I will use four or five blog entries, over the next several weeks to describe dining in China.  It will take that many, and maybe more, because dining in China is not just a meal, it’s an Event.
The Chinese food I was accustomed to eating in the US - normally take-out - is almost unrelated to what I found in mainland China. Restaurants in the US can generally be categorized as: Fine Dining, mostly meaning expensive and elegant food (Cetrella’s in Half Moon Bay); franchise restaurants like Applebee’s and the Olive Garden, serving pre-made standardized meals delivered by Sysco; fast food like Mickey D’s, KFC, etc., serving fatty food fast; and mom & pop restaurants which mainly make their own food, are mostly middle class and located in every city and town across the country.
I would categorize Chinese restaurants slightly differently: International and Chinese. You can eat in a ‘western’ restaurant if you like Pizza Hut, KFC or Mickey D’s or if you want to blow a whole lot of money at one of the elegant 5-star hotels - both of which I have been known to do upon occasion. In the very large metropolitan cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen there are a few upscale mom and pop western style restaurants like the Moon River Diner in Shanghai (great hamburgers and shakes), and La Latina - the fajitas are just fair, but the margarita’s are pretty good. And there are a growing number of Chinese restaurants trying hard to present some ‘western’ fair, but again these can be a tad trendy and expensive. Once you go inland however - which is what I suggest that you do, these mainly disappear.
The second category is where I will spend most of my efforts as I think people would be more interested in Chinese restaurants.  The first category might be called “chuppie” restaurants - yes that’s Chinese Yuppies. These are middle-class to slightly upscale Chinese family restaurants that are generally catering to that new and growing middle-class. The food is generally tasty, well prepared and not too expensive. You eat family style - meaning that there is a lazy-susan in the middle of the table and as it rotates, you pick some fod from the dish you want. Two people can eat well and probably have a beer for about 100 rmb ($14) depending on your hunger level. Ten people can dine easily for less than 1000 rmb (less than $150).
These restaurants do a big business in China and many times, even in the middle size communities, these restaurants offer private dining rooms for you and your guests - I’ll cover these private rooms in a later entry. Of course green tea is served immediately.... There are millions of these restaurants in varying degrees of luxury and/simplicity. Most will provide some space for parking your car, while others provide a valet service for your car.... Remember, there is no tipping in China, it’s against the law.
Next, there are the mom and pop local noodle houses, that are located down almost every small alley or little street. You can get a fairly good sized bowl of rice noodles, with a little beef, and a couple of leaves of a vegetable in some broth for about 6 to 7 rmb ($1). I’ve found many of these to have great noodles.
I didn’t include what are called ‘street-vendors’ here because these folks are everywhere, Shanghai, San Francisco, Singapore, and Munich, and they mainly peddle what I call ‘snack food’ which is sometimes good and sometimes not so good.
One final note about picking a restaurant in China. I don’t generally advocate eating from the street vendors as a steady diet. Many in China eat food from street vendors, but until you are totally acclimated, I would steer clear of these. Also, I would not advocate the 5-star hotel food on a daily basis, unless you just enjoy throwing money away. Rather, I would advise that you stick to the family restaurants I mentioned. There are literally millions and millions of them....

Next up: More Travel tips......

If you are traveling to China for the first time, and want to look like an old-time China-hand I can help you out.
When you first arrive in China, probably by air, you will face some immediate situations. Remember that Tom Hanks movie “Terminal”… well the good part is that it’s not nearly that bad. If you have experience in other international airports then you should just breeze right through, and you’ll find lots of other westerners in line with you... But don’t forget your forms.

Once beyond this barrier, you (as a laowai - foreigner) will begin to see what China has become. Immediately you will get what appear to be offers of help. Of course, what they don’t tell you is that they expect to get paid handsomely for this help. They believe that since you are a foreigner you must be rich, and therefore can afford to pay any amount. They also expect you to be stupid about Chinese people and customs.
My quick advice is simple: If you want or need their help to carry bags, or find your way in the airport (like you can’t read signs), go ahead and use them. HOWEVER, before you allow them to handle your baggage, you MUST haggle with them about the price. Never accept their first offer or just agree to whatever amount they want – you will loose face, and they will continue to think that westerners are stupid. Always start your bidding really low – after a time, you’ll get used to the haggling and not only will you gain respect, you’ll save a lot of money. I'll talk about bargaining - or haggling - in a future piece.

If you don’t need this service (and I suspect you probably DO NOT) and you don’t want to get ripped off in the first 10 minutes you’re in China, simply say “NO” or “Boo Yao”… The signs in all of the major airports are in English (some are in Chinglish which is always fun), and those push-carts which cost $5 in the states are ‘free’ in Chinese airports…. So generally speaking, if you use your head you should be able to find your way to the taxi stand, or the hotel shuttle.

Yes, all the major hotels are not only in the larger cities, they also have shuttle service for guests, just like in the good ole USA. You can ‘rent a car’ here in China, but that should be arranged ahead of time, as the car comes with a driver. If you are coming here on business, I probably don’t have to tell you that limo’s can also be arranged (also generally in advance), by the company you’re visiting.
If you are transferring to the domestic terminal from the international terminal just follow the signs. It’s really no different than in any American airport, except the crowd is larger... much larger.

Come to China, it’s fun, it’s entertaining, it’s exciting, and it’s more historical than Europe - by about 3000 years....

Next time.... Dining is not just a meal, it’s an Event.

Welcome to 0791 Life

Welcome friends and others who just like to read stuff about China (in general) and Nanchang more specifically.

I originally began this blog on my personal home page: http://www.edgyinchina.org/ but have decided to relocate it here, so that I may pursue other subjects on my home site.

My main topics on this blog will follow the original outline:

• Restaurants and eating in China (Western and Eastern)
• Planes, Trains and Automobiles (and Buses) in China
• Getting sick and getting well in China (hospitals and medicine)
• Shopping  - Needless Markup or Backstreet-Markets
• Some simple words and phrases you should know
• Money, Banking and exchange rates tips
• Horror stories and easy solutions

I admit to writing many entries about restaurants and eating in China..... Dining out in China is not just a meal, it’s an ‘event’.... One that you should experience and enjoy.

Travel in China can be frustrating or a pleasure depending on your attitude and personality. Shopping is truly a challenge and haggling your way to an agreeable price for whatever you’re buying is great fun. There are many horror stories of course, but without exception I have found them to be written by people who just don’t get it.....

So welcome, and stay tuned if you desire.