Chinese food the world over

[Leggy Peggy]

My husband and I are travelling in South America for four months. I have
been so surprised to find Chinese food is widespread. In Bolivia and Peru
it has even been incorporated in the local cuisine.

So where have you had unexpected Chinese meals?

[Leggy Peggy]

Forgive me if I don't reply promptly. Tomorrow we set out on a 10-day tour
to the Antarctic. Internet will be iffy, so I'll be back about 10 December.

[SophieBell01]

I guess Chinese food is enough famous to be reached any where in the world. I enjoyed it in my Canada trip...

[Stella Mae]

It is very popular in Mexico. Cantonese Chinese were largely responsible for building the railroads across the states and into Mexico, so variations of Cantonese food are very prevalent in North America and Mexico. Mandarin cuisine isn't that well-known except for a few dishes like Lo Mien, Jiaozi and other dumpling dishes.

[Skipper/Sy]

Hello Everyone,

I have been following Leggy Peggy and her husband on their adventures and travels for about 1 year now. They have a blog and I followed their travels from UK to Eastern Europe into Asia, then Indonesia.... and to their home in Australia. Then they traveled across Australia on another travel experience. Currently in the past several months they have been traveling overland via a special truck (and a group) all through South America and once again very interesting to read about their experiences via their blog. Besides learning and seeing photos of so many countries and places they have traveled to... Leggy Peggy loves to cook food. So we get to see many interesting local markets and restaurants they have been to (and again with food photos).

Perhaps when they both eventually get back to Australia,they might post a few interesting photos and recipes for all of us to see.

Enjoy your travels..... and stay safe... and in the Antarctic stay warm!

Skipper/Sy

P.S. Wow, I forgot to say a few words about this thread. Here in New York City there is a large Chinese and Asian population, and as well as Hispanic and Jewish. So throughout the five boroughs you can find Spanish-Chinese restaurants... and even Kosher Chinese restaurants.

Leggy Peggy wrote:
Forgive me if I don't reply promptly. Tomorrow we set out on a 10-day tour
to the Antarctic. Internet will be iffy, so I'll be back about 10 December.

[duonyte]

I had a very good Chinese meal in Vilnius, Lithuania about 10 years ago when my brother was living there.

I have recently learned that Chinese food is popular in India - one of my local restaurants is an Indian-Chinese-Thai fusion place.

[Celticevergreen]

When I was living in Scotland, the best restaurant in the tiny community I was in was a Chinese restaurant. well, that and the local fish and chips shop.

Just got done reading a used copy of the Fortune Cookie Chronicles by Jennifer 8. Lee, who started inquiring about a Powerball (lottery) win where every winner of the jackpot stated they got their numbers off of a fortune in a fortune cookie and ended up on every inhabited continent except Antarctica trying to answer the mystery of fortune cookies and and also why Chinese food is the most popular restaurant food in most countries around the world. Really a cool book!

[Leggy Peggy]

Hi everyone

We're back from the Antarctic—where we had a couple of Chinese-themed meals on the ship. For example, sweet and sour soup last night to start.

Now we have two days in Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego. I hear that there used to be a Chinese restaurant here, but it failed because the food wasn't much good.

The big Chinese influence in South American food is in Peru, where there's a common and widespread fusion between Peruvian and Chinese cuisine. Can't say I love it, but it wasn't bad.

And yes, I promise to share some pics and recipes when I get back to Australia.

P.S. Celticevergreen, thanks for the book tip. Sounds fun.

[Stella Mae]

I find it interesting that Chinese fortune cookies aren't even Chinese -- they're an American invention. The Chinese have never heard of it. But I do like these cookies, and it's always fun to find the fortune inside.

[chefromheart]

duonyte wrote:


I have recently learned that Chinese food is popular in India - one of my local restaurants is an Indian-Chinese-Thai fusion place.

Growing up in India Chinese was the first foreign food that was widely available and then came Pizza.

[Skipper/Sy]

Peggy,

I can hardly keep up with your whereabouts.... On was just on your Blog and thought you were still on the Antarctic ship, boating around! LOL
So wow, you are back from Antarctic now! Very interesting to hear your take on Chinese food in South America...

Skipper/Sy

Leggy Peggy wrote:
Hi everyone

We're back from the Antarctic—where we had a couple of Chinese-themed meals on the ship. For example, sweet and sour soup last night to start.

Now we have two days in Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego. I hear that there used to be a Chinese restaurant here, but it failed because the food wasn't much good.

The big Chinese influence in South American food is in Peru, where there's a common and widespread fusion between Peruvian and Chinese cuisine. Can't say I love it, but it wasn't bad.

And yes, I promise to share some pics and recipes when I get back to Australia.

P.S. Celticevergreen, thanks for the book tip. Sounds fun.

[Leggy Peggy]

Sorry to keep you guessing, Skipper/Sy. We're in Buenos Aires now.
I saw a Chinese restaurant this afternoon, but it was closed. I'll have to
check it out again tomorrow.
The really popular cuisine in Argentina, besides meat, is Italian.