The Food in China

China Day 11 (Tianjin)

One thing that I have noticed here in China is how much differently they do food than us Americans do. When the groups has gone to a restaurant and ate together, we have ordered many dishes that the entire groups gets to eat from. These dishes are usually set on a circular glass rotating device so everyone can spin it and grab food from each dish as they please. This is certainly different from the American style, where each person gets their own dish and does not share that dish between the group. I, personally, think that the Chinese methodology is better because it allows everyone to diversify their selection of food s and also slows down the eating process, which makes people fuller faster. My first impressions about the Chinese were that their dishes would be relatively small, given the smaller stature of the average Chinese person compared to the average American and the Chinese lack of an overweight problem. But, boy, was I wrong! When the Chinese give you food, they mean business. Each dish is massive! I've been wondering how they even finish that much food. I think the only Chinese dish I've been able to completely eat (with the group) was the Peking Roast Duck. You don't leave the Chinese restaurants hungry, that's for sure. I also wasn't sure how I would like the food, since I've generally been more of a picky eater and I'm so used to American food. Well, after having been here for a while I can say that I have an affinity for Chinese food, and I don't think I'll be able to enjoy American-Chinese food quite the same anymore. Dahui said that the Chinese food in America lacks the authenticity that the food has here in China, and I can see where he is coming from. I came here with the mindset of losing some weight but with the food here I think that goal will only result in marginal loss. I certainly haven't been dissatisfied with the food here at all - Quality or Quantity.