Plum Valley dim sum for Autumn Moon Festival

Today I went to Chinatown with my family and we saw the lion dance for the Autumn Moon Festival. There were also some stalls an other entertainment going on, organised by the London Chinatown Association.
We decided to go to the new restaurant Plum Valley on Gerrard Street as I had heard good things about it. It is kind of a budget version of Hakkasan. Black wooden minimalist interiors with seating booths. I do like a booth. Also handy with small children as they can be 'trapped' in between 2 people in a booth (my daughter is very curious and constantly trying to escape). We ordered some dim sum and a couple of noodle dishes. All excellent. The prawn and chive dumplings had a nice spicey kick to them, the lo pak ko (turnip cakes) were exquisite (not greasy or rubbery and packed full of shrimps and pork). Lucky Cat recommends!
After that we went to the bakery next door and I bought a mini lotus seed paste moon cake. An afternoon well spent.

Credit Crunch Noodles Recipe

Packets of Asian brand noodles can make for a tasty and cheap meal and you'll feel less like a student if you add some fresh ingredients.

• One packet seafood flavour noodles
  
• Handful of beansprouts
  
• Handful of chopped coriander
  
• Handful of tiny, dried baby anchovies
  
• 1 egg
  
• 2 Finely chopped muschrooms
  
• 1 finely chopped spring onion or small leek
  
• 1 clove of garlic cut into slices
  
• Water
  
• Oil
  

First boil the egg for 8 minutes (nearly hard boiled but still a bit of a squidgey yolk). Set aside. Stir fry the baby anchovies, chopped mushrooms and spring onion for 2 mins then add the garlic slices. When nicely browned and fragrant remove from heat. Follow the instructions on the noodle packet to cook noodles. When done and in a bowl peel the egg and slice in half, place on top of noodles. Scatter the fried ingredients over the egg and noodles, then the beansprouts then the coriander. Add a wedge of lime if you want to get really sophisticated. Tuck in.

On the Wire mix 20th September 2008

Mr Steve Barker, journalist, broadcaster, dub connoisseur and current Beijing resident, very nicely asked me to contribute a one hour mix for his BBC Lancashire music show On The Wire. I am pleased to announce that my Lucky Cat mix will be aired on Saturday 20th September on BBC Radio Lancashire on 103.9, 95.5 & 104.5 FM and on 855 & 1557 AM and on local digital radio (all of these apply to Lancashire residents otherwise check the podcast or blog links below).
Podcast here:
http://odeo.com/channels/47901/rss.xml
Blog here:
http://otwradio.blogspot.com
About Steve Barker
BBC Lancashire page
http://14tracks.com - Steve's selections

Gratuitous Tony Leung Chiu Wai pic

from the upcoming John Woo film Red Cliff

Books of Interest

Some books I have enjoyed in recent times:

The Wind Up Bird Chronicle - Haruki Murakami
Atmospheric, weird, Japanese novel. Some startling imagery and Lynch-esque surreal story lines. Some of the novel focuses on the Japanese WWII history and at times I found the horrific war events hard to read. However I soldiered on (pun intended) and found the characters' stories enthralling. It's a long read but worth it in the end, it will have you thinking about the characters and the events long after you have read the last page. Just one more criticism, too many sandwich descriptions! More tofu please.

Journey to the West - Cheng'En Wu
Monkey. Pigsy. Sandy. Tripitaka. All the gang are here! After seeing the Japanese TV show 'Monkey Magic' as a child I was fascinated to read the original text (well, a translated and heavily abbreviated version). A truly wonderful and inspiring read. Which reminds me I saw that someone has kindly uploaded the animated film Uproar in Heaven to youtube. Check it out here, beautiful animation:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXUsvPvLUKw

Buddha - Osamu Tezuka
The life of Buddha (the 5th century BC Indian prince Siddhartha Gautama) told in 8 volumes of Manga. Drawn beautifully by the 'don dada' of Manga himself Tezuka. Addictive reading, it seems a challenge at first but speeds by. Jokes a plenty too. Thanks to Navindh for lending me the books.

