6 Things I Learned Eating With Asians

Posted on February 8, 2017 by

15 Comments

Eating is an adventure in Asia and there is so much to share I want to burst! But I’ve limited myself to my favorite 6.  Make sure you follow my blog because soon comes food preparation which is interesting for anyone who likes to eat.

First, why.  Why seek out foods from other cultures?  Research shows that variety and not monotony is important in eating for several reasons: it feels good, challenges our minds, and strengthens relationships through experience! To read more about variety check out this article in Prevention: http://www.prevention.com/eatclean/eating-same-foods-everyday

6 Lessons We Can All Learn From Asians

Nothing Goes To Waste

fish-on-a-plate
Fish on a plate is very common throughout Asia, some of the best meat is in the skull and the eyeballs.
innards
Animal innards from liver, heart, to intestines of a cow or pig are eaten as delicacies.

 

Food Should Be Convenient

watermelon
One of my favorite things about Asia is buying fruits along the side of the road. They even cut it right there for you!
view-of-market-with-ann-talking
I will say that I stand out at a bit at the markets here especially when I start speaking their language!
hong-kong-street
Streets of Hong Kong lined with food shops and bakeries.

Protein Comes Big and Small

bugs
There are so many more protein sources than what I was taught! Bug, spiders, flying insects, duck eggs, grubs, and if you close your eyes their not bad!
fish-ellers
Fish of all sizes but the title ones are the most common. They eat the bones and all! These are sold along our streets everyday.

The Louder The Smacking The Better: no pics, just saying!

Eat More Often

callie-snails
Most Asians eat many small meals throughout the day. A common snack is snails with spicy stuff, my daughters favorite!

Community, the best lesson of all was learned my first year.  I noticed the Khmer making curry and crushing fresh spices by hand along with garlic and peppers.  Feeling for them, a friend bought them a food processor.

lady-at-grind-stone
A grind stone to grind rice.

They turned it on and watched the blade spin with utter fear, looked at us and said “we like sitting and crushing spices together.”  The food processor never got used.  I learned a lot through that.  They sit all afternoon together and make food while talking about issues or husbands and laughing the entire time.  Food is community in Asia and not just eating it.

Could we cook together more often? How do you feel about cooking with others? In America, I feel a bit awkward but natural here in Asia. Lets poll and see.

I often get asked, “what is the strangest thing you’ve eaten in Asia?” I would have to say Porcupine!

porcupine
Stir fried porcupine and peppers.

Explore your world and tell me, what is something strange you have eaten?

 

Category: Café Overseas

15 Comments on “6 Things I Learned Eating With Asians”

  1. Wow great and loved this beautiful post of yours Marc and Ann. So lovely people are there in the East and feel so nice and warm to be with them and eat their delicious food. The pictures too are so lovely. Great post.

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  4. The strangest food? I really love octopus and yes, calf fries too. Well I don’t love calf fries but the times I’ve had them, they were delicious!

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  5. I’m not sure how strongly I want you all to hold me to this….but I’ll try anything once when I come in the fall!

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    • 😂😂😂 That is hilarious. I need some humor in my life, please check out my other blogs and let me laugh over them too! Seriously, tell me something odd you eaten?!

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