A Gastronomic Journey: Delighting in the Fusion Flavors of Halal Chinese Food

If you want to eat Halal food in a Houston restaurant, you don’t have to stick to Pakistani and Mediterranean restaurants. Many other cuisines from around the world may be made Halal. You can also find halal Chinese food.

For example, here at Alings Chinese Bistro, we serve Halal Indo-Chinese food.

What is Halal Food?

A quick detour for readers who don’t know.

Halal translates to “permissible” and speaks of food prepared in accordance with Islamic dietary laws.

This means the meat was handled and slaughtered properly, prayed over correctly, and has been kept away from certain impure substances. Halal foods, such as dairy products, have been kept away from impure substances.

Certain meats are entirely prohibited, such as pork and all its byproducts.

Many readers get halal food confused with kosher food. They are similar concepts but not the same. Kosher food is food prepared in accordance with Jewish law, which does not have exactly the same rules as Muslim law.

What is Halal Chinese Food? What is Halal Indian Food?

With over 200 million Muslims in India and up to 28 million Muslims in China, it should be no surprise that Halal cooking methods should be found in China. It even has its own name: Qingzhen Cai food.

In fact, halal Chinese food has been available in China for over 1,000 years since Islam came to China during the Tang dynasty. Many Arabic people settled in the region, becoming known as the Hui people.

In addition to preparing the food properly, halal Chinese food often combines traditional Middle Eastern flavors with Chinese dishes to create something that is entirely new.

In addition, Indian cuisine almost always adheres to halal guidelines as a matter of course; Islam has been a part of Indian culture since the 7th century.

Where can I find a Halal Food Restaurant in Sugar Land, TX?

You can eat Halal Indo-Chinese food (halal Indian food and halal Chinese food) here at Alings Chinese Bistro restaurant. We don’t serve pork products but have a wide variety of properly slaughtered beef and chicken dishes for you to enjoy. We also offer a wide variety of vegetarian dishes.

Try favorites like Chili Beef, Crispy Beef, Manchurian Beef, Garlic Chicken, General Tso Chicken, or an incredible Vegetarian Manchurian. Or, chow down with a Chop-Suey. We’ve been serving up incredible halal meals since 2011, and we couldn’t have done it if we didn’t deliver an incredible flavor profile well worth experiencing.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to tantalize your taste buds with our exquisite halal Chinese food at Alings Chinese Bistro. Our experienced chefs passionately craft each dish, ensuring it meets the highest halal standards without compromising on flavor. Whether you’re a meat lover or prefer vegetarian options, we have an extensive menu that caters to all palates. Contact us at +1 281-242-0432 to experience the delightful fusion of halal Chinese cuisine. We’re here to help you satisfy your cravings for authentic and mouthwatering halal food.

Embracing a Flavorful Future: The Promise of Chinese Chicken Import to the U.S.

A new trade deal is bringing Chinese chicken to the U.S. Cooked chicken from birds grown and raised in China are going to be sent to America, and it’s really all about the beef – American beef.

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross announced that the U.S. beef producers will be exporting to China’s nearly 1.4 billion consumers in exchange for Chinese chicken imports. However, this new deal is raising concerns about China’s long history with food safety.

Background of the Chinese Chicken Trade Deal

China has had a poor track record with food safety. Rat meat was being sold as lamb, baby formula was contaminated with melamine (killed 6 babies and sickened hundreds of thousands), and oil from gutters were being sold as cooking oil. In the first three quarters of 2016, China’s Food and Drug Administration found half a million cases of food-safety violations! In 2014, a Chinese factory was selling stale meat to large international food chains like McDonald’s and KFC, but they were repackaging the meat with new expiration dates. Luckily, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service made its way to China to train Chinese officials in meat safety.

