China Culinary and Culture Travel Blog

Back from China!

2007-04-01T04:58:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone,

I am back from China, I have news, photos, insights, and other items that you may find useful. They will be coming in over the next few days as I get everything organized.

Arrived in china

2007-03-07T17:35:00.000-06:00

It is a hassle using blogger in china, not only because of the differences in languages (it compels you to use the Chinese format) but also I think the government puts filters on everything coming through especially Google traffic (blogs and gmail). Photos will be forthcoming, stories will be emanating, and a good blog shall be had by all.

I am leaving for China tomorrow

2007-03-05T23:52:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to give the heads up, that I am leaving for Beijing tomorrow. I will be sure to share pictures and stories.

Revolutionary Recipe

2007-03-03T19:34:00.000-06:00

I wanted to share a story I heard on NPR earlier this weekend. It includes a recipe for jiachang doufu, homestyle tofu, which is one of my favorite Sichuan dishes. It is hard to convey on a blog , how good this smells but the sound of sizzling Chinese food is the next best thing.

Chinese minorities

2007-03-01T10:51:00.000-06:00

I thought I would share this link. It contains all the various minorities that exist in China. Most Americans think of Chinese as primarily Han (the people that probably make your chop suey), even though China is much more diverse, especially in the Western and Southern areas of the country. They have extremely tasty food, and I thought I should share a list of them with you.

Weight-Loss and Chinese cuisine

2007-02-28T12:18:00.000-06:00

Many people are interested in food for different reasons. The book "French women don't get fat" has become a bestseller for many reasons ( I hear it is a great book) but it resonates with women's two desires to be thin and have the romantic social experience that accompanies it (I know it sounds sexist but oh well). With all respect to the French, they do get fat.

Frankly, if you want to copy those who are thin, you must go to Asia, more specifically China. Though Chinese are getting bigger(taller, fatter), it is largely because of McDonald's entry, the growth of soda consumptio and automobile consumption, Chinese are still quite thin. How is this? Chinese food is so good and when they serve it they serve a lot at a time, it would make sense that Chinese would be a very large people.

Why is Chinese food good for losing weight? Chinese food etiquette. Etiquette is one of the reasons that western dining is not conducive for losing weight, Chinese meals are more social. For those who have spent time in an authentic Chinese restaurant, food is placed on the lazy susan and then distributed among the diners. So your dining experience takes place at a round table to everyone is facing everyone else. Therefore, the eating process takes place over the food and the conversation is potentially multi-directional. Therefore, unlike western food (including the French) you do not have the option of digging your face into your food and shutting out others while you eat. If you want to eat you are forced to interact with those around you meaning you chew, then you talk, then you take your next bite. If you have especially interesting dinner companions, then it makes it much more likely that you will speak more than you eat.

Second, the nature of Chinese eating compels sensible portions. Chopsticks may not be the most effective eating utensil, but they do compel you to eat in small bite-sized portions. This is especially true if you are not terribly familiar with how to use them. With a knife and fork, you cut up steaks with extreme ease because they are extremely efficient tools. Therefore, you can stuff yourself with a buttered baked potato with a large rib-eye before your body even realizes you are full, needless to say your waiter will ask you if you want desert soon after you are finished, further piling on the waistline before your body even figures out what happened.

Thirdly, where we are going, Sichuan, is known for its spicy food. Spicy food supposedly speeds up your metabolic rate (the rate at which your body burns calories.) Whether spicy food does or not, it does usually mean you will have to slow down your eating to deal with the increased spiciness. I will share with you all the photos from our travels and the appearances of foods here in Sichuan. If you want to lose weight, I would suggest that you start eating Asian.

Another fun link

2007-02-24T00:37:00.000-06:00

I thought this was a fun link to all the poorly translated english you may find in China.

http://www.rahoi.com

Pickpockets and China

2007-02-23T12:39:00.000-06:00

There is a common fear by westerners of pickpockets. Rightfully so, tourists tend to be wealthier than the locals (especially the criminals) , carry a lot of cash for shopping, and make easy targets. However, there are ways to counter it.

I lived in China for a couple of years and never had my wallet or cell phone stolen. Fortunately for me I am 6'2 and a direct confrontation would be unlikely with generally undernourished street criminals. The first way to deter them is to be aware of your things. In China, guns are outlawed (communist governments tend to maintain a monopoly on violence) and that has cut down on violent crime considerably. Therefore, crime tends to be sneaky. I maintained everything on the front of my body. I tried to wear a jacket or a vest so that my wallet/cellphone is on the front of my body where a potential pickpocket would have to be face to face with me.

