, Nan Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District.

Shows, Fairs, and Festivals

Sports Beijing’s Annual Festival of Sport, Aug 26
All ages. Sports Beijing’s annual Festival of Sports event will be held at the ISB Dome on Saturday, August 26th from 10am to 3pm. New and returning members are welcome to join this fun FREE event. This event gives you a chance to register your kids for sports that are offered during the Fall 2017 season. Parents will have the chance to speak to some of the coaches, management, and partners while the kids participate in different sports inside the dome. Free. 10am-3pm. International School of Beijing (ISB). 10 Anhua Jie, Shunyi District 顺义区安华街10号.

Events for the Competitive

Dining

Ron Mexico’s Taco Tuesday, Tuesday nights
All ages. Taco Tuesday’s are back at Ron Mexico! Choose from 3 different tacos. Buy 1 or buy 6. Eat as much as you want. Dine in only. See ya there! 7-11pm. RMB 10 per taco. Ron Mexico. 113-02 Jiaodaokou Dongdajie, Dongcheng District. 东城区交道口东大街113-02

Couscous Fridays at Caravan, Fridays
All ages. Couscous is a Moroccan classic that comes in many forms: meat, vegetables, fish, royal, sweet, salty, etc. However, most people don’t realize that in Morocco, people generally eat couscous on Fridays for lunch and maybe for some special events. Caravan is bringing that tradition to Beijing. Choose between various weekly vegan and meaty options. RMB 85 per person. 11am-11pm. Caravan. 44 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District. 光华路44号.

Summer Camps

French Immersion Summer Camp, Aug 7-25
Ages 4-10. All Levels – New learners encouraged! Introduce your child to French and experience a new language and culture. This summer camp gives your children a chance to immerse themselves into a French language environment through fun activities with Native French teachers. RMB 2,500 per week (lunch/snacks included). 9am-4pm. For more information, email frenchcampbeijing@yahoo.com.

Sports Beijing Aqua Warriors Summer Swim Camp, Aug 7-11
Ages 4-16. Aqua Warriors Summer Swim Camp is designed to provide competitive and near-competitive swimmers with a great opportunity to improve their overall swimming abilities. The camp will focus on developing stroke technique, increasing stamina, optimizing turns, and introducing video analysis. Not only is this camp a great opportunity for swimmers to receive high-quality training, but it is also a great chance to make new friends and have fun in the pool! RMB 1,600 per child. To sign up, visit http://www.sportsbj.org/product/aqua-warriors-summer-camp/. Zhongjia Xinyuan Hot-spring Hotel. 200 meters East of Gu Cheng Village, Hou Sha Yu, Shunyi District 顺义区后沙峪镇古城村村委会东200米

Summer Camp with Flips & Kicks Plus and Kerry Sports, various dates in Aug
Ages 4-12. Due to the positive response regarding previous summer camps, FLIPS & KICKS PLUS in proud cooperation with KERRY SPORTS will host additional ones. Upcoming camps will take place during August 7^th to 11^th, and August 14^th to 18^th. Registration is required. RMB 3,200-4,500. 9am–2.30pm. For more information or booking please contact the Kerry center (8565 2460, hbkc@thekerryhotels.com) Guang Hua Lu no. 1. 光华路一号

Sea Touring Kayak Training Summer Camp, various dates in Aug
Ages 8-18. Beijing Warren Kayak Club is organizing the first kayak summer camp in Beijing history. The purpose of the camp is to teach ACA (American Canoe Association) sea touring kayak level 1 and level 2 lessons. Students will learn and master long distance paddling, practice rescue drills, and learn about kayak trips. At the end, the students’ learning will be assessed, and their skill levels will be certified by ACA. English is the main language of the kayak summer camp, but the instructors are more or less able to communicate in Chinese. Dates: August 7-11, August 14-18, and August 21–25. (WeChat ID: Kayaking_China, 151 0166 2018, boston5678@qq.com).

Parkour Camp by Imagine, various dates in Aug
Ages 7-16. Develop exciting parkour skills by leaping into foam pits, jumping on trampolines, balancing on a slack line, climbing on a bouldering wall, and so much more! Parkour is a great way to build foundation skills for all other freestyle action sports. Dates: Aug 7-11, 14-18, 21-25. RMB 700 per day including transport. Imagine. (5739 4933, info@imagine-china.com )

Survival Camp by Imagine, various dates in Aug
Ages 7-14. This camp teaches kids the essentials of survival in the wilderness: making fires, building rafts, crossing rivers, making traps and tools, cooking, building shelters and more! Survival Camp takes you to the great outdoors to learn what nature has to offer. Dates: Aug 7-11, 14-18, 21-25. RMB 750 per day. Imagine. (5739 4933, info@imagine-china.com)

Workshops and Training

Essential Skills: Negotiating Success Through Creating Value, Aug 16
Adults. This one-day, English language course will help anyone who needs to build their negotiation abilities. Develop a strategic mindset for negotiation and learn from real life examples and case studies to understand the ‘how and why’ of negotiation success and failure. Learn how to add value, manage expectations, set goals and develop power. For more information or to register, click/tap here. RMB 2,000 for AmCham members, RMB 2,500 for non-members. 8.45am-5pm. The American Chamber of Commerce. 6/F, Tower AB, The Office Park, 10 Jintongxi Lu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区金桐西路10号远洋光华国际AB座6层.

