Got some time to kill before going and exploring the French Concession. Food and food service here has been very interesting so far. Chinese food in China is not surprisingly very different than American Chinese food, there is not the sesame chicken or pork fried rice that are staples of American Chinese food that we have been able to find so far. The food is not so much greasy but oily, dishes that are a combination of meat (mostly pork) and vegetables are sauteed, I have not been able to find any sort of raw vegetables in the time I've been here. Breakfast is a little strange, there isn't that much variation in my opinion between the three meals, we have had fried eggs and hard boiled eggs at breakfast each morning, cereal exists but is expensive by Chinese standards and coffee for those who want it is hard to come by.
There are also a lot of dishes consisting of chewy/bread type balls that are sometimes filled with pork or bean paste. They're pretty good too.
Eating out is pretty cool, Chinese food is shared family style, often there is a large "lazy susan" in the center of the table where the food is placed and then you dish a variety of foods onto your small plate. Napkins are hard to come by, usually they give you the equivalent of a wet wipe to use at the start of the meal, but no dry napkins for the course of the meal. They also only give you one menu (I assume usually only one person orders for the table) and then the waitress stands by the table until signaled to come take the order.
Bought a bottle of wine at dinner last night and we were asked if we wanted red or white, but they did not offer us a selection to choose from but simply brought us a bottle and poured it all before any of us tasted. Not sure is this typical custom or just because we are American.
One positive for sure is the food is certainly cheap, haven't paid more than four dollars for a full meal yet.
Feel free to leave me questions and comments, I'll write again soon.
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So who's been doing the ordering when you only get one menu? I assume the menus are in Chinese, so how do you know what you're ordering? Does the service staff speak English or are you eating out with people who already speak a little Chinese? How's the whole chopstick thing going? And please tell me you're not wiping your hands on your pants! Sounds like you're having a great experience. Love you!
ReplyDeleteHey Kiddo,
ReplyDeleteWow, seems like just the other day I was gettin' a great big bear hug from you in Cindy's room!
I remember being in Chinatown in NYC with a Chinese American friend and the restaurant was much the style that you describe, though I'm sure it cost more than 4.00! I bet your dad's wheels will start turning, "hmmmm...a lazy susan in the middle of the tables, hey Larry, I've got a new idea!'
I may be headed over with Diego to your folks house later for a play date with the pups.
I already went snowshoeing this am with Deigo along Ocean Drive so I'll be happy to sit with your mom and drink coffee and let the dogs play,
It's been fun so far keeping track of you, thanks for sharing
xoA
Usually if someone can speak Chinese, they order. If not, we pass the menu around and we each order something, often there are pictures that accompany the chinese characters in the menu. Chopsticks are not too bad, there is a spoon availible also for soupy type dishes, but don't use that too often. Had Chicken feet w/ dinner last night... little strange.
ReplyDelete-AL
ohhh yum, chicken feet - that sounds very crunchy. do chicken feet even have any meat on them??
ReplyDeleteThe snow is blowing up a storm today and most everything is shut down so I finally have time to get onto your blog and be in touch. I am happy that you like the family style of eating. Ruth will tell you that I learned how to eat like that so well in Chinatown, NYC that now wherever I am and wherever I go I do the same.... much to the embarrassment of all who went intro the restaurant with me. Sometime I am left alone... with the lazy susan!
ReplyDeleteWe think of you on this adventure and are glad you get to see another part of the world and how differently people think and see. We are all human beings but our cultures sure highlights different qualities and meanings of life.