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Q: What are some of the most bizarre restaurants you've seen in your Chinese travels?
Could be bizarre-themed or just downright unintentionally freaky...
I've been to a crab place where they show you what your gonna eat. You just pick the crab you want. I've never seen that anywhere else. They have frogs in the tanks just staring at you.
Monterey:
you claim to be American but they have these types of restaurants in all western countries. Most seafood rest. have a live fish tank at the front so you can choose what you want to eat.
On Christmas Eve I was at a restaurant that specializes in seafood and other aquatic fare. That in itself is not bizarre however, when I was brought to the "Live Menu Room" as it was referred too, I was greeted by a 6 foot alligator fully disected and laying out for all to see, guts and all. Appetizing? I took a pass on ordering but my host certainly jumped on it and the next thing I knew it was front and centre on our table.. Tasted like chicken.
HugAPanda:
Alligator is good! Although, I could do without seeing a whole one with guts and all displayed.
I haven't been, but it's on my list of places to go.
Guo-li-zhuang Restaurant
For a menu that's unusual even by Beijing's standards, Andrew (Zimmern) goes to a restaurant that specializes in snake, deer and yak penis.
Xi Cheng District, Beijing, China
Dare ya!
http://www.travelchannel.com/tv-shows/bizarre-foods/episodes/beijing
derek:
I also saw the episode when he went to Chengdu and feasted on spicy rabbit head. It was referred to as "girl's food" because of the many bones. I know, I didn't really get that either.
HugAPanda:
Yes! I saw that and Guangzhou and a couple of others. He loves China, and I only watch when he's in China. I'm always thinking how interesting what he's eating looks. I'm a bit adventurous ;) I wish Bourdain would go to China more, I love him.
derek:
I met Bourdain two years ago when he filmed a show in Harbin. A group of us had dinner. He like his drinks!
HugAPanda:
Yes he does! And I'm so jealous. :P I loved his Harbin show. I decided it would be cool to go there... regardless of the cold.
Weirdest theme: Blind restaurant. Everthing is served in pitch darkness. The weighters are all blind, so they have no problem getting around. The lack of visual sensory stimulation is supposed to enhance the other senses and allow you to better enjoy the meal.
This being China, I couldn't get past the fear of what they might be really putting on my plate.
And yes, I know that this type of restaurant is available in many countries, but the only one I have been to is here in China.
The runner up would have to be a restaurant that used nude Russian models as sushi buffets. But that was in Japan, so I don't think it counts.
HugAPanda:
AHAHA I would never do this in China, but we went to one here (in NY) about a year ago. It was a benefit for an area charity. Anyway, it was quite cool. Not only was it pitch black, but we were also.... suggested to wear blindfolds during dinner as well. It was sexy and elegant and intense. I didn't feel the food was any more.... spectacular, but the experience was outrageous. Everything was finger food, nothing overly heated, so we couldn't really hurt ourselves (although someone did poke himself in the eye, supposedly). For desert, we tried feeding each other. First, we had to feel around to find our partner, and there were several people seated at each table. For all I know, I got felt up by the waiter. We used spoons so we wouldn't stab each other. It was soooo much fun. I found chocolate torte in... well.. almost everywhere.
Okay. The city I'm in isn't exactly on the cultural cutting edge, so, while we can see the food we eat, there is probably an animals dangling participle available somewhere.
However...since we do eat at many of the smaller, local establishments, I find that some of these are quite unintentionally freaky as they are, especially after I've viewed the kitchen (which in some, one has to walk through to seat). But, as they are usually quite busy, and no has has died there from the food (as far as I know), we have a nice, inexpensive meal.
And yes, the food is really good!
The first time I came to China, we were on a guided tour, and stopped at some mongolian grill type place. You put the raw ingredients in a bowl, you hand it to the chef, he cooks it and then you're ready to eat. Well, low and behold, he took the bowl, dumped the ingredients, put it in a pile. Then he took another bowl from another pile (which I'm pretty sure had not been cleaned) and put the freshly cooked food in it. Needless to say, we were both a bit worried, but we didn't end up getting sick. These days, I wouldn't be surprised, but at the time, it was probably my most shocking restaurant experience. Especially considering that I've had what looked like a baby cockroach in my fried rice. You know you've been in China a while when it doesn't even cause a gag reflex.
A flower resturant.
The entire place was one big flower garden. Everything you ate or drank had one flower or another as one of the main ingredients. Then there was always a performance or dance to match whatever was being served to the table.
** warning** - dont read this if you like dogs
I was in a small town in guangdong and my route to work passed a restaurant that had its "meat" hanging outside to show that it was fresh. There was always a dog, shaved but whole, hanging from hooks when I went to work, and about a half a dog when walked home around 9. They also hung up a small lamb sometimes or a chicken.