The Chinese Market for Beef

The Chinese have developed a huge craving for beef, and the U.S. hasn’t been included in that market ever since mad cow disease cropped up in America in 2013. Even South Korea, Japan, and Mexico banned U.S. beef imports. All of these countries eventually lifted the ban – except for China. That’s why this is kind of a big deal! Ross said this new deal is opening at least a $2.5 billion market for the U.S.

Negotiations and Deadlines

The Lengthy Negotiation Process

Many people believe the Chinese waited such a long time to lift its ban so that they could offer the U.S. a negotiation – Chinese chicken imports. The negotiation has been going on for over a decade and was even stalled by Congress because of worries about China’s food safety practices. American beef producers, however, are ecstatic that they can finally send beef to China (the world’s largest market) once again.

The Chinese Chicken and its Food Safety

Starting mid-July, the U.S. will receive final clearing to export beef to China. Around this time will also be the deadline for the U.S. to finalize the guidelines for the chicken imports. The biggest question is why cooked chicken? Why not raw chicken?

China has had a long problem with outbreaks of Avian Flu, which is believed to spread to the U.S. if raw Chinese chicken is imported. The Avian Flu starts in pigs, spreads to poultry, and evidently infects humans. There’s no telling what the Avian Flu could do in America – contaminate our plants or maybe even spread to our birds. We decided to compromise with China. Thus, the reasoning behind cooked chicken.

Ensuring Safety and Consumer Choice

Food Safety Inspections and Standards

Apparently, a country has to meet certain food-safety inspections that are equivalent to America’s in order to ship meat and poultry products here. The determination process for China is already underway, and the trade deal expedites the process. China is also trying to meet our standards for their inspection for slaughter facilities, but that is a much longer process.

Reassurance for Consumers

American’s shouldn’t worry too much. The USDA is going to great lengths to ensure the safety of Americans. They’re even inspecting plants that could process the chicken shipments. Even though we will be seeing Chinese chicken imports, they won’t be taking over the shelves in our grocery stores. People still favor U.S. food producers! It’s also cheaper and more economical to raise chicken domestically and sell it than to buy imported chicken.

The Future of International Trade: Opportunities for American Exporters

Increasing international trade is not going to end any time soon. President Trump even said he will be giving American exporters a better chance to compete by re-negotiating trade deals. We saw this happen in this trade deal! How do you think America got the opportunity to sell beef to China once again?

If there’s one thing that will make grocery shopping a little easier for you, just think of all the great lengths our administration is going to in order to make our health a priority. We actually sent professional food inspectors to China! Not just to inspect their ways of cooking, farming, or producing, but to also teach them the proper ways to do all those things in accordance to proper safety guidelines.

So next time you’re out shopping for meat, look at the label. Was this meat made in the U.S.? If American meat sounds like a better option to you, then take it! If you’re going out to eat, opt for vegetarian dishes if you’re weary about the meat. Lucky for you, Aling’s chooses the finest meats, but we also have vegetarian plates that taste delicious! If you’re in the Houston or Sugar Land area, come taste the finest Chinese food! Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at +1 281-242-0432 and join us for lunch, and we’ll help you find the most delectable meal for your palate.

Overcoming China’s Food Crisis: A Path Towards Sustainable Nutrition

In the United States, we love Chinese cuisine. Interestingly, China feels similarly about American food! The 1.4 billion people in China are changing their eating habits. They’ve been developing a diet that is similar to the American diet, and Chinese companies are looking around for all kinds of food from bacon to bananas! The Chinese are building up an appetite that is changing the way the world grows and sells food.

China has been buying agricultural land in developing nations, but the farms and ranches abroad might not be enough. The Chinese populations are growing in Asia, Africa, and South America. This is another 2 billion people who will be making their way into the generational food gap. This means China needs to ensure the world grows enough affordable food for 9 billion people.

