Om Nom Nom

People say that money makes the world go round.  Now it may make the world turn, but food makes it float.  The interesting thing about different cultures is that they all have very distinct foods.  In the United States, there are many opportunities to try many different country's cuisine.  Although most of it isn’t authentic, there are still dishes that retain their true flavors.  I always knew that Chinese food in the United States is different than the Chinese food in China.  However, until I came to China, I had no idea how divergent it was.  I interviewed my Chinese teacher at my University, and he said that what he would miss most about China if he left (discounting family and friends of course) was the food.  He told me that the food here was very special, and very difficult to duplicate.  The United States is too young of a country to have its own cuisine.  But in a way, all the cuisine in the States is its own cuisine.  There are enough differences between Chinese food and “American” Chinese food that it becomes it’s own.  I have also learned that when I am in the United States, it’s best not to judge whether it is authentic or not.  Better to appreciate it for the food it is, and not compare it.
The Chinese believe in fresh food; this is a huge part of authentic Chinese food.  Everything ordered at a restaurant is made the instant after being ordered.  Food made on the streets is seldom already cooked; it’s cooked after pointed at and saying “这个” (this one), even chestnuts at the local grocery store are roasted fresh by an attendant.  In contrast, “Super China Buffet” is more popular than Dim Sum.  Super China Buffet is just like any buffet place; it’s full of food sitting around.  Furthermore (and not just at buffets), there is meat in abundance.  This is also very uncharacteristic of Chinese food.  I was playing with two girls about 4 years old to help them learn English.  After playing, the family insisted that I stay for an afternoon meal.  When we sat down, there were six different dishes on the table.  One completely meat dish, a soup with tiny shrimp in it, one dish with limited amount of pork, and two wholly vegetable dishes.  Generally, meat is used for flavoring, but vegetables are the main event.  I believe that the best way to enjoy food is to remember that it is never the same.  That goes not just for regular food, but also for anything in China.  Don’t get too attached to it; one minute I was enjoying mango Mentos, the next I might as well have been imagining their existence.

Although we may be at odds with countries, or have different beliefs with people, we always are open to share food with them.  Food is one of the universal things in the world that knows no boundaries.  In every way, we all can get along when we share a meal, a drink, or a snack.  When people do business together in the United States, the parties generally go out for drinks or dinner to talk.  When people are invited to others’ houses in Japan, bringing a snack to eat together is considered very polite.  When someone is upset or going through a hard time, we bring food or a baked good to show our sympathy and understanding.  Although eating is a daily occurrence, it is something everyone has in common.  One of the easiest ways to learn about other cultures is to learn and appreciate their cuisine and traditions that surround it.  Although it can’t solve anything understanding one aspect of a culture opens many doors and nevertheless creates a greater understanding.

On a lighter note, some of the things in China are really bizarre… Everyone has heard of chicken feet, but do you also know that they eat pig stomach? It has this really odd consistency, more of a paste than bologna, which in my opinion is saying something.  They are also fans of “thousand year old eggs” which are hard-boiled eggs that have been aged.  I’m glad that someone likes them… Other exotic goods include pickled soy sauce mangos, freeze-dried spicy meat, and laver (seaweed) covered peanuts.  Yes, to Westerners, there are many weird things in China, but the good news is that there are many delicious dishes too!  Tomato and egg is a common home made food and is my absolute favorite dish.  It was really fun to try eating so many different kinds of vegetables.  There are so many vegetables that I have been ignoring all my life; and I’m so glad that I have been awakened to them.  Things like eggplant and bok choy are seldom used in the United States, but are so nutritious and delicious.  Winter melon is almost unheard of, which as a vegetarian, is saying something.  There are so many things to try in China; I didn’t have time to try it all.  But I now know that the best.  But I know now that the best way to travel is surely to try everything that I come in contact with.  If it smells good, looks good, or you've never see it, I'll definitely try a sample.

  

  

My advice to anyone traveling is to try anything and everything.  If you've never seen it before or are apprehensive, try it anyway; you may end up liking it.  It happened to me, and it can happen to you.  Okay, story time.  Beijing's famous noodles are called zhajiangmian (炸酱面), which features a fermented soy bean sauce.  It sounds sketchy, but it's not.  Trust me.  At the very end of my stay here in Beijing, I decided to go out on a limb and order them and they were extremely tasty.  It almost seems like a paradox that black noodles would be scrumptious, but they were! I only got to eat them once because I refused to give them a real chance.  You just don't know what you're going to like.  Honestly, some of the stuff in China really doesn't sound appetizing when seen or heard of what it's made of.  You just have to look past all that stuff and let your taste buds do the talking.