Belgian foodie spills the beans on waffles
There are plenty of ways to enjoy waffles in buy wow gold Beijing, and just as many ways to despise them. What was once as foreign a oddity is now a fixture here - despite the relative lack of true waffle-making know-how among the peddlers of that long-time breakfast staple.
Lifestyle recently managed to corner perhaps the most erudite waffle connoisseur in Beijing, Theirry De Dobbeleer, Belgium native and founder of Sanlitun hangout Beer Mania - and purveyor of the former "best waffle in Beijing" - to get the lowdown on some of our most burning waffle-related questions.
Are waffles really to Belgium what chuanr is to China?
De Dobbeleer says that waffles are ubiquitous throughout Belgium, mostly in and around Brussels, where little waffle stands dot the streets like stoplights. He describes them as a sort of afternoontea indulgence, a light snack usually enjoyed between lunch and dinner.
So, like chuanr, are there as many varieties as stars runescape gold in the sky?
The basic waffle usually comes in two distinct types. The Brussels-based concoction, made from a thin batter poured into the mold and heated until solid, is the more well known of the two and what you're almost certainly chomping into in any Beijing waffle repository.
The other formulation, originating from the Belgian city of Liege, is made from a more solid, dough-like mixture, rolled into a ball and squished into those famous waffle ridges. According to De Dobbeleer, the Brussels style can be dressed up with any number of toppings, though the classic fixin' is simply powdered sugar, while the Liege waffle's more sweet, almost caramel flavor is strong enough to be eaten without any help.
Any other shocking waffles factoids to share?
In addition to the expected milk, eggs, flour and sugar, true Belgian waffle batter should contain beer in equal proportions to the milk, which De Dobbeleer says this helps cut the "raw" flavor of the eggs. Naturally, he runescape money recommends a Belgian brew like Chimay, though he says whichever beer you choose should be one with a mild flavor - nothing that could possibly distract from the overall waffly goodness.
So where can we find the best waffles in Beijing?
Though De Dobbeleer has removed the "best waffle in Beijing" boast from his latest menu, citing the proliferation of shops around town that he has yet to try, he suspects that for true Belgian eats, no one else can hold a candle to him.
"When I started Beer Mania five years ago, you couldn't find waffles anywhere - I even had to import my waffle iron from Belgium," he said. "Nowadays there are a lot more, but runescape accounts customers still say we're the best in town."