The Role of Technology in Addressing the Crisis

The answer? Technology. China’s agriculture industry went from tiny rice plots to large factories. The economy boomed. Millions joined a wealthy middle class and began to eat more vegetables and pork. Meat used to be a rarity in China, but now it’s so common that many people consider it to be unhealthy. Today, there are over 100 million Chinese living a middle-class lifestyle. By 2030, there are expected to be 850 million Chinese living that lavish lifestyle. The country’s vast development began to pollute food and the environment.

Insufficient Arable Land and Environmental Issues

The Chinese can’t produce enough safe food for its growing population if they are eating like Americans. It takes about 1 acre to feed the average U.S. consumer. China only has about 0.2 acres of arable land per citizen, including fields degraded by pollution. According to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization and the OECD, China lost over 6 percent of its farmland between 1997 and 2008. The government continues to take fields for building developments. Almost 20 percent of China’s remaining arable land is contaminated.

Future Projections and Global Impact

Demographia predicts by 2050, 14 of the world’s 20 biggest metropolises will be in Asia and Africa. The United Nations says by then, the world could have as many as 9.7 billion mouths to feed. If we take into account the changing diets, we will need to raise global food output by 70 percent from 2009 levels.

China’s Reliance on Food Imports

China now relies heavily on food imports because of their new diet. Since 2005, Chinese firms have spent almost $52 billion on overseas agriculture deals. Almost daily, Chinese investors are in the news for snatching northern cattle stations in Australia for multi-million-dollars.

Studies have shown that as China becomes richer, the demand rises for luxury cars, smart technology, AND for Western proteins, like dairy products and beef. Beef sales have increased 19,000 percent in the past decade! China even dropped soybeans from its self-sufficiency list in 2014.

Potential Solutions

China’s best option for now is to improve their diet. In 2015, the National Health and Family Planning Commission encouraged citizens to cut back on meat and unhealthy foods and eat more vegetables and fruit to counter rising levels of obesity and diabetes.

In just 5 years, China has become the world’s second largest beef importer! The imports are expected the grow by 15 percent just this year. Local chef Panos Kalamidas claims international travel influenced the meat-craze. Most of the younger Chinese are very informed about quality and look for brand names like Ranger’s Valley when choosing meats.

Food Safety Concerns and Consumer Awareness

From gutter oil to fake eggs to contaminated strawberries, the long list of food safety incidents proves why the Chinese are worried about the food they can buy and eat. Some families are weary to buy food in supermarkets because of the pesticides, pollutants, and fertilizers being used. Being able to grow your own food at home is considered a luxury.

Looking for a taste of authentic Chinese cuisine while staying informed about China’s food crisis? Look no further than Alings Chinese Bistro! Our restaurant offers a delightful array of traditional Chinese dishes prepared with fresh ingredients and exquisite flavors. Whether you’re craving Szechuan specialties or Cantonese classics, our skilled chefs are dedicated to delivering a culinary experience that will satisfy your taste buds. Visit Alings Chinese Bistro today and indulge in the rich culinary heritage of China while supporting efforts to address the food crisis. For more information or assistance, please contact us at +1 281-242-0432. Together, let’s enjoy great food and contribute to a sustainable future.

Perfect Harmony: Unforgettable Chinese Food and Drinks Pairing

Whether you’re a strict vegetarian or a casual explorer of our Chinese seafood menu or a wild carnivore, we have a list of delicious Chinese dishes for everyone! Some might say pairing together Chinese food and drinks is a difficult art form. However, everyone does it!

If you’re a foodie, you probably love trying new things. Still, some people might try one thing they absolutely love and stay loyal to it. That is fine, but a little boring if you’re also sticking to water! If you have a dish you love, try pairing it with a drink that will either balance the flavor of your meal or enhance it. A bold steak will go well with a dry glass of red wine, but Chinese food and drinks pairing can be a bit harder to master. It’s all about trial and error, but sometimes what you think is a weird combination could pleasantly surprise you.

