Tuesday 14 August 2012

Memories of China: Dining Adventures with my Brother

In China I tended to prefer going off with my younger brother Brian. It's not that I have anything against my younger sister Bree, it's just that she tends to be a bit more quiet and doesn't share the same humor as Brian and I. It's not as fun doing things with her I find.

She's also not as adventurous. Brian and I have the mentality of doing things simply because we can do it, it be funny or it would make a good photo. Bree holds back, doesn't want to make a scene or even look foolish for a moment. I guess she has too much pride.

Whereas Brian and I don't really care if we have people staring at us while we fumble at a restaurant because our Mandarin sucks. We'll laugh it off whereas Bree will get all grumpy.


Something my sister needs to do.

This story takes place in a mall that had multiple restaurants on the top floor. Everyone else wanted to go eat Chinese food for dinner. I certainly didn't want to, we'd be getting tons of that on with the tour starting on the next day. Brian agreed. So, the two of us headed off on our own to find something more suitable to eat.

We were in the mood for Japanese and there so happened to be a rather nice looking Japanese restaurant. We found it odd that there were no prices on the menu outside but we thought nothing of it and got a table.

And then promptly left when we realized we didn't have enough money.

It was an all-you-can-eat restaurant and for about 230RMB (~$30 CAD) to get unlimited foie gras, sea urchin and other delicacies it was a pretty good deal. But we didn't want to spend that much money on one meal. We had only brought so much RMB with us and didn't want to go through the hassle of converting additional cash while in china.

The idea of so much foie gras makes me hungry just thinking about it...

So we agreed on going to a Korean BBQ restaurant. I had never gone to one before so I thought it be nice to try it for once. Plus, Brian's girlfriend was Korean, she must have taken him to one of these before. He'll know what to do.

Nope, it's his first time too. His girlfriend hates Korean BBQs. Makes her clothing smell like meat afterwards or something.

And so, for the second time that evening. He and I try and communicate that our Mandarin is pretty bad and that we need help trying to figure out what's going on and what to do.

Yep.

Eventually we order a ton of meat and end up getting one of the hostesses to cook everything for us. I remember both of us feeling really sweaty and we couldn't tell if it was due to the heat of the BBQ, if we were getting meat sweats from eating so much meat, or it could have been because we were embarrassed.

The food was good, I rather enjoyed my first Korean BBQ meal. I'd go again if possible because I actually know how to do things now. And maybe it was a good thing we got a staff member to cook the food for us, that way we wouldn't end up with charred meat or food poisoning.


Mmmm... Delicious meat...

29 comments:

  1. haha sounds like fun just going and seeing what happens, good thing you had a cook though.

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  2. That's an interesting picture! (The meat...I'm a vegatarian. Looks very meaty.)

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  3. I'd need a translator if I were ever to go china. Sounds like fun, though.

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    1. yep. most definitely. they dont care if you dont understand their language, they would still only talk their way to you even when you clearly project that you dont speak or understand their language.
      i will not go back there unless i'm with some malaysians i know.

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  4. one of my first times in a korean restaurant was with this french date. we both knew nothing much about ordering it, but ordered anyway, ending up with more than we could eat, and smelling like meat.
    but i didnt mind it, it was good.

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  5. I used to go to a korean BBQ regularly with friends. So much fun.

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  6. Hahaha! U guys r funny! Luckily, I tried korean bbq too and it dfinetly tasted good, but yeah, must agree with ur bro's gf y she hates that. Hehe. Same thing with the reason y I dnt like being with a guy who smokes or any1.

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  7. Tried to comment yesterday but my computer detected Malware and I'm definitely like Bree, too much pride even for good food!

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  8. It's pretty cool that they do a self cooking thing in certain Chinese restaurants although it could cause complications. Your relationship with Brian sounds cool too, I love those sorts of friendships/relationships

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  9. Ah, so it was one of those tables with a grill or something in it? Cool! I would love to visit those if I ever get the chance!

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  10. Yummy! I love meat!

    And it's good that you had someone like Brian to do stuff with in China that wasn't a complete killjoy.

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  11. I love Korean BBQ; but there aren't many places here to get it.

    Meat sweats? That's a new one for me.

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  12. Korean BBQ. I'm intrigued.. this is something I'd HAVE to travel for, so I'm gonna not look it up too much.

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  13. I'm so full of pride, I'd learn a lot of Mandarin just because I would be stuck in china for a little while.
    No harm in learning languages, I guess. I'd give any language a shot!

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  14. did the hostess cook everything in front of you? that would be cool.

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  15. Bree sounds like a very nice and polite lady

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  16. Sounds great. I love some Korean BBQ. Just had some yesterday, actually.

    "His girlfriend hates Korean BBQs. Makes her clothing smell like meat afterwards or something."

    This is a BAD thing???

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  17. That poster was hilarious.
    What's the fastest animal in the world?
    Any cat in front of a Chinese restaurant.
    Not mine, but I like it.
    DISCLAIMER: I really like Chinese food.
    WOOF

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  18. All that food looks delicious. I'm going to my kitchen to make some good stuff right now.

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  19. I've never heard of Korean BBQ before--sounds like an interesting experience!

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  20. That is awesome! I have Korean friends who say the same thing...yeah I don't really want to go because I smell like bbq after I leave the place. You're baby sister will come around!

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  21. You can't go wrong when you're grilling meat over charcoal or an open flame. I'll take the smell on my clothes and in my hair.

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  22. I've never eaten Korean bbq...nice blog post.

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  23. I hope your sister doesn't read this blog!

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  24. I love the smell of Korean BBQ, so I don't mind smelling like it.

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  25. Love this post so funny and interesting!

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  26. Okay, I've never had Korean BBQ, so I'll have to try this sometime. I may not be able to pull my hubby away - he's the world's biggest carnivore. LOL Love the posts!

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  27. I had Korean BBQ one, my first time at a Korean restaurant. After that I got adventurous for the rest of the menu. Glad you liked it.

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