China is a place like no other. After living there for a couple months, I realised there are certain special experiences you can’t leave without. Here they are.
Try chou dou fu
You’ll smell it WAY before you see it. Miles worse than durian, chou dou fu (stinky tofu) has a smell reminiscent of rotting garbage. So of course I tried it. Compared to the smell, the taste is surprisingly mild. In fact, I even went on to try a bunch of old fermented stinky tofu. That one didn’t go too well.
Eat all of the dumplings you can.
Xiao long bao (SOUP DUMPLINGS), jiao zi (normal dumplings), bao zi (big BREADY dumplings)! Breakfast, lunch, and dinner! If you are what you eat, I am definitely a dumpling. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Seriously, don’t miss out. Try the three above mentioned. Don’t go on a diet when coming to China.
Go to KTV
Karaoke in China is an experience. Some are expensive and super beautiful, some are cheap and slightly trashy. They all try their best to radiate a sense of “wealth.” Go with friends; I promise you’ll have a laugh! And yes, they have Western music. Finding it is often the hard part; ask an attendant for help!
Cupping
A beyond-weird, slightly painful, strangely enjoyable experience.
Get shoved by small old ladies
They WILL fight you. It’s the oldest, most fragile ones that are most aggressive.
Nice post.
Thank you!
Have had the tofu….while the taste was good, the smell seemed to follow me around. I guess it is pretty hard to not exhale right into your own nose.
I couldn’t get past the smell, and I think that influenced how it tasted to me! I’ll give it another shot 🙂