Expertly Crafted Chinese Food and Drinks Pairing

Don’t stress about finding the right pairings because we’ve got you covered. If you’re a returning guest or a first-timer, we have created some wonderful food and drink pairings for you to try! Switch up your ordinary routine, and try one of our one-of-a-kind cold drinks with your meal. It’ll be sure to leave you wanting more.

Traditional Chinese Vegetable or Chicken Chop-Suey with Jasmine Tea

You can’t have traditional Chinese food without traditional Jasmine Tea. Our Traditional Chinese Vegetable Chop-Suey is a blend of fresh vegetables tossed in delightful soya-based gravy served on a bed of crispy noodles. If you’re looking for something a little more filling, order our Chicken Chop-Suey. The flavor is just as incredible! Plus, Jasmine Tea offers many health benefits like antioxidants, stress relief, and digestion. If you want to add a little kick to your meal, sprinkle some chili on top and mix it in with your noodles.

Szechuan Beef with Fresh Lime Soda

Here’s a treat for all you spicy food lovers! What better drink is there to give your mouth a refreshing relief from this spicy dish? Our Schezwan Beef is a perfect blend of meaty and spicy. The key ingredients for Schezwan are garlic and chili peppers. Our Fresh Lime Soda is prepared fresh by blending together hand-squeezed limes, sugar, and sparkling water. This is perfect to sweeten your pallet a little bit if the spices are getting a little too hot for you.

Honey Chili Shrimp with Lemonade

Can’t decide if you want something spicy or sweet? Why not both? The Honey Chili Shrimp features lightly battered shrimp tossed in our honey chili sauce – the perfect blend of sweet and spicy. Honey is becoming a staple in cooking today because of its natural sweetness. Pair this dish with a glass of refreshing lemonade and your taste buds will go wild.

Orange Chicken with Exotic Passion

Mix a classic plate with a modern drink, and get a unique pairing you’ll love. Orange Chicken is a popular dish, but it can be hard to pair because of its tangy flavor. Adding a natural, sweet drink will add a unique taste to your meal. Our Exotic Passion drink is a creamy medley of tropical fruit juices blended with ice shavings.

Chicken Hot Garlic Sauce with Mango Burst

Garlic sauce dishes and mango drinks are ‘a must’ Chinese food and drinks pairing. If you’ve never had the Chicken Hot Garlic Sauce here at Aling’s, you’ve REALLY been missing out! A fiery, yet tangy and sweet garlic sauce mixed with fresh chicken and vegetables will leave your mouth watering. Try it with Mango Burst, a blend of mango, cream, milk, and Aling’s pearls.

Lunch Specials

Check our menu for any Chinese food and drinks pairing, beat the dinner crowd, and visit us for lunch! We have lunch specials Tuesday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. All of our lunch specials are under $9! Get the best deal of the day with your choice of Steamed or Fried Rice, a crispy Vegetable Spring Roll, and Corn Soup or Hot & Sour Soup with your meal.

Here are a few extra pairings for our lunch items:
• Chili Chicken with Fresh Lime Soda
• Luncheon Shrimp Hot Garlic Sauce with Lemonade
• Chicken in Black Bean Sauce with Exotic Passion
• Vegetable Manchurian with Jasmine Tea
• Luncheon Special Chicken Noodles with Mango Burst

Visit Alings Chinese Bistro today and embark on a culinary journey of delectable Chinese food and drinks. Our experienced chefs and friendly staff are dedicated to providing you with an unforgettable dining experience. Whether you’re seeking traditional favorites or innovative creations, our menu has something to satisfy every craving. For any inquiries or assistance with your Chinese food and drinks choices, our team is here to help. Contact us at +1 281-242-0432 to explore our menu and make a reservation. Come and discover the true essence of Chinese food and drinks pairing at Aling’s Chinese Bistro.

Savoring Diversity: The Rich Mosaic of Chinese American Cuisine

Chinese food has become a staple in American culture, sparking the blend of the two. This combination is what we call Chinese American cuisine. Like all monumental moments in history (and yes, chicken fried rice is monumental), there are interesting stories behind it. Here is the history of Chinese American Cuisine.

