Why Jamaican Chinese food is "irie"

A Jamaican blogger explains it all:

Chinese Food

I feel for some Chinese food now! Hey, like most Jamaicans, I-an-I love Chinese food bad bad, you know. Trust me, we doh romp with chinese food at all... maybe thats because it tastes so damned irie.

Actually, you know what I've found? I have had chinese food at a number of places, including New York, Philly, Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles and probably a few more places that I don't remember, and nowhere else has it tasted as irie as it does back a Yard. Anybody else agree with me?

I know a couple of people who agree whole heartedly, and one of them offered his hypothesis as to why this is so. He said that the Chinese tend to use ingredients local to the area where they are making the food. By that, I mean that they may introduce some of the seasonings which they find in their current location into the menus they offer, thus changing the taste of the meals somewhat. Also, he felt that they might even adapt some of the local cooking methods and blend them with their own methods, and in many of these cases, the synergy of the two methods of cooking just stands head and shoulders above what either method could produce on its own.

It sounds plausible to me...

This is from The Mad Bull's blog. WARNING: This site is, as advised, NOT WORKPLACE SAFE, or parental control-safe.

Quote of the week

From Rebecca, on "The Amazing Race", 2/08/05:

“If we eat Chinese food in China, it won't be Chinese food, it'll just be food.”

It's just food to me, too, Rebecca.

The path to West Liberty, Iowa

An interesting article in the Muscatine Journal gives an account of the decision process which brought a new Chinese restaurant to West Liberty, Iowa, thanks to a Chinese immigrant living in New York. Factors included desire for a post-9/11 lifestyle change, and the presence of a built-in market in the form of a large Hispanic community.

New Yorker picks West Liberty as place for new Chinese restaurant

Finding the real stuff in Yokohama's Chinatown

The Japan Times goes In search of the real flavor of Yokohama's Chukagai and finds four restaurants worth seeking out. They conveniently provide a map, too.

Here's where I would head first:

It's easy to overlook Togenton, tucked away on the side street known as Shanghai-dori. It is currently celebrating its 45th anniversary and, frankly, it does look its age. Even so, it remains one of our longtime favorites, precisely because of its homey appearance and the cramped intimacy of its few tables.

This is one of the few places in the area where you can eat Chinese style congee (kayu in Japanese) complete with you-tiao, those long, deep-fried dough sticks that are an essential part of breakfast to countless millions in Shanghai and northern China. So what if Togenton doesn't open till lunchtime? That thick, smooth, stomach-warming rice porridge still tastes just as comforting in the afternoon.

Jamaica's love affair with Chinese food

Several Jamaicans explain their love of Chinese food and pick their favorite Kingston Chinese restaurant in this article in the Jamaica Observer.

A sample:

Dolores "Dolly" Bloise

We all love Chinese food and the portions allow a family to choose different dishes and share some of each. Another reason why I like it is that most Chinese food is low-fat. For my son's birthday we chose Dragon Court (South Avenue) because I have been there before and like the variety of dishes and ambiance; the service is excellent and the price is reasonable. My husband's birthday is today and we are going to order take-out Chinese food to celebrate.

Tasty Food in Dhaka

A new Chinese/Bangalees restaurant becomes the talk of the town, according to a review in the New Nation.

The restaurant is neatly tucked away at a quiet corner on the road and the interior has a cosy feel to it. From the outside it might look like a small place but they have plenty of space. At least, 70 peoples can take seats in this bistro. The décor is very simple and, thankfully, there is no disorganized mess. Indigo walls, crimson chairs and the tables are covered with green chequered tablecloths while the food is served in clean white dishes.

Needless to say that the menu includes mainly of Chinese food and Bangalees food. I believe that some of their mouth-watering menus come to there again. Some Bangalees dishes are plain rice, spicy meat, varieties vegetables curry, fry fish, kabab, kopta, chicken, beef, mutton and some of our local and sea fish.

The menu boasts some exotic dishes such as fried rice, different categories soup, wonthuns, fried chicken, spring rolls, burgers, fried chickens, chicken roast, fried prawn, meat boll, spicy less vegetable and some others lip licking menus.

In their grill section you will find all types of grilled meat. But the range of price is not high. A middle class family easily goes there and leaves the place with smiling face.

Their have another section comprised only of ice cream, coffee and fruits. Price range of this section between Tk50 to Tk100. The bill is reasonable and the waiters in their black bow ties were most genial. This eatery is now a talk of the town for its verities menus and reasonable prices.