Last Orders: Richard Liu, Founder, Canadian Alumni Network and Canadians in China

After 25 years in Beijing, Richard Liu is moving back to his native Canada with his family this summer. He considers tough culinary choices and assembles classics for his final meal in the capital.

Venue
The Great Wall of China. I’ve done so many awesome events at that iconic locale for over two decades. I would invite the restaurants up to host a food pavilion, so why not close with a bang? And of course the Great Wall would offer the best spot to watch a sunset on the last day and hopefully without a hazardous pollution level.

Starters
Jianbing guozi (煎饼果子) with youtiao (油条) by the guys who sell from Nanlougu Xiang as they remind me of my good old student days. A Red Lantern Cocktail by Mix at the Four Seasons Hotel kicks off the drinking with a classy touch of erguotou.

Main course
China is so vast and it’s cuisine is so varied, so the mains would be a compilation of well-loved dishes, from fresh noodles stretched by a Haidilao noodle entertainer; handmade guoba jiaozi (锅巴饺子) in colorful purpleskins from Baoyuan Jiaozi; gongbao jiding (宫保鸡丁) from Xiao Wangfu; a variety of dim sums from Tang Palace; juicy racks of barbecue pork by Dickson’s; and traditional Peking duck by Quanjude.

Dessert
Simple yet sweet mango pudding with sago (西米露) from Tai Hing Private Kitchen, and bingtang hulu (冰 糖葫芦) from the stall in Qianmen.

Entertainment
We’ll kick off the evening, literally, with martial artists (male sword and female whip) as the sun sets over a variety of Canadian wines and spirits. I always appreciate traditional Chinese music with the erhu and zither, which would ease us through the dinner. That would be followed by one Peking Opera act from Farewell My Concubine just before dessert. After dessert, a wicked mask changer would perform together with a live female drum performance group. Finally, a spectacular fireworks display closes the evening on an explosive high note. I did say “close with a bang.”

Catch one of Richard’s final Beijing softball games. Check beijingsoftball.com for details.