The Gold Rush and the Emergence of Chinese Immigrants in America

In the early 1850’s, the gold rush attracted many people from all over the world to the bright cities of California. Rumors of the gold rush opportunities in the United States spread all the way to Southern China and began the wave of Chinese immigrants to America.

The first Chinese immigrants were traders, grocers, merchants, and restaurant owners. With them, they brought their vibrant culture (including the best part of all culture, FOOD). The emergence of Chinese restaurants–known as Chow Chow houses–attracted the attention of many California residents due to not only their great flavors but also their excellent customer service and cleanliness. The formations of “China Towns” grew all around the city of San Francisco.

Fun Fact- The Rice industry began to boom and was worth over a million dollars in 1865.

Challenges and the Rise of Chinese American Cuisine

As time went on, the Chinese became a targeted reason for declining wages and the shrinking job market for American Citizens. This led to the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act that prohibited Chinese laborers from entering the United States. Prejudice groups developed and Anti-Chinese food sentiment grew. However, the “Chop-Suey” dish became popularized quickly. This dish was a concoction of meat, veggies, and many other random ingredients. This was an American take on Chinese food; however, this dish is rarely recognized in authentic Chinese restaurants.

Despite these pitfalls, people’s hunger for Chinese cuisine didn’t waver. The Chinese Exclusion Act was repealed in 1943, and Americanized Chinese grew into boneless meats, deep-fried entrees, and sweet, savory sauces.

A New Era and the Influence of Skilled Chinese Chefs

In 1967, the era of Chinese American cuisine starts where Shun Lee Palace became the first Chinese restaurant to receive a four-star review from the New York Times. This started a wave of skilled Chinese chefs to the United States. In 1972, President Nixon fueled this wave by being the first American President to visit China since its revolution. This visit was aired on television, along with all the Chinese delicacies that the president had indulged in. Thus began a demand for Chinese American cuisine, and it has since taken off.

Today commonly recognizable elements of Chinese American cuisine dining include fortune cookies, orange chicken, fried rice, and more. According to the Chinese American Restaurant Association, there are roughly 45,000 restaurants, and Aling’s is at the top of the list (not because the list is in alphabetical order).

Aling’s Hakka Cuisine: The Fusion of Chinese and Indian Flavors

In March of 2011, Aling’s Hakka Cuisine opened its doors in Sugar Land, Texas. Aling’s is unique in the fact that it effectively blends the flavors and spices of Chinese cuisine with Indian cuisine in what is popularly known as “Chindian.”

Aling’s owners, Sam and Irfan Motiwala, got the idea to bring their native flavors to Texas. Their biggest task: deciding exactly which flavors to bring. The Moitwalas knew exactly what the missing piece of the puzzle was. It was their brother-in-law, Chef Gary Yan. Chef Gary Yan has worked all over the world and brought his own native flavor to the Aling’s menu.

The Aling’s clan wanted to bring home-cooked food to their community and enlisted the help of yet another Motiwala, Lin Motiwala. Chef Gary Yan and Chef Lin Motiwala serve as Aling’s executive chefs. The restaurant has become a large part of the family and even contains dishes created in the homes of the Yans and the Motiwalas. As Aling’s continues to grow, one thing remains the same–their dedication to authenticity and unique flavor.

Discover the vibrant history and flavors of Chinese American cuisine at Alings Chinese Bistro. Join us today and embark on a culinary journey that celebrates the fusion of cultures and the artistry of Chinese American cooking. Contact us now at +1 281-242-0432 to make a reservation or to explore our menu options.

Celebrate the Flavors: Chinese Festival, Holiday, and Their Culinary Delights

Both ancient and modern-day holidays are held highly in Chinese cultures. They are almost always associated with festivals that include many customs linked with religious devotions, superstitions, and myths. These festivals originally started as mysterious taboo events and, over time, have become for pleasure gatherings and celebrations.

