A Delicious Discovery: Navigating Portion Sizes and Flavors in China
When you're ordering food in China, a word to the wise: take a close look at portion sizes! It's easy to be fooled by pictures online, where you might just see a bowl and assume it's a modest size, like we're used to at home. Ordering one bowl per person can lead to a delightful, albeit overwhelming, surprise.
I've experienced this firsthand! Sometimes they bring out bowls that are as large as hot pot containers. Seriously, I couldn't even finish one bowl, let alone think about ordering anything else. They have a knack for this! In some places, I've seen noodle bowls that are the size of three regular pots.
These hearty servings are especially popular with the incredibly strong eaters, particularly the tall, 1.90-meter-plus guys who live in colder regions. I watched one of them polish off an entire noodle bowl and then proceed to slurp up all the broth. A bowl that size would likely be more than enough for my entire family of six back home!
So, my top tip is to observe the actual size of the bowls there before you order. This way, you can avoid the unfortunate situation of having too much food and needless waste.
A Taste of Tangy Perfection
One dish that really stood out was this fish cooked with tomatoes and mushrooms. It was light, incredibly flavorful, and reminded me a bit of Korean kimchi soup. What made it truly special was the addition of oranges during the cooking process, infusing it with a wonderful aroma. And for a double dose of tofu, you can simply pay an extra two yuan!
The World's Best Fries?
I also have to rave about the French fries. The potatoes from the Xinjiang region are, in my humble opinion, some of the best in the world. They're so fragrant and have this melt-in-your-mouth texture. I found myself eating French fries almost every day during my visit, thinking I should make the most of it. I know I'll be craving these unique fries once I'm back in Vietnam!
By Ngọc Trà
