Cantonese Seafood

Trip Start Jun 03, 2006

132

Trip End Jun 03, 2009

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Flag of China Shenzhen, China
Sunday, May 20, 2007

Make no mistake, food is far beyond simply being of primary importance in this part of the world, even more so than in other parts of China. Wherever I've been in China, food is the number one topic of conversation and defines regions, provinces and even small villages. Food is far more than a feeding or even a simple social occasion: days are made by the study, discussion and eating of food in Guangdong. Whilst it might be a little alien to me, it is certainly not disagreeable.

Nonetheless, I'm not a big fan of the often soft and sticky textures of Cantonese cooking in comparison to the range of more succulent wheat and meat based diets of northern China. However, when it comes to seafood, Guangdong is the place to be. I hadn't forgotten this, but I'd be lying if I said it hadn't slipped my mind a little given the recent scandals over chemical fish feed on the local fish farms. That and my current lifestyle have contrived to keep me away from seafood restaurants.

However, after a hot and sticky afternoon's walking and exploring potential homes we just happened to be passing a local street restaurant in BaiShiZhou. Everywhere were the tanks of fish and shellfish just waiting to be scooped up and whisked to the kitchen. The roadway was teeming with people - busy even by the standards of Southern China - and made for fascinating spectating whilst tucking into delicious scallops, crayfish, shrimps and something I can't even identify in English. Good company, good food, and a buzzing street atmosphere on a sultry evening. It's one of the attractions of life here!