Chinese restaurant food: What’s not authentic?

by Jamie Rhein on

The fortune cookie isn’t the only food that is not authentically Chinese. There are others–some I knew about just because many dishes served at Chinese restaurants in the U.S. didn’t originate in China, or if they did, have been altered to suit American palates. Most of the Chinese food I ate in Taiwan or Singapore didn’t look or taste similar to the food we pile on our plates at the China Buffet near our house in Columbus, Ohio. Although, it is a perfect place to eat with young children, unless you’re Anthony Bourdain, and, in that case, the food barely resembles food at all, authentic it’s not.

Back to Chinese food that didn’t hail from the “old country” meaning China. In this photo essay, Jennifer 8 Lee, New York Times reporter and writer of the book Fortune Cookie Chronicles: Adventures in the World of Chinese Food, presents info about food related items associated with China, but they aren’t really Chinese. Broccoli, for example, is not Chinese. That broccoli-chicken dish is an American version, although broccoli has made its way to Taiwan. I imagine there’s probably an altered American/Chinese version there. I don’t recall. I was too busy stuffing my face with other dishes.

Lee also knows a lot about what is Chinese culture and not Chinese culture about other food related topics, such as food containers. Cardboard cartons for Chinese take-out were created and popularized in the U.S., but Taiwan has a love affair going with Styrofoam. Environmentally friendly habits are not Taiwan’s strong suit. I do know that from experience. The few details presented in the photo essay, besides making me feel a bit hungry, put me in the mood for checking out Lee’s book.

Cathay Pacific’s 2008 All Asia Pass

by Jamie Rhein on

If you have 21 days between now and May 15 and August 20 through December 1, Cathay Pacific Airways has the All Asia Pass that gives travelers a chance to visit Hong Kong and up to four more cities in Asia. Prices range from $1,099 with two additional cities; $1,399 for three cities, plus Hong Kong; to $1,699 for the four cities and Hong Kong. With San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York as departure cities, you could probably snag an inexpensive flight to any of them if you plan early enough.

If I were going to take advantage of this ticket, I’d head to Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan and Cambodia. The first three, because I’ve been to each of them and have people I’d like to visit. Cambodia is a place I’d love to go. None of them are far from each other which would help maximize my time in the countries and not going from place to place. In Vietnam, I’d head north to Sapa, a place I haven’t been and see friends in Hanoi. In Thailand, I’d spend a day or two in Bangkok and then head to a beach somewhere. Taiwan would mean revisiting places I liked when I lived there, particularly Beipu and eating all the food I’ve missed since I left. Cambodia would mean new discoveries.

But, since as with most great travel deals, the summer is excluded and that’s when I would have the 21 days to spare, I can’t take advantage. Hopefully, others can. Except for Taiwan, it’s possible to travel in the other three on a shoestring. Hong Kong is good for a day or two, but I’d head to cheaper locations ASAP.

April showers are early: Here’s help

by Jamie Rhein on

We’re getting rain –again. When I drove up SR 23 Monday night after a quick trip to southeastern Kentucky, I could see the river ‘s waters shimmering, higher than normal. These are the days when having a decent umbrella on hand can save you from getting drenched and uncomfortable–maybe. If you get caught in one of Taiwan’s torrential rain, lots of luck. I remember wringing out my socks in a restaurant bathroom sink once.

One thing I like about one kind of umbrella in Taiwan is the plastic covering that folds like a plastic foldable cup, one section tucking into another when the umbrella is open. The compressed cup is at the top of the umbrella while the umbrella is in use. After you close the umbrella, the “cup” expands as each section slides over the nylon fabric and ribs until all are covered. The idea is that the covered umbrella does not allow water to drip over the floor. It kind of works. I did bring one back to the U.S. with me, but I don’t know where it is anymore. Such is the life of an umbrella.

Lisa Shin dove into the life of an umbrella a few years ago, vowing to try several to find the best. Her findings are here in this Slate article I came across when searching for info on the Taiwan style umbrella. No luck with that, but, from what I can tell, according to Shin, a cheap umbrella bought in Chinatown might work just fine. She details several umbrellas with pros, cons and prices of each. I was floored that someone would pay more than $20 for an umbrella. How about close to over $200!! They are so hard to keep track of. Are people nuts?

Getting a travel agent–or not

by Jamie Rhein on

Yesterday I ran into a woman I know who is an avid traveler. Her trips are the type where you learn a thing or two–historical trips of famous European paintings, or something. I can’t quite remember, but I do know they are themed versions that she researches herself based on her interests. Yesterday, she told me she recently retired and is off this month to Hungary and another country whose name escapes me. (It’s a Kellie Pickler moment, not to be mean. We all have them.)

She mentioned how she has arranged this trip herself. “I’m not doing that again,” she said. “It’s worth the money to get a travel agent.” I’m under the impression she spent a lot of time on this do-it-yourself endeavor. Last I knew, she doesn’t have a computer at home. I assume she’s used the computers at the library since that’s where I saw her. Then we talked about how if you have a travel agent, you also have a person who can work on your behalf if you have a problem. Possibly, a travel agent might even find a cheaper deal.

Years ago I had a travel agent arrange a trip for me going from Albuquerque to Taiwan for a week, then to Japan for another week, then Honolulu for two weeks, then to Los Angeles for a layover of a couple of days before heading back to Albuquerque. The two tickets, one for me, and one for my traveling companion whose itinerary was different than mine, were screaming deals. Since I had given her the names of companies that were offering cheap fares from ads I saw in the Los Angeles Times, she told me I could book what she found myself. I let her do the booking and paid her fee. That seemed fair since she did most of the work. Obviously, I had one of those travel agents who was competent and dedicated.

We’ve also had a wonderful travel agent in Singapore who got us what we wanted, and we used one in Sri Lanka to find us the deals we were after. I say the more specific you are in your desire, the better your luck. Wondering about this, I checked over at Travel Troubleshooter columnist, Christopher Elliot’s blog to see what his take is on travel agents. Sure enough, a few days ago, he took on the question “Are travel agents worth the extra money.” He generally thinks so for the reasons I think. There some comments from people who differ. Maybe it’s a toss-up. Still, I’d tell my retired friend next time, find an agent with a good reputation so all she has to worry about is what to pack.

Living in IKEA: It can be done

by Jamie Rhein on

Anna’s post about IKEA brought back fond memories. Going to IKEA in Singapore and Taiwan were wonderful outings that helped us add affordable, aesthetically pleasing items to our apartments. IKEA saved me from despair in Taiwan. Not that I didn’t absolutely love our Taiwan apartment’s glass coffee and end tables with their chrome legs and the aquamarine colored vinyl-sided couch with its matching chairs.The chairs and couch had chrome legs to match the tables. When the apartment came furnished, I wasn’t quite counting on the colors and chrome. Let’s just say tastes differ. IKEA area rugs and throw pillows helped me tone down the noise a bit.

Each time I visited IKEA, a part of me wanted to live there. Mark Malkoff, a comedian/filmmaker did live in IKEA in Paramus, New Jersey for 6 days in January when his Manhattan apartment was being fumigated for cockroaches. Here’s the YouTube video of Mark’s first day. You’ll see some of the items Anna mentions. All the videos from the six days are on Mark’s Web site, Mark lives in IKEA . Here’s a link to the ABC News clip that gives a rundown of the story.