An ancient art – not many practice – I think this is a dying art. Beating the hell out of your noodles was what the spouse called it. You see the man on the bamboo? he sits on it and bounce on it until the flour is all rolled up nice and springy. In fact – you don’t see this very often now – so when we were in California and saw a chinese restaurant that did that – we figured we had to go try out their noodles. I have to say that I do like their green tea noodles – in fact I liked it so much – I had to have another bowl before leaving the airport.
Check out their green tea as well – so rich and milky.
My children do not have Chinese eyes even though they are half Chinese – and the funny thing was when they were younger – other kids would teased them and do what the above kids did to my kids and then they would “taunt” my kids and said ” ohhh – I’m Chineseeeee!” When my kids came home crying about being teased – I would not get upset – and explained to my kids that it was true that they were half Chinese – since mummy was from Hong Kong and that they shouldn’t feel ashamed that they were half Chinese.
Of course, when you are a kid – you don’t feel as gung-ho as your mom and I understand it totally – but kids can be “mean” at times – and no matter what I said – it wasn’t going to comfort my kid. When I first arrived in Canada – everyone thought that I was from China – and at that time Hong Kong was still and independent country by itself – but as long as the locals saw me – they assumed that I only learned to speak English after I arrived.
My kids got tougher as the years went by and since we had to travel so much because of my spouse’s work – we didn’t get to stay in Canada for long – so they made new friends in Paris, in Switzerland and Holland. I really feel that the kids in Switzerland and Holland were much kinder too. Till this day – my kids are still in touch with their high school friends in both country. Now my kids make fun of themselves with those funny eyes thing. KIDS!
This is a local dish found in Penang, Malaysia – the flat noodles are made fresh – unlike the ones here – you find – that are slightly thinner and dried. If I wanted flat noodles now – I would have to soak them for hours before I can fried them. But this fried noodles is called kuay teow – I never used to like it – but now that I can’t have it – I craved for it. The spouse on the other hand travels a lot – so he gets to try different things. Look at how huge the prawns are – you can asked to add addition prawns like we do – when we go back home for a visit – which is not often – but we love the sambal that comes with it.
Posted by Chilli Padi | Posted in Chinese, Seafood | Posted on 11-11-2010
I missed my chilli crabs from home – so when seafood paradise open its door in downtown Vancouver – we were invited by a few Malaysian friend to try it out. The spouse who was very into spicy food – told the waitress he wanted it as spicy as it gets – so here it is ! Spicy chilli crab and by the time we were done, we were all in tears – and sweating big time. The next time we order chilli crabs – guess who isn’t doing the ordering. Food needs to be enjoyed and not to torture our tongue.
The husband found some chinese tarts in Hong Kong – to bring home for me, he knew i was craving for them. But he was stopped at custom and the refused to let him bring it into Canada. Luckily, he took some pictures of them when they came out fresh from the oven. I could eat 3 of these with a cup of teh-tarik !
I love the junk food but for our kid not so much. Our kid just started school this year and lunch boxes are encouraged by the school to get as healthy as possible. So we cooked chinese mushrooms, put in some tofu and chicken – white and rice for her to bring along to school. By packing this lunch, it isn’t messy and she can quickly eat them down and join her friends at the playground. I know what you are all thinking, why we didn’t give her a sandwich instead. Well, the kid is wierd and refuses to eat bread – and not only bread, just about anything new. I was told by family and friends that it will get better. One can always hope right.
Yam rice has always been my favorite – what about you? But it can be hard on the stomach – and get give you indigestion. Sometimes, I would make some home made yam rice for the family – unfortunately, they are not fond of it – so I end up eating most of it myself. Darn!
Prince Hotel – KL, Malaysia
Meritus Mandarin – Singapore
Mooncake with a twist – sponge cake like mooncake
Chicken Rice, still my favorite and had this the very first time when I was in Singapore, visiting my online g/f.
Posted by Chilli Padi | Posted in Asia, Chinese | Posted on 15-05-2010
The neighbours saw the wife cooking the above noodles and wonder what it was. It’s called Mee Pok, a kind of flat noodles, just like spaghetties but flatten. We don’t get this very often in Atlantic Canada but once in a while when are up in the city, the wife buys them and store them in the freezer. She have to remember to get to them before they get freezer burn though.
This is what the wife and daughter eats all the time, when she has the time to cook them at home – or when she misses her home. I tried some and it was alright.
