The restaurant had been under construction for weeks, a barely noticeable affair wedged between two older establishments in the stretch of shops just outside the college campus.
But how was the food? Years later, do you realize what style or region it was based on?
We were always told to be careful with "street" or small food vendors, to avoid getting sick or contracting something serious. Maybe that was the even older-timers but I couldn't help thinking of it for years.
The food was great! I later found out that Li Demao was from Tianjin, funnily enough — though at the time, I wasn’t really aware that it was specifically Tianjin cuisine. Two dishes really stood out: 京酱肉丝 — shredded beef served with tofu skins that you rolled yourself — and a rich beef and potato stew spiced with lots of cinnamon and star anise, which I think was 干卤肉.
😄 Funny thinking back, but none of us expats ever knew the real names of our favourite neighbourhood spots, we just made them up and they stuck. There was the Hunan place, the noodle shop, the barbecue joint, the Sichuan place… Li Demao’s became known as Jin Jin, though I’ve no idea if that was ever its actual name!
But how was the food? Years later, do you realize what style or region it was based on?
We were always told to be careful with "street" or small food vendors, to avoid getting sick or contracting something serious. Maybe that was the even older-timers but I couldn't help thinking of it for years.
The food was great! I later found out that Li Demao was from Tianjin, funnily enough — though at the time, I wasn’t really aware that it was specifically Tianjin cuisine. Two dishes really stood out: 京酱肉丝 — shredded beef served with tofu skins that you rolled yourself — and a rich beef and potato stew spiced with lots of cinnamon and star anise, which I think was 干卤肉.
What a coincidence!
😄 Funny thinking back, but none of us expats ever knew the real names of our favourite neighbourhood spots, we just made them up and they stuck. There was the Hunan place, the noodle shop, the barbecue joint, the Sichuan place… Li Demao’s became known as Jin Jin, though I’ve no idea if that was ever its actual name!
Oh absolutely, I still do that. 😂
Beautiful, Nico.
Thanks, Debbie. I really appreciate your continued companionship on this journey. It means a lot to have you reading along.
🙏 My pleasure to read, Nico.
Making meaning 🫶🏽
🙏