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Yin and Yang in Chinese Takeaway Food

The concept of Yin and Yang is very well known in Chinese culture and it means the complementary pairing of forces. The concept prevails in all areas of Chinese society and cooking food is no exception.
The basic philosophy of yin and yang runs through Chinese food and the basic idea is to ensure that the colours, flavours and textures are balanced and effective. Specific foods are thought to have either yin (or cooling) properties or yang (or heating) properties. The requirement is to eat a diet that balances the two properties.


So when you are selecting from your local Chinese menu, think carefully about the balance of foods. The challenge is to consume a diet that contains a healthy balance between the two forces. An example is when you are being treated by an Oriental physician for heartburn, which the physician will diagnose as being caused by consuming an excess of yang foods (i.e. spicy). The “cure” will therefore be a prescription for antacid herbal teas which will be intended to provide the balancing yin forces. The Chinese consider all foodstuffs as being dominant in either yin or yang and this is applied not only to the type of food being considered but also the method of cooking.


An example of yin cooking methods includes boiling, poaching and steaming. Yang methods include deep frying, roasting and stir-frying. Once you extend this idea to the actual foods being cooked then yin foods are items such as cucumber, crab, duck, watercress and bean sprouts. Yang foods include mushrooms, wine, ginger, chicken and beef.
Both western and eastern medicine exhorts the value of eating a balanced diet but they mean fundamentally different things. The Chinese view is that every person is yin or yang to varying degrees and to maintain a balance, the diet should be tuned to suit the individual. This will vary according to your age, gender and level of activity. The trick is to understand your balancing force, either yin or yang, and then eat the opposite. If you are more yin, then eat predominantly yang foods. Women, for example, are usually more yin than yang so they should choose more yang foods such as ginger, chicken and ginger. If it’s cold outside then eat more yang foods.
Whilst all this may sound strange to the western mind, is it any stranger than some of the weird and wonderful diets that we, in the western world, are prone to try?


So, the next time you look at your local Chinese takeaway menu, consider your yin and yang and choose accordingly! You never know – your health might improve as a result.

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Phoenix Palace

3-5 Glentworth Street , London, Other NW1 5PG
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
The best dimsum ever! - 2009-12-06 11:27:26

Review:
I chanced on this little gem a few years ago and now it has become an extension of my own home. At Phoenix Palace you are greeted with a genuine warm smile by members of staff who truly care. The restaurant is spacious and cosy and wth ample seating all round. Private parties or bookings are well catered for if booked in advance. The food is simply to die for. On offer is dimsum from mid-day and right upt o late in the afternoon. The dimsum is well prepared, tasty and fresh. Careful planning and time has gone into preparing the food and each dimsum portion retains its own characteristic and signature. You cannot go wrong with any of the food so go ahead and order anything you like and you will be pleasantly surprised. A la carte is available throughout the day but my personal preference is dimsum. Try the Vietnamese spring rolls, or prawn dumpligs. for the adventurous, chicken feet are a must. Phoenix Palace delivers locally and take away is available. If you are visiting London then Phoenix Palace is a must, go ahead and enjoy!

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