GRANDMAS, reads the bright neon lit sign outside Waipo Jia (外婆家; Grandma’s Home) restaurant. With its humble Hangzhou beginnings, Waipo Jia now has multiple locations in Nanjing and other major cities around China; bringing Hangzhou style food across the...
I’ve used this column in the past to vent my criticism of the tea sold in China’s supermarkets. Today’s Strainer marks no retreat.
There are usually two locations for tea in the supermarket. There’s the loose tea; often located next...
瓜子 (guazi) or “Melon Seed” is the name of an online used-car selling platform.
It’s an example of how brand conventions have evolved in China beyond fruits (Apple, Blackberry) to the names of dried food commodities (Xiaomi, Sesame, etc.) It’s...
In downtown Jiangning, close to end of Shengtai Lu, Benyi Sushi is much more than a hole in the wall Japanese joint. For starters, it’s cosy. Sitting a mere 10 people downstairs, with a space for...
Walking into Wujie, one gets the impression that this certainly is how the other half of Nanjing lives. Vegetarian fine dining; when I heard that there was such a place in Nanjing, I almost didn’t believe it. ...
No matter how much we enjoy a thing, it’s not enough; our enjoyment seeks validation.
Imagine a friend gave us a new DVD, but without introducing it. It’s blown us away. What a film! We’ve lingered over the credits, and,...
Were you knocking about Nanjing in 2008? If so, then you probably have fond memories of the only watering holes in town at that time; old faithful Bluesky, no longer behind anything Behind The Wall, Scarlets 1 and 2,...
Back in 2006, USDA (United States’ Department of Agriculture) economist Fred Gales claimed that it is, “almost impossible to grow truly organic food in China”. A large chunk of the problem is ground water. Organic certification...
