Do you know this mystery food item?

[Leggy Peggy]

Hi folks
Long-term Zaarite -- Bonnie G #2 -- has made us all jealous by moving to China recently.
She's thrilled about it and all the new foods she's 'meeting'. But she stopped by this forum to ask for some help, ideas and suggestions relating to all those amazing ingredients she is finding in the markets and in restaurants.
So we decided to start this thread so Bonnie can post photos of the mystery foods she encounters. This way we can tap the wisdom of other Zaarites, so she (and we all) learn more about the foods and ingredients and how to use them. Bonnie says she has two photos to post, so let's get going.

[Bonnie G #2]

Oh I'm so excited, here's something we found when we went to dinner - it was a sea food resturant so I know that's what it is, but not sure WHAT! Can't wait to find out so I can show off to DH:



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[Rinshinomori]

Hi Bonnie!

Top is sea cucumber....Chinese love this. I try not think about it when it have a dish containing this because I do like the texture. This is def. Chinese thing.

I think the lower picture is geoduck.....I thought you would notice this coming from Washington state. It is very good.

[Bonnie G #2]

Rinshinomori wrote:
Hi Bonnie!

Top is sea cucumber....Chinese love this. I try not think about it when it have a dish containing this because I do like the texture. This is def. Chinese thing.

I think the lower picture is geoduck.....I thought you would notice this coming from Washington state. It is very good.

Sea Cucumber - is that a fish and do you cook it or do they eat it raw??

Geoduck?? Never saw or heard of it, is it a fish or duck?? I've never seen anything quite like it before.

[Bonnie G #2]

Thought I'd use this space to tell you about my day exploring:

A lovely day here in Beijing today, the sun is out and actually only needed a light jacket outside so I went out and did some exploring. Found a wonderful jewelry store that sold local jade and pearls. Of course I didn't buy anything as that will have to be purchases that are planned for but it was fun looking. Then I went to lunch, my first time by myself and had what they called "California Sandwich" believe me it was not anything like what I'd see in Calf. but it was good, added a cappachino and it was wonderful. When I tried to leave a tip (the service was wonderful) the waitress refused it - found out later they do not tip here. Lesson learned!!

Then walked through a park and it was so lovely, one part of it was totally dedicated to excercise equipment. They had everything - stationary bikes, something like a treadmill (only not power) elipticals, not to mention a ton of other things that you would see in the very best and modern of gyms. Just everything run by people power - not electric. Don't even need a gym here!!! Just go to the park.

It was fun seeing things like that and I think this spring I'll be taking advantage of it.

Here's a picture of just a small part of the park:

[Leggy Peggy]

What's your address -- I'll be there in a flash

But seriously, fancy having a free gym in your neighbourhood -- I pay $47 a month for my membership, and go at least three times a week. Have just been today. And how fun to wander through the shops. So much temptation.

Rinshiomori is right about the sea cucumber and geoduck, which is a kind of weird salt water clam. The links are to what Wikipedia has to say about each. I first had sea cucumber in the mid-1980s. Like Rinshinomori said -- try not to think about what you are eating because they are very tasty. Do try some while you are there as the Chinese know how to prepare them. I prefer mine sliced rather than having a whole one slapped on my plate -- makes them better disguised I reckon. I've never had geoduck -- well not that I know of. Sometimes it's best NOT to know what you're eating.

[Rinshinomori]

Wow Bonnie, you look like you are having a great time from the get-go. I see snow there.

I love the park you went to - how nice. Are you living in a house or apartment complex? How long will you be in Beijing?

The geoduck is very common in the Washington state and my first time having it was in WA. It's usually served sliced thinly. I've never seen them served whole like this - it's pretty strange looking like that. For some reason I think the area around Squiem WA (I'm sure I got the spelling all wrong on this town) is known for geoduck.

Sea cucumber - again, I've never seen them served whole like this. Very strange looking aren't they?. I've had them thinly sliced in Chinese style salads. I did not know the surface looked like that because it's usually whitish color - probably the skin is taken off.

[Leggy Peggy]

Hey, Nona, are you up late or awake early?
I've had sea cucumber in many ways -- have had it twice whole.
A whole one is rather daunting, but still tasty.
And the ones I had whole were larger than the ones in Bonnie's photo.

[Rinshinomori]

Leggy Peggy wrote:
Hey, Nona, are you up late or awake early?
I've had sea cucumber in many ways -- have had it twice whole.
A whole one is rather daunting, but still tasty.
And the ones I had whole were larger than the ones in Bonnie's photo.

I went to bed really early tonight after having St. Pat's dinner with beer. Since I stopped drinking beer (trying to get some weight off), I now seem to fall asleep whenever I have beer - this happened twice already. Ok with wine though. And here it is almost 5am. Maybe I should try to get back to bed again

[Bonnie G #2]

No pictures today as DH had a 24 hour bug and was home sick all day so I had to spend it in taking care of him.

