In China, people tend to eat together; usually the host will serve some dishes with his or her own chopsticks to guests to show his or her hospitality. For Westerners it is quite acceptable to leave the food alone if you feel too awkward. Your host will express some unhappiness if you don't at least try it and for some strange reason they get a kick out of ordering the most bizarre things for you to try (EVEN if they don't like eating it themselves!). It is ok to try something and spit it out on the table if you don't like it.
Food in China
Forget the fortune cookie but get ready to tempt your taste buds! The tastes of China vary greatly from region to region but the one commonality is that it is GOOD! Greasy, but good.
Be aware and be patient and be open-minded. It make take several goes to find the right dishes for you and when you go out with Chinese hosts they somehow often want you to try the strangest thing on the menu, perhaps just to see if you have the courage, or maybe in truth because it's a delicacy. I have overcome my reluctance to try things. Did you know that it's ok to spit things on the table that you don't like. Imagine doing that at home... ok when your 4 years old but go home and have Thanksgiving dinner with mom and dad and spit your brussel sprout out and see what happens. I smile just thinking about the loving smack I would get. In China, no worries. Same with food eating sounds. Anyway, if you try something you don't like you can put it on the table after trying it or after at least making it look like you tried it, you can then spit it out or push it off your plate.
My best practises guide leads me to believe that you should try a little corner of whatever it is and then simple nod your head in an understanding way and calmly say with a non-commital face that, "it's not for me." Once you do this it won't be pushed your way again and if it is you can calmly say , "no thank you".
What's the food like in China?
Pork is the chief meat of the Chinese - in fact, in some of the southern languages of China, the word meat is used to mean pork. The consumption of fish, both freshwater and saltwater, is enormous. Chicken is probably the most favored meat, and beef is also eaten.
Chinese food consists of a multitude dishes that are very regional in flavor. If you're in an area where you really don't care much for the food you really can't generalize that you don't like Chinese food. Similarly if you're way down south and you say that Chinese food it too spicy for you, this may not be taking into consideration the much for basic spicing of Chinese food up north.
Food Symbolism in China
In China, foods are given particular meanings, so that on certain occasions a type of food, can only be eaten by some specific individuals, or must be eaten on specific occasion.
Long noodles symbolize longevity. Youngsters or seniors will have a bowl of "Long Life Noodles" in the expectation of a healthy life.
Water in China - Drinkable?
Tap water is not safe to drink, so everyone drinks either bottled water, water from a water cooler, or boiled water. If you do drink tap water, be sure to at least boil it first. It is very important then to also be sure NOT TO EAT ICE because that is often just tap water frozen.
Please note that simply bringing water to a boil does not kill all bacteria. Some health professionals recommend boiling water for up to 20 minutes, especially in high altitude areas, or use water purification tablets.
Bottled water is for sale everywhere for 1-5 Yuan per bottle (depending on where you are). Tourist areas can be VERY expensive by local standards (cheap compared to home but robbery locally). Bring water WITH YOU.
When buying water, be careful not to buy bottles that have been refilled. If you buy a name brand, such as Wahaha or Nestle, you should be OK. Make sure the seal on the cap is not broken.
Alcohol in China
Alcohol is part of Chinese folklore and in modern China alcohol still plays an important role in this folklore, despite many social vicissitudes. It still appears in almost all social activities, the most common occasions being birthday parties for seniors, wedding feasts and sacrifice ceremonies, where liquor must be the main drink to show happiness or respect.
In ancient China, since alcohol was regarded as a sacred liquid it was only used when people made sacrificial offerings to Heaven, Earth or significant ancestors. After the Zhou Dynasty, alcohol was deemed as one of the Nine Rites and every Dynasty since, placed heavy emphasis on alcohol administration, setting up special ministries to manage alcohol production and banqueting. Later, along with the development of zymotechnics and brewery, alcohol became much more of an ordinary, everyday drink. Thus, many of the daily customs involving alcohol evolved.
Eating on the Street in China
Street vendors abound in China. Whether it's roasted peanuts or charcoal squid or chicken feet or noodles or soups or deep fried bugs of some description, there are innumerable delicacies available to tempt, pleased and disgust.
Now to the point, is it safe... there is lots of good food out there, but be a bit cautious.
Here are a couple tips to keep safe:
- food that goes directly from the wok or grill to you is generally safe
- food that sits cold for a long time is dangerous
- make sure dishes are washed properly (hot water is your friend)
One thing to keep in mind - see how much others pay, then pay that much. You'd be amazed how prices can differ from person to person, especially when that person is a foreigner.
