Blog 1

Beef noodle soup （牛肉粿条）and oyster omelette （蚝烙／蚵仔煎/海蛎煎）are two of the most common Teochew/Chaoshan （潮汕）dishes in Teochew/Chaoshan cuisine, which originated from the Chaoshan region in China’s eastern Guangdong province. Although these two are not the most sophisticated and well-known, the locals love them, and they are also gaining popularity in other parts of Guangdong province, even in the rest of the country. Beef noodle soup is a perfect kickoff of a day for my family. It might sound and look familiar to you because it is very similar to Vietnamese Pho. Chaoshan beef noodle soup was brought to Southeast Asia by Chaoshan people. It has a great influence on rice noodle soup there. On the other hand, Oyster omelets with beer is always my top choice of late night food in a social gathering setting because each plate is for sharing.

Beef noodle soup has rice noodle, broth and beef three components. They are all equally important. However, beef has a wider variety of choices, such as beef meatball, sliced beef, beef entrails etc. Tender sliced beef and thin sliced beef tongue are always my family’s favourite. Slipping those thin rice noodles with the aromatic marrow bone broth is pure enjoyment. In my perspective, beef noodle soup is perfect for breakfast and lunch because it is both flavourful and refreshing at the same time. Most restaurants don’t serve it after lunch since it is sold up quickly in the late morning. My family and I often have it for brunch but if you aim for the good parts of beef then you probably should go earlier. I cherish the experience so much not only because it is a feast for my sensations but also a refreshing and memorable start of a day with my family. I would not feel in this way if I have not been studying abroad for almost three years. I have only gone back home four times during my time abroad. When I’m abroad and craving for food, I think of that bowl of noodle soup with a hint of the restaurant’s special homemade spicy sauce. Oyster omelette, on the other hand, is destined to be shared among friends. You order a few plates at a time. Then the chopsticks go in the plates and they are emptied right away. It really connects people when you share amazing food while chatting.

Unfortunately, I haven’t had the chance to immerse in food cultures of ethnic communities in Atlanta because I have only stayed in Atlanta for a year.