The Chinese Diet

For all of its inadequacies and shortcomings, China always holds a special place in my heart. That place is held thanks to its delicious foods that cost next to nothing. For you cretins that believe delicious foods include KFC and McDonalds, you will be sad to learn that those still cost about the same amount as in America. But for those of you adventurous to avoid fancy restaurants and travel some alley ways, you will find a host of delicious foods, generous portions and cheap beer.

Example 1: Fried Rice with Egg, Ham, and Peppers. -- 6 RMB (approximately $1.00)

This meal is the most deliciously addictive food I have had anywhere in China. I have grown convinced that there is a secret ingredient like nicotine or meth.

As simple as it sounds, the meal is a large plate with a mountain of the concoction piled about 2" tall and served with a Chinese spoon. At first glance it is nothing special, but the greasy fried rice and ham meld to make a rich buttery flavor that makes the rice irresistible. The peppers and pepper oil mixed with the rice serve to add a slight spiciness that completes the dish. Adding some American hot sauce is a special bonus.

The owners of this particular restaurant are extremely friendly and always happy to see returning customers.  I am planning to steal their recipe and try to replicate this food so I can eat it anywhere in the world. Luckily, I can enjoy the original for many more months and at 6 RMB, I can easily afford it.

Example 2: Street BBQ (approximately $3.00 per person)

Want to sit and eat a ton of meat? Street BBQ is the thing for you. All throughout China these outdoor restaraunts spring up around dinner time and remain through the evening.

Simply sit at a table and a waitress will walk around with different types of skewered meats. Beef, chicken, pork, fish, donkey... who knows what options will be available. When you see something delicious, talk to the waitress and she will give you 10-20 skewers of the meat. Eat rinse and repeat. At the end of the meal, the waitress counts the number of skewers at your table and charges you accordingly.

The only downside to Street BBQ is that the "house beer" called zhapi (jaw-pee) is a rather miserable concoction. It is a local beer that tapped from a keg and served in pitchers. Though cheap, it is extremely sweet making it unpallatable. I ordered a pitcher to try some and couldn't even finish a glass. I ended up giving the pitcher to the table next to us.

Street BBQ is very fun, delicious, and the style of eating ensures everyone will enjoy something.

Example 3: Mystery stuff on a stick 

What is mystery stuff on a stick? Well, that is the fun of it? Right?! On the street, next to corn vendors, fried flat bread (delicious), and duck, are vendors that sell an odd non-meat on a stick. The non-meat is a bit fatter and about twice as long as a McDonald's frenchfry. It is skewered and curled in a spiral around a stick. This non-meat is chewy and tastes of cumin and a bit like lamb.

That said, what is it? Well, though the answer is elusive, it seems to be some sort of bread and egg creation. You can buy three for less than 50 cents and munch on these tasty morsels that are cooked to order. As always, make sure to ask for extra spice!

I will update this post with photos in the near future as many of these foods are easily available and part of my standard diet.

P.S. While my recent food poisoning has made me trepidatios about returning to beer, folks state-side will be envious to be reminded that a liter of beer costs 3 kuai (50 cents).