Comments on: 12 Days in China. I think? http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2007/08/13/12-days-in-china/ The no-nonsense China expat and traveller community. Sun, 27 Jul 2008 00:56:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: China Blogging - Living in China, studying Chinese, web design and development. » 2007 Year in Review, and a Look Ahead http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2007/08/13/12-days-in-china/#comment-8070 China Blogging - Living in China, studying Chinese, web design and development. » 2007 Year in Review, and a Look Ahead Mon, 24 Dec 2007 23:51:21 +0000 http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2007/08/13/12-days-in-china/#comment-8070 [...] a two week vacation, and played host to my brother. Thanks for dropping over [...] [...] a two week vacation, and played host to my brother. Thanks for dropping over [...]

]]> By: China Blogging - Living in China, studying Chinese, web design and development. » Japan’s Butt Biting Bug - Oshiri kajiri mushi http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2007/08/13/12-days-in-china/#comment-7150 China Blogging - Living in China, studying Chinese, web design and development. » Japan’s Butt Biting Bug - Oshiri kajiri mushi Fri, 31 Aug 2007 00:05:48 +0000 http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2007/08/13/12-days-in-china/#comment-7150 [...] any case, I’ve been really enjoying the Japanese Restaurants in Dalian. Maybe too much. But aside from the food, I have the say my favorite thing about Japanese culture (that I’ve [...] [...] any case, I’ve been really enjoying the Japanese Restaurants in Dalian. Maybe too much. But aside from the food, I have the say my favorite thing about Japanese culture (that I’ve [...]

]]> By: TaiTai http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2007/08/13/12-days-in-china/#comment-7087 TaiTai Tue, 28 Aug 2007 11:05:26 +0000 http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2007/08/13/12-days-in-china/#comment-7087 I definitely eat more western food now than when I first arrived. Partly because I ate waaaay too much hotpot, and ended up getting sick of it, but also now I know where to buy pretty much any ingredient I need*, I do a lot more cooking at home. I'm getting pretty damned good too - in the last week alone I've done sirloin steak in a red wine and mushroom sauce, with sauteed potatoes and mange tout, chicken and steak fajitas with home-made guacamole and salsa, and Thai green chicken and vegetable curry, with tom yum goong prawn soup to start. Damn Mrs TaiTai is one lucky lady! *Living in Beijing does have it's benefits. I definitely eat more western food now than when I first arrived. Partly because I ate waaaay too much hotpot, and ended up getting sick of it, but also now I know where to buy pretty much any ingredient I need*, I do a lot more cooking at home. I’m getting pretty damned good too - in the last week alone I’ve done sirloin steak in a red wine and mushroom sauce, with sauteed potatoes and mange tout, chicken and steak fajitas with home-made guacamole and salsa, and Thai green chicken and vegetable curry, with tom yum goong prawn soup to start. Damn Mrs TaiTai is one lucky lady!

*Living in Beijing does have it’s benefits.

]]> By: Linda http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2007/08/13/12-days-in-china/#comment-7081 Linda Tue, 28 Aug 2007 07:55:07 +0000 http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2007/08/13/12-days-in-china/#comment-7081 I echo your sentiments about this. After two and a half years here, I've decided that my constitution (and perhaps a lot of other westerners) just isn't up to eating Chinese cuisine all the time. In the same way that the average Chinese person is lactose intolerant and can't eat cheese without feeling sick, westerners just aren't used to the oil, salt and spices (not to mention the MSG). I live in Shanghai, and the food here is particularly oily, sweet and uses a lot of soy sauce. These days if I have the option of a bowl of SH-style chaomian or a sandwich, I'd take the sandwich every time. I think my stomach thanks me for it too. As to the problem about living in a foreign bubble, I don't think there's anything you can do about it. There's nothing wrong with maintaining your own culture in your adopted country. That's the reason there's a Chinatown in nearly every city in the world. Just so long as you appreciate the country you live in, are tolerant and sympathetic, I think you can eat and do whatever you like. I echo your sentiments about this. After two and a half years here, I’ve decided that my constitution (and perhaps a lot of other westerners) just isn’t up to eating Chinese cuisine all the time. In the same way that the average Chinese person is lactose intolerant and can’t eat cheese without feeling sick, westerners just aren’t used to the oil, salt and spices (not to mention the MSG). I live in Shanghai, and the food here is particularly oily, sweet and uses a lot of soy sauce. These days if I have the option of a bowl of SH-style chaomian or a sandwich, I’d take the sandwich every time. I think my stomach thanks me for it too.
As to the problem about living in a foreign bubble, I don’t think there’s anything you can do about it. There’s nothing wrong with maintaining your own culture in your adopted country. That’s the reason there’s a Chinatown in nearly every city in the world. Just so long as you appreciate the country you live in, are tolerant and sympathetic, I think you can eat and do whatever you like.

