We’ve all been faced with sudden food impulse purchases.
If the sight of something luscious doesn’t first catch our attention, the fragrant aroma or the comforting vendor surely will. Sometimes, like in the case of Mama Chapati, it was all the above that lured me in.
The entire continent of Asia is a culinary playground; I tend to find myself in a daze of grazing from one snack to the next.
So when walking through the odd town of Sanjiang, China, it was this motherly lady with an assortment of steamed goodies that made me stop in my path.
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Her delightful breakfast meal first began with a blob of yellowish glutinous rice which she picked up in a paper thin plastic bag.
She scooped it out with the bag inside-out and then quickly maneuvered it back outside-in and full of rice.
From there it was a personal choice as to what toppings to layer on top. She had about 12 different items, each a unique salty flavor and I wanted to sample all of them – but knew I should use self control to limit my pickings.
I went with a selection that included a fried egg, salted tofu, preserved fish, and some whole roasted green peppers.
She piled everything in the bag and tied it up so the steam from each ingredient blended together. The combination almost melted together forming a true comfort food.
I gladly paid my 4 CNY (about $0.63 US), extremely excited.
Unfortunately there are no photos of my final take-away, I was too hungry and gobbled it down before I could get a shot off!
Apart from meaningful cultural encounters, it’s the little home style cooked treats like this that leave me smiling and happy to be traveling!
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Jen Laceda
12 years ago
Hi Mark,
I’m part Chinese and I haven’t even been to China yet!!! Argh! it is my dream to reach the “Motherland” one day. LOL. Anyway, these pics are tempting me to plan a trip soon! But maybe after the birth of baby #3!!! Can you believe? I’m at baby #3 now…quite an unexpected turn of events that sidelined my travelling. Oh well, I will travel vicariously through you…!! Hope you are well and healthy 🙂
Mark Wiens
12 years ago
Great to hear from you Jen – and congratulations on #3! That’s awesome news to hear! I didn’t know you were part Chinese as well – I am also 1/2 Chinese (my mother is from Hawaii, but Chinese), and this was my first time ever to China. It was a dream as well. It was especially interesting for me because I realized a few of the cultural things that came straight from China that my Chinese relatives do.
I’m doing well, just got back to Bangkok from being in China and Sri Lanka the past few months. Hope you and your family are doing well and healthy as well. I hope we can meet and eat sometime in the future!
Annie – FootTracker
12 years ago
We have something similar in Taiwan, except instead of just piling everything on top, we make it into a gigantic rice roll ^_^
The yellow rice the lady is using is more healthy since it contains more fiber. My family use to mix that with white rice together XD
Mark Wiens
12 years ago
Mmmm, I’m sure Taiwan’s version is delicious as well! Anything that’s rolled up into a gigantic rice roll is awesome! Thanks for sharing Annie.
Turkey’s For Life
13 years ago
I’m always jealous of the foodie pics you put on your blog! They tempt me so much. Well done for limiting your pickings! We’ve just got back from Istanbul and did nothing but sample (eat) our way through the city. Bliss. 🙂
Julia
Mark Wiens
13 years ago
Thanks a lot Julia. I know that Istanbul has some amazing food as well, I can’t wait to try some of it sometime! I’m looking forward to some Istanbul food posts on your site!