Southern Barbarian is well known for its endless beer selection and amazing chicken wings. As good as those items are, though, they’re not especially Yunnanese. If you’ve been to Yunnan, you might think that’s a good thing, but if you’re looking for real authentic eats at the Barbarian, make sure you try the grilled carp (¥50), potato pancakes (¥16) or our hands-down favorite: “grandma’s” mashed potatoes. They’re not meant to be made like your grandma makes them. Rather, the potatoes take the traditional name for the dish in southwest China, where they’re reputedly just as good whether you’ve got teeth left or not. When made out in Yunnan, families will mash them with anything from ham to pepper corns, but Southern Barbarian keeps it simple, with just scallions and pickled veggies added to the freshly mushed potatoes. It’s slightly soupier than its Western counterpart, with none of the buttery body, and it gets a gentle sourness from the pickled vegetables. It’s also got a tiny spicy punch to it, owing to the chili powder that’s sprinkled within. They may not be like your grandma makes them, but they’re great, anyway.

by geofferson