I learned years ago that someone telling me 'I even saw a Chinese restaurant in that little African town' didn't mean anything because of course there was one there. I've tried to imagine the tenacity and boldness of a Chinese family, hauling their suitcases into some remote place and saying 'here we will build a restaurant'. And then succeeding.
My favorite pho place in Australia is called 24 Hour Pho, which makes the naming cut, right? It’s overpriced and totally not ‘authentic,’ yet I do not care because the owners are lovely (as are their kids, and their grandkids…), it’s pretty good, plus the perk is in the name.
My favorite pho place in Houston likewise disappeared one day, but used to do the most ridiculous, fully non-voluntary, Vietnamese whiskey shot balanced on chopsticks sat on a pint glass then banging the table til it fell in trick; I’ve been to Vietnam a few times and very much feel this is not a real thing, but do love that the owners invented (presumably) exactly what they knew drunk Houstonians would love.
Long live unintentional, adaptable soft power channeled through food!
I like Cantonese food or Shanghai or Fujian style Chinese cuisine. In Japan, where I live now, unlike in Aus, Chinese food is standardised into well known boring menus. To find a good spot you need to try hard…So, I enjoy this food when I’m in HK or Taiwan (:
We're fortunate in Australia to have a rich tradition of Chinese restaurants. Every country town has at least one, and it's often a Golden Dragon, service local versions of (usually) Cantonese dishes.
But at the other end, we also have some excellent high end places, with Flower Drum in Melbourne winning restaurant of the year recently, as well as celebrating its 50th year.
I grew up eating 'Sunday night Chinese' .... In an era when Australia's food culture wasn't quite as advanced as today, the local Chinese place was our go-to for dinner at the end of the weekend.
Oh yes, Australia has some incredible ones (although I have only been to a handful). I may have to pick your brain for some recommendations when the time comes. Sunday night Chinese is an absolutely great tradition, too.
I didn't know I was interested in this until I read the article. I had chaufa for the first time at a Peruvian restaurant in Mexico City. I couldn't wait to eat loads more in Peru. And I'm not in Valparaiso, Chile where there is a Venezuelan style Chinese restaurant. Even the adaptations spread.
I learned years ago that someone telling me 'I even saw a Chinese restaurant in that little African town' didn't mean anything because of course there was one there. I've tried to imagine the tenacity and boldness of a Chinese family, hauling their suitcases into some remote place and saying 'here we will build a restaurant'. And then succeeding.
Absolutely, well said.
My favorite pho place in Australia is called 24 Hour Pho, which makes the naming cut, right? It’s overpriced and totally not ‘authentic,’ yet I do not care because the owners are lovely (as are their kids, and their grandkids…), it’s pretty good, plus the perk is in the name.
My favorite pho place in Houston likewise disappeared one day, but used to do the most ridiculous, fully non-voluntary, Vietnamese whiskey shot balanced on chopsticks sat on a pint glass then banging the table til it fell in trick; I’ve been to Vietnam a few times and very much feel this is not a real thing, but do love that the owners invented (presumably) exactly what they knew drunk Houstonians would love.
Long live unintentional, adaptable soft power channeled through food!
Love it but sad that your Houston spot closed. That is a cool riff on a ‘Saki Bomb’ and have never heard of that before.
Fascinating!
I like Cantonese food or Shanghai or Fujian style Chinese cuisine. In Japan, where I live now, unlike in Aus, Chinese food is standardised into well known boring menus. To find a good spot you need to try hard…So, I enjoy this food when I’m in HK or Taiwan (:
Yes I agree, in Japan it is a bit tougher to find a good spot. But you’re very close to those other great spots so that does work out quite well!
Great post Scott, thank you.
We're fortunate in Australia to have a rich tradition of Chinese restaurants. Every country town has at least one, and it's often a Golden Dragon, service local versions of (usually) Cantonese dishes.
But at the other end, we also have some excellent high end places, with Flower Drum in Melbourne winning restaurant of the year recently, as well as celebrating its 50th year.
I grew up eating 'Sunday night Chinese' .... In an era when Australia's food culture wasn't quite as advanced as today, the local Chinese place was our go-to for dinner at the end of the weekend.
Oh yes, Australia has some incredible ones (although I have only been to a handful). I may have to pick your brain for some recommendations when the time comes. Sunday night Chinese is an absolutely great tradition, too.
Scott, I'd be happy to help
I'd be happy to help
I didn't know I was interested in this until I read the article. I had chaufa for the first time at a Peruvian restaurant in Mexico City. I couldn't wait to eat loads more in Peru. And I'm not in Valparaiso, Chile where there is a Venezuelan style Chinese restaurant. Even the adaptations spread.
You found the sequel to the sequel my friend and each still manages to taste like home to someone.