Never, ever put your wallet on your back pocket so that they can give skillfully lifted. In a crowded country, a pickpocket will most likely bump into as you have bumped into hundreds of times on the subway. Needless to say, you probably will not be their first victim and they have done this before.

Even though I have not been victimized, I have known those who have been. The common theme is that they have gotten lazy or complacent about pickpockets because the crime is not so visible. They have allowed cell-phones or wallets to dangle from jacket side pockets or put cellphones in back jeans pockets. When you go into slums in most other countries, it is dangerous and you are therefore on guard. In China, you never feel in danger. In China, you may be a bit taller than the general population, aware of the penalties for firearm possession, and a stereotype (whether you admit or not) that Chinese are not as threatening. While your instincts are probably correct, China isnt dangerous, but you should still be on guard.

Pickpockets come in all forms, well-dressed and demure can be the best pockets(Actually the better dressed they are, the more likely they are good at stealing). Do not underestimate or prejudge who they are. Pickpockets are generally quite intelligent and are interested in low-risk situations where they can make money with little trouble from the law.

The most common place to look out for is when you are at the market. When you are holding other bags of things in addition to your camera, cellphone, and , you may be more exposed to even a more brazen theft because you are weighed down by your purchases as well as lacking two hands to guard your belongings. You may be a normally careful, but when you are taking money in and out of your wallet making purchases, you will become lazy about putting your wallet in a safe place. The best way to do this is, before you shop, remove your cash from your wallet and store your wallet in a safe place on your person. The worst that happens is you lose some cash but maintain your IDS, credit cards, etc.

All in all, be careful and have a great trip. I want you to have a great time in China, and keeping your money and belongings is certainly part of it. If you are not interested in wearing a jacket, purchase a "fanny pack," think of it as a function first fashion accessory.

How and Why to get your passport

2007-02-20T16:44:00.000-06:00

Before you can consider going on a culinary vacation, and enjoying the exotic tastes, smells, and sight of Chinese food you need your passport. Before you travel internationally, it is essential that you first obtain your passport. It is wonder why so few Americans get one they are inexpensive and allow you to see the entire world. While it is very difficult for some people around the world, especially Muslims, to come to the United States you can invariably go to their countries and eat their food, shop till you drop, and meet their people.

Even if you think the United States is the greatest country in the world (we do not have the best food), you need to see how the rest of the world lives. I would argue the invasion of Iraq was a result of cultural ignorance on the part of American leadership and not understanding the rest of the world. Traveling for me always helped me appreciate what I like about the U.S. and what I like about another culture and country (I always liked the Big Gulp).

Though we have a rapidly depreciating currency, our lifestyle is still quite opulent compared to the rest of the world and you may as well enjoy it. If you have the gumption to travel with Duzitours and begin to explore the world outside of you, you will find how the rest of the world lives and eats.

It only leaves the how. Follow the link and get started exploring the world.

I want to hear your favorite Chinese dish

2007-02-19T01:23:00.000-06:00

Many people are exposed to different kinds of Chinese food (Dim Sum, Chop Suey, Kung Pao Chicken, Baozi) and depending on where you are you have tasted different things and different styles. Some may enjoy hot flavors while others prefer the coastal seafood. For those who have traveled extensively in China you may have stumbled across something unforgetable. I would love to hear anything from your past experiences about what Chinese foods you especially enjoy.

Bargaining in China

2007-02-15T08:22:00.000-06:00

Many western people are not used to bargaining. We go to the shop, see the price and make a purchase. How simple. Even companies such as Carmax, advertise that you don't have to bargain (as if this is a positive thing!) When we go to China, we have a couple of things working against us: language and asymmetric information.

Your natural inclination as a Westerner is to be kind and not bargain with Chinese people. After all, you just arrived, and you are not to sure of your footing. This is a mostly passing notion that goes away once you have spent more than a couple of weeks in China. The population density of China (I don't like to say overpopulation) is conducive to aggressiveness. However, before you learn the language; it is daunting using a calculator to convey everything you would like to say. In the future, this blog will deliver some key phrases for your bargaining pleasure, so stay tuned.