]]> By: Ryan http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2007/08/13/12-days-in-china/#comment-6760 Ryan Mon, 13 Aug 2007 06:48:49 +0000 http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2007/08/13/12-days-in-china/#comment-6760 I remember when my folks were here for my wedding, I did my best to show them around and get them trying new things - but they were extremely grateful to spend the last night here at a high-priced on-The-Bund restaurant drinking expensive wine and eating some of the best Western food I've ever had. As for myself, I find I eat a lot more Western food now in my third year here than I did for the first chunk of time. I think most long-timers are the same. When you first arrive you're eager to try out new things, get a taste of what China's all about. After a while you start re-introducing the foods that make you feel comfortable, and remind you of a place that's not so easy to get to. As a visitor, I think you should try as much as you can while you're here. Eating McDonald's every day is a sure way to feel like you missed something in your travels here. As a resident, to each their own. I still have favourite Chinese food that I'm always excited to eat (hotpot, Xinjiang chuar, Sichuan, etc.), but mostly... I've ate my fill of Chinese food and am happy enough to spend my Friday night watching a movie and eating a pizza (sans corn and mayo - of course). I remember when my folks were here for my wedding, I did my best to show them around and get them trying new things - but they were extremely grateful to spend the last night here at a high-priced on-The-Bund restaurant drinking expensive wine and eating some of the best Western food I’ve ever had.

As for myself, I find I eat a lot more Western food now in my third year here than I did for the first chunk of time. I think most long-timers are the same.

When you first arrive you’re eager to try out new things, get a taste of what China’s all about. After a while you start re-introducing the foods that make you feel comfortable, and remind you of a place that’s not so easy to get to.

As a visitor, I think you should try as much as you can while you’re here. Eating McDonald’s every day is a sure way to feel like you missed something in your travels here.

As a resident, to each their own. I still have favourite Chinese food that I’m always excited to eat (hotpot, Xinjiang chuar, Sichuan, etc.), but mostly… I’ve ate my fill of Chinese food and am happy enough to spend my Friday night watching a movie and eating a pizza (sans corn and mayo - of course).

]]> By: Rick http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2007/08/13/12-days-in-china/#comment-6755 Rick Mon, 13 Aug 2007 00:07:27 +0000 http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2007/08/13/12-days-in-china/#comment-6755 You know what's funny? After we did finally go out for Chinese food, my brother found himself with a mild case of tap-arse. We did go out for a couple of yang-rou chuanr once though. Which I neglected to mention. You know what’s funny?

After we did finally go out for Chinese food, my brother found himself with a mild case of tap-arse.

We did go out for a couple of yang-rou chuanr once though. Which I neglected to mention.

]]> By: Jeremy http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2007/08/13/12-days-in-china/#comment-6754 Jeremy Sun, 12 Aug 2007 22:33:44 +0000 http://www.lostlaowai.com/commentary/blog/2007/08/13/12-days-in-china/#comment-6754 Hey Rick, If and when my brother finally gets himself out to China, I'm going to do my best to take him to Chinese restaurants - but will take him to some other tasty places as well. To get the 'authentic' China experience, you do need to have a number of different kinds of Chinese food. But there's no way he'd be willing to go to the tiny little shops... guess cause he got food poisoning from such shops when traveling in the past. Hey Rick,

If and when my brother finally gets himself out to China, I’m going to do my best to take him to Chinese restaurants - but will take him to some other tasty places as well. To get the ‘authentic’ China experience, you do need to have a number of different kinds of Chinese food.

But there’s no way he’d be willing to go to the tiny little shops… guess cause he got food poisoning from such shops when traveling in the past.

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