In this episode, guest host Herb (fellow language learner and all around good guy) joins us for a discussion of food and summer travel. In this elementary level lesson, we learn how to say "Signature Dishes" as well as talk about some classic Chinese dishes.

Vocabulary:

1. 暑假 (Shǔjià) – Summer Vacation

2. 一段时间 (Yīduàn shíjiān) - For a while

3. 好几年 (Hǎo jǐ nián) – Several Years

4. 推荐 (Tuījiàn) -- To Recommend

5. 餐馆 (Cānguǎn) - Restaurant(s)

6. 出名 (Chūmíng) – Well-known, famous

7. 楼外楼 (Lóu wài lóu) - is a traditional restaurant in Hangzhou, China, located on Gushan in the middle of the West Lake. Established in the Qing dynasty (1848), it has been named a "China Time-honored Brand" by the Chinese government.

8. 西湖醋鱼 (Xīhú cù yú) West Lake Fish w/Vinegar Sauce

9. 东坡肉 (Dōng pō ròu) Dong Po Pork

10. 招牌菜 (Zhāopái cài) Signature Dish(es)

11. 一道菜 (Yīdào cài) a dish

12. 逛 (Guàng) to stroll, ramble, roam, go for a walk

13. 西湖 (Xīhú) West Lake

Dialogue:

A: 今年暑假，你有什么打算？

Jīnnián shǔjià, nǐ yǒu shén me dǎsuàn? What are your plans for summer vacation?

B：我打算和父母一起去苏州，杭州旅行一段时间。

Wǒ dǎsuàn hé fùmǔ yīqǐ qù Sūzhōu, Hángzhōu lǚxíng yīduàn shíjiān.

I’m planning to travel with my parents to Hangzhou and Suzhou for a little while.

A. 真的吗？我对杭州非常熟悉。 我在那里待了好几年呢。

Zhēn de ma? Wǒ duì hángzhōu fēicháng shúxī. Wǒ zài nàlǐ dàile hǎojǐ nián ne.

Really? I’m very familiar with Hangzhou. I stayed there for a few years.

B：是吗？那你可不可以推荐一些好吃的餐馆和好玩的地方呢？

Shì ma? Nà nǐ kěbùkěyǐ tuījiàn yīxiē hǎo chī de cānguǎn hé hǎo wán dì dìfāng ne?

Really? So can you recommend some good restaurants and fun places to visit?

A：说到餐馆，最出名的就是楼外楼了。西湖醋鱼和东坡肉是他们的招牌菜。非吃不可！

杭州最出名的茶叶是西湖龙井，甚至有一道菜叫龙井虾仁，就是由茶叶做出来的。

Shuō dào cānguǎn, zuì chūmíng de jiùshì Lóu Wài Lóu le. Xīhú Cù Yú hé Dōng Pō Ròu shì tāmen de zhāopái cài. Fēi chī bù kě! Hángzhōu zuì chūmíng de cháyè shì Xīhú Lóngjǐng, shènzhì yǒu yīdào cài jiào Lóngjǐng Xiārén, jiùshì yóu cháyè zuò chūlái de.

When it comes to restaurants, Louwailou is the most famous one. West Lake Vinegar Fish and Dongpo Pork are their signature dishes. They are an absolute must try! The most well-known tea in Hangzhou is West Lake Longjing. There is even a dish called Longjing Shrimp, which is made from tea.

B：太好了！我最喜欢喝茶了。看来我们去杭州的时候，一定不能错过这家餐馆呢！那。。玩儿的呢？

Tài hǎole! Wǒ zuì xǐhuān hē chále. Kàn lái wǒmen qù hángzhōu de shíhòu, yīdìng bùnéng cuòguò zhè jiā cānguǎn ne! Nà.. Wán er de ne?

A:当然就是逛西湖了！Dāngrán jiùshì guàng Xīhúle! You have to take a stroll around West Lake!