There’s nothing like starting a trip in Shanghai with a morning breakfast meal of Shanghainese street food to get the motors revving. On the way to a bit of cultural immersion and sightseeing, the group stopped at a rustic looking little vendor’s stall where some of the most amazing Shanghainese breakfast crepes were being assembled with swift skill and dexterity.
In a flash, the lovely lady creating the crepe had spread a paper-thin coating of batter on a hot iron plate, cracked one fresh egg over it, followed that up with a dab of chili paste, dried, salted shrimp and fresh spring onion. An accordion like folding of said crepe ensued and the next thing you know, the paper dosa-looking creation was cut in half and placed in plastic baggies for consumption. The slightly sweet crepe base was set off by the salty shrimp and spicy chili- it was a wonderful way to start the day.
Chinese Sushi- the Breakfast of Champions!
The Ci Fan, or Chinese Sushi as our intrepid guide Rudy Guo called it, was new to this writer’s taste buds. White and red glutinous rice is spread on a bamboo mat and then a long, thin, crisp crueler-like pastry is placed in the middle and carefully rolled. Some locals opt for a sprinkling of sugar on their crueler (or you-tiao as they’re called), before the rice encases the pastry. This is usually chased with a glass of warm soy milk or a hearty bowl of tofu soup.
Further along, we stopped at a dumpling stand where the most amazing dumplings or huntun are hand rolled and made to order on the spot. As is recommended by some Chinese friends (and numerous blogs), it’s best if you just enjoy the ride and focus on the yummy soup being expertly prepared in front of you. Once you start to hone in with eagle-like focus to every little detail- you’ve gone and ruined a perfectly good time. Yes, you may notice the rat that ran down the alleyway with a bone in its mouth or the fact that the bowls have a left over smear of who-knows-what. So to you folks I suggest you bring your own chopsticks (or sporks) and a pair of dark sunglasses. True, street-side dining al fresco is not for everyone, but it would be a shame to leave Shanghai without even a nibble or two of some of its street-side delights.
Fantastic Huntun (aka Dumplings)
The huntun for example, filled with pork and scallion and wrapped in delicate flour skins, are not to be missed. If you’re more of a noodle fan, try the la mian or hand pulled noodles that are as long as your leg! Prepared a la minute and doused in some hot pork broth with a few green onion slivers, you can add some chili paste if you want a little more fire. Don't forget to try the famous Shanghainese soup dumplings available in numerous sizes- but watch your mouth- the broth inside is white-hot (just ask one of our mouth-blistered chefs from the nation's capital!).
If you follow the same rules employed when travelling to other parts of the world- you should be A-OK. Here are some friendly tips to keep the Traveler’s Tummy away (especially if you're the squeamish sort):
- If it’s boiled, steamed, fully baked or roasted, chances are it’s going to be fine to eat.
- If the oil smells old, looks old and everything looks too deeply coloured and totally “fried,” take a pass. It might be old (read: really old) oil and you don’t want that.
- Carry your own chopsticks or spoon if you’re easily grossed out by mysterious smears on chopsticks. If it's hot broth/soup going into a bowl, you should be fine.
- If you can peel it (fruit that is) - it’s safer to eat than non-peelable fruit.
- The Chinese like their MSG, so many suggest you drink herbal tea to combat the effects.
- Common sense alert- bring hand sanitizer and tissues or wet wipes to clean up after a street meal. You'll be glad you did!
- Still not convinced? OK- then take a Dukoral Oral Vaccine before travelling (three in our group did) - it's not a 100% guarantee against traveler's tummy, but it's some insurance against a fun-busting time.
- And most of all - ENJOY! You certainly aren’t going to see these kind of street eats in Toronto (or most of North America for that matter ) anytime soon!
Hungry for more? Check out the Chinese Afternoon Tea post and get refreshed!
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