Chinese Food

 

This is probably not what you think of when someone says Chinese food, but it is a popular treat here. The base is shaved ice, but it is shaved very fine and is more like ice cream than a snow cone. There is fruit and syrup and all kind of very sweet things that can go on top including beans (yes sweet beans) and boba (chewy balls) and sorbet.

I decided to start with something obviously different to make a point. Most of the food Americans think of when we think of Chinese food is really Americanized Chinese food. The Americanized version is often breaded meat and often sweet. I don't think I've ever eaten anything like Orange Chicken or Kung Pao chicken in Taiwan.

There is a huge variety of food here. There are a lot of noodle dishes -- beef noodles seem especially popular. The Taidong area has a lot of chicken done in a particular way. Squid, octopus, clams, mussels, and shrimp are also popular. 

It is normal to cook almost all parts of an animal. People eat chicken and pig feet, intestines, and chicken hearts. Fish heads and eyes are also cooked. In fact, the cooked deli style Costco rotisserie chicken comes with a bonus. (Yes Costco is in Taiwan).

They also have a lot of bakeries. They don't really sell a lot of loaves of bread, they mostly sell specialty bread treats. By the way, most treats are not nearly as sweet as American treats (the shaved ice and some drinks are an exception).

Fruit is very popular here. There are more varieties available and it is very fresh and delicious. Most meals will end with some cut up fruit. Right now that is often guava.

One of my kid's favorite Chinese foods is very simple, a tortilla with green onions and eggs. In Taiwan this is usually eaten for breakfast. 

Click here for more pictures of some of the yummy food I've already had in Taiwan, and some of the great people we've eaten with.

On the first mission I went on I made the commitment to try everything I was offered at least once. I still do the same, and like to try new things. I like some better than others, but am amazed at all of the different, good things there are to eat.

Just as in America, eating food together is an important part of Chinese culture, and people have been very kind to invite us to eat with them.