my review of anthony bourdain’s hong kong episode

I’m back in New York and discovering a new side of myself, the side that is apparently obsessed with Chinese food. I didn’t know I had it in me. I’ve always enjoyed the occasional spring rolls or Dim Sum Go Go, but never scoured nymag.com for their best Chinese picks, hoping to make it my way of life. Basically all I want to do now is eat gluten, prepared Sichuan-style.

For this, I blame the Chinese people and Anthony Bourdain.

Filed under anthony bourdain food hong kong

40 notes &

September 14, 2011

globalization hasn’t ruined everything

As I’ve written ad nauseum, Starbucks is all over Beijing and Hong Kong. So are Subway, KFC, and 7-11. All this had me almost convinced that—at least on a shallow, touristy level—globalization has wiped out all cultural differences except the language barrier. At least in the big cities.

But I was wrong!

And the good news is: There are still plenty of opportunities for old fashioned culture shock in big cities. Such as cicadas-as-snacks:

They are supposedly low in fat and high in protein.

If only I’d tried them! (I didn’t see any Chinese people eating them, either, by the way.) BUT THEY WERE FOR SALE IN THE HUTONG! Right next to Scorpions, which I thought I’d have to seek out in the food market.

Filed under food china hong kong travel

66 notes &

September 12, 2011

Asia… where I blend right in.

So this is pretty cool. (I don’t know what those characters mean, but I am guessing something along the lines of “Hong Kong.”) Thanks, rigidmorality for making this super awesome sign!

(Source: rigidmorality)

Filed under China Hong Kong citizenkerry rigidmorality

47 notes &

September 8, 2011

pictures of hong kong with (relatively) little commentary from me

I’ve decided that Hong Kong is the easiest city in the world in which to be a tourist. Public transportation is a breeze, there’s great signage in English (and Cantonese, but duh), and almost everyone speaks some English.

It’s Chinese London!