Food in Beijing

Today was rather uneventful. We started out at Beijing Language and Culture University to learn more about the assessments for students who are studying Chinese as a second language. We then heard a great lecture on the Forbidden City in preparation for tomorrow's visit. So I thought this would be a good time to share with you the kinds of food we are exposed to here in China. First of all, let me tell you that I have only been eating rice and toast for three days. My stomach has decided to act up, so I have been staying away from the "local" food in fear that I would get sick on our bus while sitting in Beijing's horrible traffic. Add to that...getting sick on a squat toilet and the whole deal doesn't sound too comfortable. My body does not seem to like this style of food. Add to that the heat, humidity, pollution, and my lack of sleep and you can imagine why I might not be feeling myself.

The always popular cicadas on a stick. Talk about a crunchy treat that's great to eat...not! Call me old-fashioned, but I prefer my cicadas in a tree, not on the Webber.

The food throughout China is quite interesting. It is amazing to me what the Chinese will eat. Some I have tasted, others...not! I actually like lotus root; it tastes good to me. I also like this potato dish they make with a sweet and sour sauce. It's kinda crunchy. But I don't like heads on my meat and fish. We have had quite the excitement in our food. Today's menu had fish lips and jellied fish skin. Thank goodness our guide didn't order any of those dishes.

In the meantime - and in the time-honored tradition of Siskel and Ebert - I give two thumbs up to: Fried pumpkin, onion bread, dumplings, green beans with garlic, noodles of any kind, sweet and sour meat of any kind, most veggies. However, I give two thumbs, two arms, and two legs down to: 100-year-old eggs, fish with heads, jellied pork, tree ear mushrooms, squid, seaweed, fish head soup, shrimp with heads on them, pigeon, shark fins. What topped it all off was the food I saw at the market. Scorpions on a stick (legs still moving), cicadas, and some kind of larvae. No thanks. Give me McDonald's.

Comments

[Debbie Gallas]

Our band director just returned from a trip to China where he performed with others from across the US -- a jazz band. He had many similar experiences to yours --- the food ones I particulary love to hear about (and see). My favorite is the interesting way the the Chinese signs are translated into English. Thanks for sharing!