Leadership and Management Training: Transform Your Goals, Aug 22
Adults. This English-language half-day seminar by Tom Watson helps leaders create extraordinary execution and engagement. Learn the leadership principles that will help you produce results, including focus, leverage, engagement, and accountability and compete and succeed in today’s markets. For more information or to register, click/tap here. Free for employees of AmCham member companies, RMB 450 for non-members. 1-4.30pm. The American Chamber of Commerce. 6/F, Tower AB, The Office Park, 10 Jintongxi Lu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区金桐西路10号远洋光华国际AB座6层.

Essential Skills Training: Writing for Results, Aug 25
Adults. This English-language course looks at written communication for a multi-national staff. Participants will learn useful skills for cross-department and cross-cultural written communication and will be able to think and write clearly, persuasively and professionally to senior managers, and overseas colleagues. For more information or to register, click/tap here. RMB 2,500 for employees of AmCham member companies, RMB 2,800for non-members. 8.45am-5pm. The American Chamber of Commerce. 6/F, Tower AB, The Office Park, 10 Jintongxi Lu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区金桐西路10号远洋光华国际AB座6层.

Photos: tookapic, luvmybry, StartupStockPhotos via Pixabay; other photos courtesy of the organizers

More stories by this author here.

Food for Thought: At Home Date Night

Pennywu — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 00:00:05 +0000

The Howes family returned to Beijing last year after living here from 2009 to 2011. Beijing is where the Howes welcomed their first daughter Evie. After Monica (Australia) and Jonathan (UK) left China they added another daughter, Charlie, to their family. The Howes have since lived in Japan and Dubai. Of all the cities the Howes lived in, Beijing is by far their favorite. “Lots of things have changed since the last time we lived here and getting around town is much easier nowadays, we love it here,” Jonathan said.

Their oldest girl Evie, is now 5 years old and attends the British School of Beijing in Sanlitun (BSB, Sanlitun), while Charlie is two and a half and can’t wait to join Evie on the bus to school. Monica says BSB reminds her of a great community feel she had back in her primary school in Melbourne.

The couple, who has been together for 15 years, first met each other while working at a same hotel in Australia. The pair fancies a date night once a week or fortnightly, depending on Jonathan’s schedule who is executive chef at New World Beijing Hotel. Meanwhile, Monica has been working on a family cookbook along with 12 other members of the parent association at BSB. The charity project lists over 130 family-friendly food and favorite recipes of parents and kids. Proceeds will go to the Migrant Children’s Foundation.

The couple likes to cook together and loves to bring the girls to new restaurants to have new culinary experiences as a family. We had the pleasure of joining them at home to have a taste of their date night. Jonathan made Moules marinière à la crème, a mussel dish which was one of the first recipes the couple cooked together. Jonathan impressed Monica 15 years ago with this shellfish dish as she never had mussels before. Neither did she know till now that shellfish are a natural aphrodisiac. The recipe is easy to cook and different variations can be made. The couple likes it with some crusty baguette and a garden salad. The ingredients are available at Sanyuanli Market.

Mussels in White Wine 蒜香白葡萄酒焖青口（海虹）

Ingredients 食材：
½ kg mussels 青口500克

1 onion, chopped finely 洋葱1个（切碎）

1 garlic clove, crushed 大蒜瓣1个（碾碎）

125 ml white wine 白葡萄酒125毫升

Generous splash of cream 大量的白奶油

Bunch of parsley chopped finely 香芹1把（切碎）

Instructions 烹饪方法：

Preparing the Mussels: check if all mussels are closed and there are no broken shells. Shut any opened mussels. If the mussel stays closed, it’s good to use, otherwise discard. Wash, scrub, and remove the beards from the mussels.准备青口：检查青口外壳是否紧闭、完好无破损。用手合起已开口的青口，能合起壳子的可以选择，若外壳张开则舍弃。选好后，用刷子清洗青口外壳，去除表面绒毛。
In a pot or large skillet, sauté onions for 5 minutes, add garlic, and carry on sweating until transparent.将洗净的青口放入锅中，加入大蒜腌制5分钟，脱水直至透明。
Turn up heat, add mussels and stir. Cover with lid.开火，将腌好的青口在锅中翻炒后，盖上锅盖。
When mussels start opening (about two minutes), add wine and stir.待青口外壳打开（约两分钟左右）后，加入白葡萄酒继续翻炒。
Remove all open mussels from the pot. Shake the pot to open others. If some mussels don’t open, discard them.将青口从锅中盛出，摇晃锅子查看是否所有青口的壳已张开，扔掉未开口的青口。
Add the cream to the pan and bring to a boil. Turn down and simmer. Check seasoning. 在平底锅中加入奶油煮至沸腾，转小火炖煮，调试口味。
Add the mussels back to the pot and cover with lid. Bring back to a boil and toss around. 将青口放回锅中，摇晃均匀，盖上锅盖重新煮沸。
Add parsley and serve immediately with crusty baguette, salad, and a chilled glass of white wine.在煮沸后的青口中加入香芹后起锅，搭配沙拉、法棍及一杯冰镇白葡萄酒即可享用