Every celebration is unique in its implication to Chinese customs and its practices. One thing these traditional celebrations have in common: the presence of unique and cultural dishes. Here are Chinese festivals and the foods associated with them.
Caution: Mouth-watering may ensue

Most Recognizable

Chinese New Year

Now, commonly referred to as Spring Festival, Chinese New Year marks the start of the lunar new year, which is when there is the start of a new moon. Because of its dependence upon the moon, the new year celebration date changes from year to year.

During the Chinese New Year’s early years, all business came to a halt, and home and family became the central focus of the holiday’s observance time. Each year is named after one of the twelve zodiac animals in Chinese tradition. Each animal has attributes said to apply to the people born that year.

For Example- 2017 is the Year of the Rooster.
People born in a year of the Rooster are observant, hardworking, resourceful, courageous, talented, and confident.

However, the year of one’s birth zodiac is said to be the unluckiest according to Chinese tradition.
Here at Aling’s, we’ve got fortune cookies to help counteract that bad luck for you, Roosters!

Foods Associated with Chinese New Year

Foods- Chinese New Year is full of great foods and snacks.

Dayu Durou-meaning “whole fish” or “whole meat.”
The phrase you yu translates to “to have fish,” meaning surplus. This dish implies an abundant year! (Expand)

Dumplings (Jiaozi)
Dumplings are small pockets of dough usually filled with popular ingredients, such as pork, steamed vegetables, shrimp, and more. It is a big Chinese tradition for families to spend their time New Year’s Eve preparing the dumplings and then eating them at the turn of the year at midnight.

Long Noodles (Changshou Mian)
Changshou Mian translates to long-life noodles.
These noodles are held sacred during Chinese New Year and birthdays. They symbolize a long life of happiness and health. They are usually paired with bok choy and a simple broth.

Chinese New Year Cake(Niángāo)
Niangao translates to Year Cake
Nian Gao sounds like Higher Year, so some have said eating this cake is good luck. This cake can be eaten year-round, but it is traditionally eaten for Chinese New Year. Nian Gao is a rice cake that can be served in an either sweet or savory form.

Zhonghe Festival or Longtaitou Festival

This festival is popularly known as the Dragon Boat Festival (DBF). It welcomes the earliest signs and signals of Spring. It takes place during the second lunar month of the year.
It is tradition to:
Clean the house- after the first lunar month has come to an end, it is safe to sweep and clean the house, without ridding the good luck the Chinese New Year brought.

Get a haircut–similar to the superstitions associated with cleaning your house. It is now safe to cut your hair, without ridding the good luck that the new year has brought.

Foods Associated with Chinese Festival

And last by not least, eat great foods.

A tradition during this time is to eat Dragon foods.

Dumplings are called Dragon’s Ears (because well, they kind of look like ears, don’t they?).

Chinese pancakes are called Dragon’s scales.

Chinese noodles are called Dragon’s beard.

Like all Chinese Festivals, the foods and traditions vary by region. However, these are a few of the most beloved throughout Chinese culture.

Make your holiday celebrations even more memorable with a visit to Alings Chinese Bistro. Our restaurant is dedicated to serving authentic Chinese cuisine that beautifully captures the essence of traditional festivals. From sumptuous dishes that symbolize prosperity and good fortune during Chinese New Year to a delectable array of dumplings and noodles inspired by the DBF, our menu will take you on a culinary journey through the heart of Chinese culture.

Whether you’re planning a festive gathering or simply craving an exceptional dining experience, Alings Chinese Bistro is here to help you celebrate the holidays in true Chinese style. Contact us today at +1 281-242-0432 to reserve a table or inquire about our catering services. Embrace the flavors and traditions of Chinese festivals with Aling’s, your ultimate destination for an unforgettable dining experience.

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