China and Food

[ProspectorsQuartet]

May some gods help me...

I am going on a little journey shortly to mainland China. Food is a whole different beast over there, and there is little that I know about it at this point.

Any one with experience with Chinese food that could help me navigate the terrain a bit?

I know location heavily influences what food is available. I will generally be in the northeast/central regions for my time there (Zhejiang/Shaanxi/Jilin Provinces).

I'm also curious about any Chinese persons who have had to deal with telling people/family that they cannot eat certain things because of allergies/conditions. Is there a nice way to do with without getting in serious hot water with folks?

Thanks in advance.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Just be sure to talk with your GI. Bacteria native to other countries should always be a concern when traveling abroad. I'd make sure to eat in very clean and well known establishments like hotels for fear of contaminated ingredients. What might not affect the local population may get you very sick.

 

[Beach]

I have not been to China myself, but used to work with a main land Chinese fellow from Liaoning province. While the food is different, many of the same fast food joints found here can be found there in the major cities. KFC is big, as is Starbucks, I recall. Many of the same big block shopping centers can be seen there too. My friend shops at Walmart frequently.

The main concern I recall was the quality of the food. Food safety is lacking, and it always worried my friend, who in addition has a sensitive stomach and is a picky eater. For example, despite the nuclear melt down in Japan a year or so ago, he did his best to buy Japanese food as he found that safer.

Hope the trip goes well!

 

[Dukeis]

May some gods help me...

I am going on a little journey shortly to mainland China. Food is a whole different beast over there, and there is little that I know about it at this point.

Any one with experience with Chinese food that could help me navigate the terrain a bit?

I know location heavily influences what food is available. I will generally be in the northeast/central regions for my time there (Zhejiang/Shaanxi/Jilin Provinces).

I'm also curious about any Chinese persons who have had to deal with telling people/family that they cannot eat certain things because of allergies/conditions. Is there a nice way to do with without getting in serious hot water with folks?

Thanks in advance.

I traveled to mainland China in the past. Never had any real problems with the food. I basically ate about the same as I do in the states. I taught a shop owner how to make a New Orleans style Po'boy sandwich. They had some great french bread so I made a sandwich.

Just be sure not to drink the water. Buy bottled water to drink and brush your teeth.

 

[Maree.]

We visited China few years ago and found that even if they had very little English staff in restaurants tried really hard and were incredibly patient for trying to understand what we customers wante and to please

We had a phrase book where we could point to sentences in Mandarin which was helpful but also found that for specific instructions and requests it was really useful to get them written in Chinese characters, so we could show them to people. Generally the counter staff at our accomodation had good English and we're happy to help with this.

I did a websearch and noticed this site that has an overview of Chinese food including talking about food from different regions: http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/menu/

They've also got a link to page with a range of Chinese statement related to food intolerences. The basic approach here seems to be outlining dietary issues as to what can and can't eat, then asking staff to recommend something, which is definitely a good fall back option when your somewhere where you can't understand what any of the dishes are. Perhaps you could ask someone to produce something similar for you relating to your specific dietary needs. Staff may not get it right but based on our experience I'm confident they will try their best to find something that matches your requirements.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

This is a review of safe and not so safe traditional Chinese foods for Crohns. Hope it helps somewhat.

http://m.voices.yahoo.com/you-still-eat-chinese-food-if-crohns-1030467.html

 

[Beach]

Saw this German suitcase food invention and thought it might come in handy for your Asian trip. What else to expect from Germany, land of the wonderful weinerschnitzel. :ytongue:

http://www.dietdoctor.com/how-to-ea...&utm_campaign=how-to-eat-low-carb-on-the-road

 

[ProspectorsQuartet]

Saw this German suitcase food invention and thought it might come in handy for your Asian trip. What else to expect from Germany, land of the wonderful weinerschnitzel. :ytongue:

http://www.dietdoctor.com/how-to-ea...&utm_campaign=how-to-eat-low-carb-on-the-road

That's priceless.

This is a review of safe and not so safe traditional Chinese foods for Crohns. Hope it helps somewhat.

http://m.voices.yahoo.com/you-still-eat-chinese-food-if-crohns-1030467.html

I think this is what I was kind of hoping for. 'Preciate it NGNG!



Thanks everyone for the ideas. I'm hoping for a great experience with or without Crohn's consent!