Lucky Cat 16th October 2007

Teaser Trailer for Chen Kaige's Mei Lanfang Biopic

Originally it was rumoured that Tony Leung Chiu Wai was set to play the lead in this biopic about the Peking Opera star Mei Lanfang. Leon Lai actually takes the lead role, leaving Tony busy filming Red Cliff with John Woo. This trailer is really just some stills put together (a montage if you will). One day I will have my make up done like that!

Tibetan Films on @ ICA

The ICA in London has a season of Tibetan films, see:
www.ica.org.uk/
Kekexili: Mountain Patrol is showing which I thoroughly recommend. A beautiful and powerful film about the patrol assigned to protect the rare Tibetan antelope. I saw this film a few years ago and it only received a limited release here which was a shame. Unfortunately all too common with Asian movies here in the UK.

In the Mood Party Photos

Thanks to all who came down to Scooterworks for the In the Mood Party on Saturday 14th June. It was a great night with some fabulous cheongsams sported. Congratulations to contest winner Sagra who had the best heartbroken yearning pose! Thank you to Nick and Karen for their photography, here are some examples, to see more go to:
www.nickgwyer.com/scooter_work_06_08/index.html

Lucky Cat Episode 3, 9th Oct 2007

Visible Chinese web site entry

Mark Wu (who does the excellent blog One Inch Punch) has created a new web site called Visible Chinese. The site is a directory of individuals who have contributed to the UK's Chinese culture. I am delighted to announce that I have been listed on the web site:
http://www.visiblechinese.com/website/profile/zoe_baxter/

Third Circle of CAS Festival

Dance Now is at Sadler's Wells this Friday 13th Saturday 14th June, 8pm (Lilian Baylis Theatre). Chinatown Arts Space has produced this event in partnership with Sadler's Wells.

It's the culmination of two weeks intensive exchange between celebrated Guangdong Modern Dance Co's Liu Qi (choreographer / dancer) and gay British Vietnamese choreographer / dancer Anh Ngoc Nguyen, exploring the themes of connection & renewal.

Joining them are exciting British Chinese composer Suki Mok (heard interviewed on Lucky Cat early this year) and British HK dancer Maggie Kwan.

Lucky Cat Episode 2nd October 2007

Lucky Cat Party

Far East Film Festival

The Tiger Festival runs 29th May - 8th June in London at the ICA and Brighton.
Highlights include a documentary on Chinese Hip Hop Follow Your Heart, a Thai comedy 7 Days to Leave My Wife (pictured) and a Japanese musical Memories of Matsuko. Plus the Johnny To schizo police thriller Mad Detective and if that's not enough how about a very big monster in the Korean D-War?
See www.tigerfestival.com for details.

Koo Mei 顧媚

I recently purchased this Koo Mei record, lovely. Very In The Mood for Love. Koo Mei is on the Shanghai Lounge Divas CD and was a very popular singer in the 50's and 60's. You can see a clip of her singing in a Shaw Brothers movie (I presume as the logo keeps appearing!) on You Tube:

Singalong if you can read Chinese! More about Koo Mei's film career here:
http://www.hkcinemagic.com/en/people.asp?id=3247

Lucky Cat Series 2 Episode 1 - Listen Again

Click here to get your own player.


I'm going to be putting up all the episodes from Series 2 of Lucky Cat Sept 2007 - March 2008. Here is the first one. You can look up the recipe featured on this very blog.

Siao Fong Fong and Pals - Hong Kong Girl Group Tastic

Scooterworks Thai New Year Party

Here are some pics from the Songkran party at Scooterworks. Find more here: http://www.nickgwyer.com/sw/
Thanks to Nick and Karen for their happy snapping.

Five Circles Festival continues 18th April

Chinatown Arts Space present the second performance from their Five Circles Festival. (The first was the Dragon Tongue Squad, Kevin Quan and Suki Mok show). At the Royal Opera House once again:

Classic Film, Contemporary Score (UK/China)
Friday 18 April 2008, 8pm
Linbury Studio Theatre at the Royal Opera House
£12 Adults, £8 Students & ROH Access List, £5 Standing

World premiere by four British Chinese composer/musicians Chi2, Jiang Li and Kimho Ip of an exciting new score for the award-winning Chinese silent movie Song of the Fishermen (1934).

Royal Opera House Box Office: 020 7304 4000
Online booking: www.roh.org.uk