Photos by Uni You

This article originally appeared on page 22-24 of beijingkids 2017 February Issue. Download the digital version here.

Fish at the Farm: Fishtail Garden Weekend Lunch

Sisi_Chen — Sat, 22 Jun 2013 01:00:00 +0000

It was a promising concept, and it had all the right ingredients: Seafood, weekend buffet, farm-fresh, organic. And most importantly, right here in Shunyi.

The day after we saw the advertisement, we made a reservation for Sunday lunch. We then received a call from a nice lady who gave thorough instructions for getting to the farm. There was, however, one hitch. The price advertised was no longer up-to-date, and would we mind paying the new price? It was a steep difference (double the price of RMB 100 originally posted). But again, it was such an idyllic-sounding place that we relented.

Finding the Fishtail Garden Farm wasn’t easy. Thanks to some basic Mandarin skills, we arranged for the caretaker to pick us up from an easy-to-spot location. Once we made it to the farm, we realized it was actually pretty straightforward:

Drive towards the Scitech Outlet Mall along Xiangjiang Beilu, and keep an eye out for the Maquanying subway exit A across the street, on your right.
Right before you reach the subway exit, you will see a small white stone bridge to the right. Turn into the bridge and make an immediate left at the subway.
Follow the very bumpy dirt path. You are essentially driving behind the subway exit building. Alternatively, you could park at the exit A building and follow the path on foot.
One hundred meters in, you will notice a bamboo fence to the right and a small wooden sign proclaiming your arrival at Fishtail Garden.
If you hit an intersection and see Subway exits B and C, you have gone too far. If you prefer to be escorted into the farm, give them a call when you get to exit A and someone will come get you.

Upon arrival, we took a quick stroll as various vegetables were pointed out to us: onions, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, and more. The farm has been growing vegetables for the Yellow River Restaurants, which are run by the same owners.

We were then led into the main dining hall, which was empty except for the four of us. Since it was a farm, we had hoped the dining area would have a more rustic feel. Or maybe (as we had experienced in Mongolia) we’d even be eating inside a converted greenhouse.

Instead, it was a run-of-the-mill local restaurant set-up. The caretaker told us that since there was only our table, they would not serve the food buffet-style, but everything would be cooked fresh for us.

The chef set to work single-handedly producing our lunch with ingredients harvested from the garden. The first two dishes were a plate of poached sugared sliced pears and sliced cold pork in a vinegar-based brine. Then, three vegetable dishes: boiled corn and sweet potato; stir-fried cress mixed with a slightly spicy oil; and a tossed salad with greens, cucumber, carrots, radish and onion. And then, three protein dishes paraded in: sweet and sour prawn with kiwi, dragon fruit and lychee; braised tilapia with mushrooms; and yak meat steak with steamed vegetables.

And then, despite being light-headed and lead-stomached from all the food, there was more to try: a sweet eight-treasure congee, a plate of pork and chive jiaozi, and a platter of very fresh fruit. All the dishes were clean-tasting and very well-made, and washed down nicely with tea or lemon water.

In the end, the food was so fresh that we didn’t mind the price adjustment at all. A look through the photos on the walls told us that the farm has hosted many large groups and even some weddings. An entire shed is devoted to roasting and barbecuing. The decks of playing cards, checkerboard etched onto one tabletop, and other entertainment paraphernalia hinted this would make a good venue for team-building activities or celebrations with friends.

Or, do as we did and go as a family; you may be lucky enough to have the entire farm to yourself.

To find out more, visit Fishtail’s Weibo page.

Fishtail Garden Organic Farm 曳尾园家庭农场
RMB 200/person (be sure to double-check before going). Sat-Sun 10am-5pm, by reservation only.Across the street from Scitech Outlets, Hegezhuang, Chaoyang District (400 018 0096, fishtailgarden@sina.com)朝阳区崔各庄赛特奥莱对面

Photos by Dana Cosio-Mercado

Dana is the beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent. Originally from the Philippines, she moved to Beijing in 2011 (via Europe) with her husband, two sons and Rusty the dog. She enjoys writing, photography, theater, visual arts, and trying new food. In her free time, she can be found exploring the city and driving along the mountain roads of Huairou, Miyun and Pinggu.