Second is, we stay in an American mindset when we travel for short periods in China. We imagine how much something like this would cost in Walmart. Walmart buys from China, and so they pay a lot less than we would at retail. We generally don't realize how cheap things are to produce in China. If we have the money to travel to China, traditionally you are either wealthy/middle class or the children of at least middle class upbringing, so we have no ability to comprehend the cheapness of labor in developing countries and the price level difference. This is especially true if you are going to China and staying at 5-star hotels and drinking your daily Starbucks. They know how much they paid for what you are buying and no matter what happens, they will come out ahead. Traditionally, Chinese have said you should offer 10% of the asking price, and pay no more than 25%. This rule (guide) is especially useful if you do not speak Chinese, because I assure you, if you do not speak Chinese you will pay a premium.

In the end, if you feel that you getting a steal from them, you probably are not. However, if you are traveling in search of a connection, there is nothing so primal and fun in capitalism as going to a street market and negotiating smart with someone from across the world. I promise the time when you fought for a deal in the street market and got what you wanted and what you considered to be a good price, will be one of your most treasured memories in China.

Looking to add to the BlogRoll

2007-02-14T11:46:00.000-06:00

I would love to share links between my blog and others who are relating their blogs to travel, international business, China, or ideally Chinese cuisine. I have some other blogs which I am quickly becoming fans of, so don't hesitate to send me an email.

Send your email to galvin12@gmail.com, and share your link and your interests in relation to your blog

I just added a friend of mine's
blog as she sails around the world.

Fun video

2007-02-12T14:32:00.000-06:00

It is the hugely popular baby panda, and its startled mother. Just in case anyone has missed it.

Tell me about your best Travel Experience

2007-02-12T11:37:00.000-06:00

As a tour operator, I would love to hear about your favorite experience while traveling. It may have nothing to do with traveling to China, or internationally, or even nationally. I am of the firm belief that a great trip is usually from some sort of communication or understanding of something outside your day to day realm. This may be of a new understanding of your mate, your children or a stranger in a culture that you have never encountered. In the future, I will share with you some of my favorite past experiences and hope you will do the same.

MSG

2007-02-02T23:10:00.000-06:00

A common "fear" about Chinese food is the MSG content. I personally believe it gives me headaches. However, it some are actually afraid of it so i wanted to dispel anything about going to China.

Sichuan food, where the tour begins and ends rarely has MSG in it. It could be for a couple of reasons. MSG is first and foremost a Japanese product. Sichuan's relative distance from the ocean and hence Japan perhaps has slowed the adoption. More importantly, MSG is only effective for the taste of blander foods, (seafood, noodles, etc.) Sichuan's relative spiciness makes MSG a rather moot spice.

Searching for your marketing ideas

2007-02-01T00:27:00.000-06:00

As you all know by now, I am starting a tour group for those individuals who seek to eat authentic unadulterated Chinese cuisine and delve deeper into the culture than any competiting offering. I want to bring China to the masses, and I would like you to help. How do you think I should market the wonders of Chinese culture and more so the wonders of Chinese cuisine? How do you think potential customers would like to hear about traveling to China, Sichuan province, and indulging in its intriguing splendor? Internet, traditional advertising, buzz marketing, it is all open to discussion and debate. I look forward to hearing your opinions and ideas.

Website update

2007-01-31T00:07:00.001-06:00

The new website is not up, but the website's name is DuziTour.com

When the site is populated, I will update here.

Exploring Culture Through Food

2007-01-29T15:14:00.000-06:00

The fundamental basis for our Sichuan tour is not merely to eat great food and learn how to make it but fully involve yourself in an elusive and fascinating culture. If you believe traveling is a sum of pictures taken you probably would not enjoy traveling with me.

When traveling to a country where the vast majority do not speak the same language you speak, it can be quite challenging to get a sense of the "real" experience that you were originally searching for. The exotic notion you once had in your head become filled with mundane picture posing or banal picture taking. What would impress the people in your office or what sight could you display to your family on a Thanksgiving slide-show. Your vacation becomes less of an escape, but something that keeps tying you to the place you were trying to leave.

As this blog develops, I would love if readers would share a small story about their most illuminating travel experience.

P.S. Duzi Tour's website is currently being developed, and you will be the first to know when we get something up.

Inaugural Post

2007-01-28T11:43:00.000-06:00

This is the first of many posts dedicated to exploring and eat in China. I will be starting this summer taking Americans into China to enjoy the culinary exploits as well as bring home not only a unique cultural experience, but also the ability to create and share the knowledge and experience gathered while in China.