LOVE, Kloudiia

In China, there are a few to-dos in various parts of the provinces. In Guangzhou, you eat. That’s how the saying “eat at Guangzhou” came about.

And it really is so! There is a wide variety of cuisines to select from and you get to taste the sweetest and freshest vegetables and seafood ever! I’m in a food paradise.

I’m no food connoisseur, but I love to eat. So this trip has truly tantalised my taste buds. I’m spoilt for choice! How nice is that, isn’t it?

Apart from the fresh food, there are some interesting restaurants and local food that we don’t get to eat in Singapore. There is this place that I have to recommend to you.

If you’ve been to Hong Kong, then you would have heard of this local dish call “Ting Zai Zhou” which means “Boat Porridge” when directly translated. The porridge derived its name because once upon a time in China, there were people who sold porridge in rowing boats along the river. As they rowed, they would call out “Ting Zai Zhou” in their local language.

Whoever wants to eat will then ask them to stop, and they will lower a basket containing an empty bowl and money. The hawker will fill the bowl with porridge and take the money.

That’s how the transaction is made and the origin of the name of this porridge.

Now that we have entered the millenium and the economy has improved, business men thus made use of this concept and evolved into a restaurant like this.

See those boats floating on the river? That’s where we had our dinner! Interesting experience, isn’t it?

We were taken to one of the boats by another “boat”, and food was served by waiters/waitresses via a rowing boat. Exactly like how their early ancestors used to sell their porridge.

Notwithstanding such novelty, the food there was superbly fresh. Never had I tasted such sweet prawns and crabs in my life!

Oh, the crayfish was cooked to perfection. Look!

 

Such a setting is perfect to dine out on a cold winter night. Even though each boat is equipped with a mini fan, but I doubt how cooling it will be during a hot summer night. While sipping tea in between the food, we are surrounded by the cool air and those beautiful lighted lanterns floating on the river. Such an environment puts one in a relaxed and calm mood. Surely this will increase your appetite too, wouldn’t it?

After you have settled the bill, you can still remain seated and chat. When you feel like leaving, just turn on a switch which lights up a blue bulb on top of the boat, and very soon someone will be here to fetch you and bring you on land.

A memorable dining trip for me.

[tags]Guangzhou,China,Dining,Boat,Porridge[/tags]