Living in China

By Yolly R. Parker-Dixon

I HAVE lived or stayed for years in foreign countries, like Singapore, and has traveled to Japan and Korea and I love these places. When it comes to food, these places are wonderful, healthy and sanitary too!

Now that were are living in China for about four years now, which is not really a choice, ask me about food here and I will give you a head shake. Oh, they have superb food in China but you have to go to the right restaurants to be assured they’re clean. Of course, they’re not cheap.

Me, my daughter Eliya and my husband Geoff living happily together in China.

My friends and I here have found local restaurants where food is cheap and delicious too, but no assurance of cleanliness and sanitation. They eat absolutely everything in these restaurants: beef, pork, lamb, chicken, bats, dogs, cats, snakes, frogs, turtles… anything that moves is good for food. Living here this long, we haven’t seen a single bird flying in the sky because they eat them too. I’ve often wondered if China has laws that can protect animals. Imagine, no birds in this country?

Most of the food that we’ve found here, my husband can’t eat. I can’t eat them either because I’m afraid I’d get sick or something. When I feel this way, I always miss Pilipino food that’s why when we travel back home, I see to it that when I go back to China, I carry with me our own herbs and spices – those we can’t find here, so that I can cook all the food that I miss, like sinigang, binagoongan, kare-kare, you name it.

With my daughter Eliya and my friend Richie standing beside a tarp announcing our new business venture in China — that is, occasionally opening a restaurant that will cater Pinoy dishes to Pilipinos and foreigners.

Every time my friends would know I’m back from the Philippines, they’d go to my home and persuade me with their presence so I’ll cook for them because they also miss Pinoy food. Aside from that, they say they love my cooking, so why not?

This would go on for several times so I thought why not cook Pilipino dishes for everyone? I will cook not just for the Pinoy community here, but also for the ex-pats who love our dishes better than in China. My husband Geoffrey and I started inviting foreign friends to our house for dinner and serve Pilipino recipes. Of course, they love them. They love my chicken adobo; Bicol express, which they prefer hotter and spicier; the torta, usually ground pork or beef with egg and fried; my embutido and everything else I cook for them.

That’s it! This gave me the idea — why not a fine venue for all of these recipes and invite our foreign friends? Why not when it can also be income generating for me?

My husband Geoff (left, wearing red) and I (extreme right, wearing the traditional Pilipina kimona and saya) with our Pilipino and ex-pat friends during the opening of our restaurant in Shundeh.

My husband Geoff is checking if the dishes are ready.

After finalizing plans with a few of my Pinay friends, we picked August 4 as the date of our food business venture here in China.

It was exhausting! Buying all the things that we need; preparing and decorating the place we have rented; cooking the dishes; serving and entertaining at the same, phew! But it was really fun! Our place was packed, they love the food, everybody enjoyed, and we are very happy, of course!

Everyone’s asking when will be the next one? And that’s how we did it. Our venture is still not permanent yet but we set at least once or twice a month so friends and other foreign people coming to this place will have a taste of a different kind of food. And of course to boast, promote and be proud of our own.

And while Pilipino music is playing in the background, we donned our traditional costumes and showed them the true Pilipino hospitality and friendliness that you will find only with a Pilipino. Proud to be one!

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