We live in an apt. complex (like 12 stories tall) that DH's company provides for us. It's clean and nice, but pretty basic and we'll have to get several things before it's comfortable enough to allow me to cook in. The kitchen is small, but has a nice gas stove top - no oven (I'll get a microwave and a large toaster oven) and a small fridge so adequate. It's 2 bedrooms, with one small bath, have TV with cable so we can get English speaking shows and high speed internet so I've got all the things that are important to me.

We live in a complex that was built to house visitors for the Olympics and the Bird's Nest is visable right from our window. The area has many resturants of all types available within walking distance and if you need to take a taxi they are plentiful and cheap so it's a good area to be in.

The park is right across the street and I've noticed that these park areas are frequent in all areas we've visited. I'm very impressed by the Chinese and their apparant interest in maintaining good health.

Yes, that was snow you saw, last Sunday we had quite a snow storm that lasted all day, they don't seem to have snow plows but folks get out and brush it away with brooms as best they can. The snow has melted now and it's supposed to get up to 60F so I'm hoping that's the last for the season.

One thing that I love so far is how clean and neat everything is, even the subways have no graffiti and I have not yet seen even one begger or street person. My first impressions of this country are very positive and I'm looking forward to learning more about it and exploring all it has to offer.

I'll have more pictures tomorrow after we go shopping.

[Celticevergreen]

Rinshinomori wrote:
Squiem WA (I'm sure I got the spelling all wrong on this town)

Sequim WA, The driest place on the Olympic Peninsula. Hood Canal has great geoduck harvests. I live about an hour away from Sequim - too bad I missed out on checking out the food photo - I got both in one look but haven't eaten either. Not much of a sea food fan.

I wish I could join you in Beijing. Was able to visit three times and each was a blast.

[Rinshinomori]

Bonnie - your life seems very exciting (and with some reservation I bet).....something my family experienced often coming from a military family always on the move. Although not always easy what I remember are good memories. Maybe memories are like that......even some bad times become muted and replaced with pleasant thoughts.

Your apartment would be a mansion in Tokyo (it is called that by the way in Japan) and seem to have most of the comforts of western living. The microwave and toaster oven is the norm too in Japan.

I did not realize it was that clean in Beijing. Maybe as the face of modern China to the world, they are trying hard to maintain the clean image. I did know about China and their concerns for keeping fit and healthy.

In this forum, both Stella Mae and Michael have been to Beijing. We would love to hear the continuing stories of your time there if you have time to write.

[Rinshinomori]

Celticevergreen wrote:


Sequim WA, The driest place on the Olympic Peninsula. Hood Canal has great geoduck harvests. I live about an hour away from Sequim - too bad I missed out on checking out the food photo - I got both in one look but haven't eaten either. Not much of a sea food fan.

I wish I could join you in Beijing. Was able to visit three times and each was a blast.

I figured you would have identified them immediately. I must admit, I try to avoid sea cucumber. But sometimes if someone else orders and offers to me, I will eat it. The taste is not bad, but I don't like what it is

[Rinshinomori]

BTW, geoduck is pronounced gooeyduck. Someone can correct me if this is wrong. For some reason I thought these clams were only found in the WA state area and was surprised to see your photo. I guess they are more widespread.

[Bonnie G #2]

We had planned to do some sight seeing on Saturday but woke up to one of the famous Beijing Spring sand storms - it was really strange, the wind blowing and this fine cloud (couldn't really see it, just felt it) of red sand in the air. It would get in your mouth and eyes and covered the cars. Now I know why so many of the natives here where those face masks. At any rate, as the wind was very cold, we decided to put of any major outside trips and just went grocery shopping and then stayed in.

Sunday we woke up to blue skiies and much improved weather so took off to see Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, we started out early with breakfast and then took a cab to the Square. The square was huge, it's supposed to be the largest gathering place in he world and the symbol of modern China. This is the place that Mao established the People's Republic. We got to see the goose stepping guards marching in it but it was really a barren place with no trees, benches or decorations. I guess they had to leave room for all the people it holds for the demonstrations.

From there we crossed over to the Forbidden City, that was much more interesting to me. This is the place where the emperiors used to live and no one was allowed in except for him, (the only un-castreated male) his eunichs, concubines. The roof tiles were all in yellow the royal color that no one else was allowed to use. This place goes back to the 1400's and it's hard to believe something so old could remain in such good condition. There is a lot of history here, but what really amazed me was the number of people that where there even though it is not considered aa peak season. We thought we had beat the crowds, boy I'd hate to think what the busy season is like.

After we left there Bob managed to follow a map and found the most excitiing shopping area located about 4 city blocks from where we where. This is not an eaxy task as the maps are all in Chinese so I was really proud of him.

The street was blocked off from traffic and had everything you can imagine, gucci, rolex, and all the other upscale shopes. However; my fav was a side street that had the real Chinese experiance. little shopes that you bartered for prices that had everything from food to silk and chopsticks. I loved it. Managed to find Baby Bonnie and Mikey a silk kimona type pj's, Kristy a jade bangle bracelet and me a set of lovely chopsticks.

Here's some photos from my latest shopping trip, this was in the fruit and veggie section: