Magical German Christmas Markets

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Blog 6 by Shin Shin Lung

I love German Christmas markets! They are the best in the world! Even mulled wine taste better in Germany! 😀 OK, maybe I am being a little bit biased but I can’t help myself since Germany is my adopted country! I love being in Germany this time of the year.

Christmas markets start every year after “Totensonntag” (Sunday of the Dead) and this year, the markets started on 26th November. There are many Christmas markets around Hamburg; there is even one opposite our school at Gerhart-Hauptmann Platz (next to Karstadt)!

To my surprise, there is a Chinese stall there selling Chinese pancakes! Talk about a multicultural society, eh?

My favourite Christmas Market in Hamburg is the Rathausmarkt Christmas Market. The market is open daily from 11am-9pm (Sunday to Thursday) and from 11am-10pm (Friday and Saturday). If you fancy seeing a flying Santa, make sure you are there at 4pm, 6pm and 8pm.

 

My favourite stall this year is the Flammlachs stall where you can enjoy smoked salmon in various way – my choice is in the trusty and safe breadroll. Super yummy!

 

 

 

 

The Best Chinese Restaurant in Hamburg

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Blog 5 by Shin Shin Lung

As a Chinese Australian, I feel I am qualified to judge that Mei Moon (www.meimoon.de) is the best Chinese restaurant in Hamburg!

Mei Moon

It is situated opposite the Hamburg Hauptbahnhof on Bremer Reihe. Opened in 2004, Mei Moon claims that it has over 400 dishes! I have yet to try all 400 dishes [ maybe that should be a personal goal? 🙂 ], but the dishes that I have tried are authentic and delicious with a Cantonese flair.

The Dim Sum is super and the à la carte menu is fantastic. The hawker style dishes are also very good.  Traditionally, Dim Sum is a brunch or lunch time affair but Mei Moon serves Dim Sum for lunch and dinner. If you have not tried Dim Sum before, I fully recommend it! It is like Chinese Tapas! You can pick from a variety of small bite-sized dishes for your culinary pleasure. It is also best when shared with friends.

With its charming traditional Chinese décor, the restaurant is always packed with locals and Asian tourists. So, if you are heading there during peak hour, try to book a table in advance.

To Labskaus or Not to Labskaus?

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Blog 4 by Shin Shin Lung

Whether you are here for a minute or a lifetime, you should try the infamous Northern German dish called Labskaus. This dish is as controversial as Marmite – some people love it, and others hate it! 

 

The main ingredients are salted meat or corned beef, potatoes, onions, beetroot, pickled gherkins, herring (matjes) and a fried egg. My Hamburger husband loves it but it is not my cup of tea.  It is an acquired taste and I have never eaten anything quite like it, so it is a little bit difficult to describe the taste without sounding too negative! 🙂 As a picture is worth a thousand words, check out my photo and decide for yourself.  To Labskaus or Not to Labskaus? – that is the question! 🙂