h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

We're just back from a farewell dinner, hosted by the contractor on J's project.

The meal was served in a private room at a restaurant which had a main dining room downstairs and about twenty of these small private rooms on the first floor. We sat around a large circular table with a revolving centre, upon which most of the dishes were placed for us to serve ourselves with chopsticks. The fish and soup were served directly to us on small plates.

There were some very interesting dishes
I managed the raw crab, which wasn't too bad; the saltiness made up for rather odd texture.

The smelly tofu was pretty bad; definitely an acquired taste. I went back for a second piece because I wasn't exactly sure what it reminded me of - and came to the conclusion that it tasted like a zoo's menagerie, redolent as it was of big cats, some dung and a halitotic camel or two, with a side of elephant pee.

The second type of tofu was much more palatable. It was served in chunks which resembled cubes of bread that had been marinated in soy sauce.

They served a fruit, the name of which sounded like yummy - and it really was. It was dark pink, about 2-3cm in diameter with a slightly rough surface, had a very juicy texture and tasted like a combination of raspberry, citrus and sour plum. I ate about eight of them

The pickled bamboo shoots were good, as were the shrimps and the fish - though I left the skin and bones.

There was a beef dish, with peppers and sliced bamboo shoots, some green bean puree with pickled cabbage, a meat filled bun and a fruit filled pastry - and some egg soup.

The men were drinking yellow wine and beer but, in the absence of G&T, I stuck to plain water and some very light flowery green tea.
The yellow wine is served in small, individual ceramic flasks which sit in matching ceramic containers of warm water. Some people like to add shredded raw ginger and small pieces of preserved, sugared plum.

We finished with a wee dish of fresh fruit - water melon, green melon, a wee red tomato and a wee yellow tomato.

All in all, it was an enjoyable meal - and there was none of the dreaded sea cucumber, abalone or jellyfish.

That sounds great - not sure about raw crab and the fermented Tofu though (you were brave going back for a 2nd opinion)

When are you coming back?

We're back next weekend, Sho.
I'm assuming my application for a week's extension on my visa has been successful ... at least, no-one's knocked sternly on the door yet

My goodness Teuchter,

You are incredibly brave. I do not think I could have coped with the first Tofu you described. Brrrrr. Otherwise it sounded reasonable. I eat raw oysters sio do not know why I should feel queasuy at raw crab. !!

how are you going to settle down to life in England again.?

We are having a heat wave at the moment.

You will be back with us soon. It will be nice to have you nearby - well nearer than wen you are in Beijing. 1!!

Have a safe trip home.

With much affection

Christiane
AlsoRan80

>>The yellow wine is served in small, individual ceramic flasks which sit in matching ceramic containers of warm water.>>

Warm? Because 'yellow' seems to suggest white wine rather than red - and I only drink red wine warm if it's part of the ingredients of Glögg...

Out of curiousity - do you know if the beer was served chilled or at room temperature? I've never managed to find a cold beer in London even on a hot day *mutter, mutter*

And yes, before you ask - in Sweden we do prefer our beer chilled...

It sounds a bit like rice wine or saki. Which is more like schnapps or poteen than "wine".

Some of it sounds delightful Teuchter, but Zoo's menagerie You were indeed brave to have a second try, I am not sure my curiosity would have been strong enough.

As Christiane said we are having a heatwave but I suspect it will be over by the time you get back. Does that mean you will have your husband home again? It must be strange being so far apart for so long.

Have a good trip back. Enjoy the rest of your stay, and thanks for keeping us up to speed.

Websailor

Glad you're enjoying my wee stories - and thanks for the comments.

Yellow wine is a bit of a misnomer since it's actually more of a liquor.
There's an explanation over at wi*k.

They do keep beers in the fridge here for furriners but the Chinese themselves believe it's very unhealthy to drink cold fluids.
In the gym, there's one of those water machines which has both hot and cold taps and they look aghast as we fail to put any hot in our bottles.

The big difficulty settling into life in Englandshire again is going to be having to cook every day.
It's so cheap to eat out here - and the kitchen is so badly equipped - that we tend to dine out a lot of the time. Despite this, I have actually lost weight in the weeks I've been over here.

A few nights ago, we ate in a Japanese restaurant. They served the most delicious beef tepanyaki and avocado california rolls

We decided against the wagyu beef; it's extensively marbled with fat, comes from cattle which get regularly massaged - and was offered at eighty-five quid a plate

Sounds a very interesting farewell meal. At least with that sort of help yourself serving you can just have a taste. Is it also polite to leave a bit to show you're sated?
I think the main problem with sampling unfamiliar foods is that they may look similar to something & you expect the taste to be the same. It's often the texture or temperature that surprises me.

The idea of not having cold drinks is curious, but I wonder if it makes sense in extreme weather. If you have a very cold drink, it diverts blood to your stomach to warm the contents rather than body surface to aid temperature control.

Any food ideas you'll try & source back in the UK?

Teuchter and Teasswill,

I remember reading something by a Chinese to the effect that food and drink should be eaten at blood temperature, and certainly not hot or cold. He said that many Western ills are a result of eating food etc. too hot or too cold.

Thanks for confirming at least part of it Teuchter.

Massaging cattle haven't heard that one before.

Websailor

<> Good grief, that beats the price of Shark Fin Soup

Websailor

I have lost weight each time I've been subjected* to far-eastern cooking for any length of time. Which is strange because when I'm in Korea I usually stuff my face every day.

My Koreans are always telling us not to drink too hot tea, or drink iced water. And generally speaking, I agree with them. The best thing when you're really hot is cool water and a fan.

* I say "subjected" but actually I love it - mostly. Chicken feet are definitely never appearing on my home-menus