The Rickshaw Report: Food For Thought

1． Do both Chinese men and women women  both cook for the family?
I think in China, women tend to cook more. ( Smiles) But men, like me, also know how to cook.

2. Oh really? What is your signature dish?
I like making sauteed cabbage with vinegar , and a garlicky stew of pork and liver.

3. How is vegetarianism regarded by the Chinese?
I have some vegetarian friends, and they have different reasons for this choice. However, I think vegetarians do not have as much energy as meat-eaters. Eating meat brings me so much joy!

4. Can you see any advantages to going veggie?
Maybe, there are health advantages – especially if you have a heart condition. But, I could never go veggie!

5. Kofi Annan, the former UN secretary general argued maintaining meat consumption to a level recommended by health authorities would lower emissions and reduce various health problems. Instead, he suggests, more people should eat insects, which he claims to be a good source of nutrition. Your thoughts?
Insects? Is he joking? I don’t think Chinese people will get used to that. They will vomit if you try to serve them this! Well, I guess in some parts of Southern China, insects are eaten, but the thought of it makes me want to throw up!

6．Food wastage is a big problem in many countries, and especially in China. In October, the Chinese city of Yangzhou was stripped off its world record title of biggest fried rice serving after, after it threw away the entire dish ( 8,820 pounds of fried rice). How can we fight this habit of wasting food?

That is awful! People should not waste food. If someone cooks for you, you should eat it, or at least save it for later. I always take food back home if I cannot finish my meal in restaurants.
7. Over the past few years China has had a number of “food scandals” – 40 year old zombie meat, cat / rat meat used to make chuanr, contaminated baby milk, gutter oil used for cooking, paper used to make rice. Are these scandals are big concern for Chinese people?

Yes. , I am aware of these news stories. I do feel that the Chinese public is getting more and more worried about this issue.

8． How can you avoid falling victim to food scandals?

Eat less food, I guess? ( Editor: Well, guess that is a great way to also diet!)

9.Would you eat dog meat?
I tried it once before, but I regretted it a lot. Dogs are smart and special. I think humans and dogs have an emotional connection. We really should not eat them.