Ever Heard of Popeye's?!?!

Since being in China, everyone frequently asks me how the food is. So today's blog is all about food, mainly about the "Friendship Market" just outside my residence.

When I first arrived to my new apartment in China, was a little nervous about the market, unregulated, cheap food that comes from who knows what out of who knows where. However, after a few gambles on meal choices, the market has to be one of my favorite aspects about my life China.

Wearing PJs out in public. No big deal. 

The Friendship Market consists of an inexpensive eclectic array of meat, fruit, and vegetables. There are also vendors who sell clothes, alcohol, and various household goods. The best part about the market is that the food for the most part is ridiculously cheap. As stated in a previous blog entry, an average lunch for me costs about 5-15 RMB ($1-3 US). 

unrefrigerated slabs of meat just laying out in the open....

Chinese 'pizza' bread

Lately, my favorite lunch has been donkey. For about a week I had been eating these tasting sandwiches and dumplings, having no idea what I was eating until one day my roommate and I noticed the big donkey picture above the vendor stand! I was totally freaked out at first, but shortly I got over it and indulged myself in a couple donkey sandwiches! I guess am a fan of ass when it comes to women and food!!

Eating 'ass'

The other night, my roommate and I decided to try or first Chinese duck. We were able to get a whole duck with sauce, pancakes, veggies for 40 RMB ($6 US).

Not everything at the market is cheap however. Fruit at the market can range from a reasonable price to more than I would ever pay back home. For example, I can get plenty of random Chinese fruits for cheap, but try and buy 4 red apples, it will cost me 90 RMB ($14 US!). Also, 1 lemon at the market is 30 RMB ($5 US). Pineapples and watermelons are also on the expensive side.

Everyone is very friendly at the market. Every day I get the curiosity stares and "hello!" from vendors and patrons alike. After a few weeks, I have made relationships with some of the vendors I frequent.  However, our conversations are very minimal since my Chinese is still very limited.

Like Chris Tucker from Rush Hour 2, this is my daily experience at the market...

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Since returning from Beijing, my roommate Craig and I have had a string of good luck when it has come to restaurants around town.

One day we attempted to have a nice fancy fish at a restaurant that Craig had tried when he first arrived, but we arrived too late at to eat at the restaurant. Hungry and on a quest for something different, we stumbled into an interesting looking place called "Kabob Cafe". The restaurant was closed, and not officially opened for business yet, but the owner of the restaurant recognized me from around town and asked if we would like to join their taste test. We were hesitant at first, but it was one of the best decisions we have made since being in China. The group that invited us to sit told us the restaurant was going to be opening up in a week and would have an upscale western cuisine that would be unmatched in Tangshan. I was skeptical at first since the 'western' style food I had tried in China before that night was a mediocre attempt on the real thing, complete with an expensive bill. However, they quickly brought out a FREE complete meal for us to taste, fish, steak, pumpkin soup, appetizers, desserts, imported wine, and beer. The food was so good; if not better than 'western' dishes I have tasted back home. I was completely blown away. They showed us around the restaurant and made us feel really welcome. I cannot wait to go back!!

Pumpkin soup!

Tasty spinach and fish!

New friends sharing steak

While going to Wanda Plaza (blog entry about Wanda Plaza to come in the future) to see Looper, we investigated the 3rd floor restaurant portion of the mall. Now in the US, the food court is made up of cheap, fast, and chain restaurants for the shopper on the go. However, in China, the restaurants at the mall are a complete dining experience. We were able to finally find some sushi in China! The special rolls were similar, but not quite the same as back in the US. However, they were still quite tasty.

Can't go too long without sushi in your life!

There is also a Starbucks at Wanda, but their selection is completely limited! There are a few items you would get from a normal Starbucks coffee, mocha, cappuccinos, etc., but there are few specialty drinks. Also, most importantly, NO HOLIDAY DRINKS AKA NO PUMPKIN SPICE.

No pumpkin.....FAIL

Next weekend I am off to a large city in the Hebei province called Tianjin. I will blog about my adventures there. Until next time!! 

How Chinese fish for dinner at Wal-Mart