Episodes

  • Xinjiang Series | A doctor's healing bowl and Xinjiang's famous lamb pilaf

    Xinjiang Series | A doctor's healing bowl and Xinjiang's famous lamb pilaf
    Oct 14 2025
    Over a thousand years ago, an aging doctor discovered that sometimes the best medicine comes in the form of food. In this episode of "Chinese Folk Tales: Tales on a Plate", we follow the story of Shou Zhua Fan – Xinjiang's fragrant lamb pilaf eaten with bare hands which is a dish that heals, nourishes, and forges community connections. More than a dish, it's a story you can taste.
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    5 mins
  • Xinjiang Series | A roadside chicken dish-turned Xinjiang's culinary icon

    Xinjiang Series | A roadside chicken dish-turned Xinjiang's culinary icon
    Oct 10 2025
    Tender chicken, spicy chilies, saucy potatoes, and chewy noodles – all piled high on one massive plate. More than just food, Big Plate Chicken is a tale of drivers, highways, and the irresistible joy of sharing a meal. In this episode of "Chinese Folk Tales: Tales on a Plate", we dish out the flavorful story behind Dapanji – the "Big Plate Chicken" that won the hearts of many.
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    6 mins
  • Xinjiang Series | A shepherd's dough hat and Xinjiang's beloved nang

    Xinjiang Series | A shepherd's dough hat and Xinjiang's beloved nang
    Oct 7 2025
    Under the blazing sun of the Taklamakan Desert, one shepherd's clumsy mishap gave birth to a timeless treasure. In this bonus episode of "Chinese Folk Tales: Tales on a Plate", we trace the quirky legend of Turhong and his "dough hat" that turned into Xinjiang's most beloved flatbread – Nang. Crispy, golden, and steeped in tradition, Nang is more than food – it's a story shared and enjoyed across vast regions of the world.
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    8 mins
  • Xinjiang Series | Professor Zhang: "Loong" is not to be interpreted as a "dragon"

    Xinjiang Series | Professor Zhang: "Loong" is not to be interpreted as a "dragon"
    Oct 3 2025
    Prof. Zhang Juwen argues that translating "龙" as "dragon" perpetuates colonial discourse. The Chinese loong embodies benevolence, ethics, and hope, fundamentally different from the Western concept. True cross-cultural exchange requires a firm challenge to entrenched stereotypes.
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    19 mins
  • Xinjiang Series | Professor Zhang on how folk tales bridge cultures

    Xinjiang Series | Professor Zhang on how folk tales bridge cultures
    Sep 30 2025
    Folklore expert Professor Zhang Juwen reveals how ancient Chinese folk tales, while adapting, retain their core ethics, fostering global connections and face-to-face bonding in a digital world.
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    21 mins
  • Xinjiang Series | The secret behind Xinjiang's sweet grapes

    Xinjiang Series | The secret behind Xinjiang's sweet grapes
    Sep 26 2025

    Once upon a time, the desert kingdom lay choked by yellow dust from raging sandstorms, waiting for a miracle to change its fate. How did it transform into a land renowned for its sweet fruits? This episode reveals the answer. For more captivating tales and videos, follow us on Facebook.
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    17 mins
  • Xinjiang Series | The singing tree

    Xinjiang Series | The singing tree
    Sep 23 2025
    Have you ever wondered how the very first stringed instrument came into being? Maybe this story can explain the birth of the very special Dombra. For more captivating tales and videos, follow us on Facebook.
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    13 mins
  • Xinjiang Series | Tale of Boston Lake: the trial of love

    Xinjiang Series | Tale of Boston Lake: the trial of love
    Sep 19 2025
    When times get tough, the Dragon King descends from Heaven to battle the drought – but the arrival of a mysterious demon girl throws everything into disarray. For more captivating tales and videos, follow us on Facebook.
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    19 mins