Fun Food Friday: Dunkin' Donuts

Dunkin’ Donuts holds a very special place in our hearts. Not because of their awesome coffee or delicious donuts, but because this was the place where we had our first date. In fact, we had a lot of coffee dates at DD before we said ‘I do’. When we found out DD had stores in Shanghai, we were all over Google like white on rice. According to Google, Shanghai has four locations. The closest store is three miles from our home, so for date night this week, not only did we get a sweet treat, but we also got some exercise.

Tim’s absolute favorite donut is boston cream. We arrived at 7pm and unfortunately, they were sold out.

The flavors available in China are a bit different than that of the USA. For instance, how about dry pork and seaweed or a dried bonito (type of fish) donut – doesn’t that sound delicious???? Thankfully DD also stocks some of the sweet stuff like blueberry with coconut, toffee chocolate and double chocolate. 

Mochi donuts and munchkins were the only types of donuts available when we arrived. Mochi donuts are made of short-grained, glutinous rice and are available in flavors such as glazed, green tea, yogurt, orange, mocha and chocolate. We tried a chocolate one.  They are bit denser and dryer than your typical donut; definitely not as sweet as the donuts available in the States, but it was fun to try something new!

The Chinese munchkin wasn’t anything to write home about either. You will notice the shape is not perfectly round. It was more chunks of very lightly sweetened donut. Again – a fun experience, but I wouldn’t order them again. We tried chocolate and raisin.  

Other food offered included cheese and rye bagels, tuna and ham sandwiches, cumin pork chop sandwiches  and purple rice, to name a few.

Now onto coffee – first the original DD coffee tasted just as good as I remember. I got a black coffee – I am ridiculously cheap and was not willing to pay an extra $.50 just for flavoring. It was hot and black and oh, so good.  To take home a pound would set you back a little more than $16 - a tad more than I remember paying just a few months ago in Greenville, SC! Coffee was available in hazelnut, caramel and vanilla flavorings.

Tim tried an iced caramel swirl latte with whipped cream on top. As much as everything else in the store lacked sugar, the whipped cream definitely satisfied his sweet tooth! He said it tasted exactly the same as the States, except for the temperature - it was lukewarm.  

We didn’t try a coolatta; however, they are available in strawberry, coffee, blueberry, orange, banana, mango and green tea flavors.

Being in China, tea took up a large section of the Dunkin’ Donuts menu with flavors such as pineapple fruit tea, lichi fruit tea, passion fruit and blueberry jasmine tea and banana milk tea.

I am not sure why, but after I paid the cashier, he gave me a free DD mug which I was super pumped about because it was a lot larger than the small cups I have been using. 

Other souvenirs available for purchase included a DD branded mouse pad, paper file and pillow. 

Now China doesn’t ‘Run on Dunkin’; in China, Dunkin’ Donuts is ‘Good to you’. The brand is marketed a bit differently over here.

It was a lot of fun trying a China Dunkin’ Donuts and although not as tasty as the States, made for a pretty sweet date night!

Fun Food Friday: Soda

Happy Friday folks! For Fun Food Friday we are going to talk about soda. Now I know there are a few of you out there that don’t touch the stuff, which I respect, but to me, there are just sometimes when you NEED a diet coke. Thankfully, those times have become less over the years, but I still do like the stuff. For all of you soda-addicts, China has you covered. 

China has the standard Coca-Cola products. From regular coke to diet coke and coke zero, your options are all available in a 12oz can or a 16oz bottle. The funny thing about China is that regular coke and diet coke are consistently the same price – from store to store they may be different prices but within the store itself are the same. A can will run you about $.34 and a bottle about $.41. Regular coke and diet coke have been available in China for a long time. The first time I visited China in 2006 both were available. Coke zero, however, is the newest addition to the Coca-Cola family, which runs about $.41 for a can and $.48 for a bottle.

Fanta has the same pricing strategy. Apple Fanta sells for about $.43 a bottle and orange Fanta sells for $.48 per bottle whereas the newest flavor, peach, sells for $.53 per bottle.  

For all you people who think that Pepsi is WAY better than Coca-Cola, you will find your beverage of choice as well. Pepsi offers regular, diet and Pepsi MAX with prices about the same as Coca-Cola. China also offers 7-Up, Sprite and Mountain Dew (gross!). We have tried diet coke, diet pepsi, coke zero and pepsi MAX, so I couldn’t tell you if the other sodas taste the same as they do in America, but the artificial sugar stuff tastes slightly different (they all have a spicy aftertaste), so I am assuming the other stuff does as well. 

There are no flavor variations available in the typical Chinese store – I am talking cherry coke, vanilla coke, etc.; however, the international market has these variations available for about $1.31 per can. The only way I would pay that much for a can would be for a diet Dr. Pepper – which I have yet to find.

To be honest, my drink of choice is coffee. Since today is November 1st, I finally let myself open this bad boy – which made this Friday that much better! Enjoy your weekend!

Fun Food Friday: McDonald's

I have been a bit MIA for the past week or so. It’s because of computers – totally not my fault. We brought two laptops with us to China, one of which was broken – well, until we called Tim’s brother for help. Since the whole reason we made such a drastic move was for Tim’s education, he got the computer – which makes perfect sense. 

Anyway, onto Fun Food Friday: McDonald’s.

Now, I know what you are thinking: Horrible wife for feeding her husband sodium and preservative laden food. Well, in my defense, we ate at McDonald’s on day three in China, when jet-lag had peaked, dinner time had arrived and the choices presented were the Golden Arches or fried noodles. Because I knew we would be hungry within the hour if we chose noodles, fast-food it was. 

The menu had the normal burgers, chicken sandwiches, chicken nuggets, French fries and ice cream treats…

Along with some new-to-us items including egg and mushroom soup, chicken McMuffins

and beef and rice dishes.

Tim ordered chicken nuggets.

He said they tasted normal, but he was a bit disappointed BBQ sauce and honey mustard were not available. Instead his options were sweet and sour sauce or garlic chili sauce. The garlic chili sauce was thrown away as soon as he tried it, but he loved the sweet and sour sauce – well, not as much as honey mustard.

I don’t eat beef so my options were cut in half. I ordered a wrap. It looked like there were chicken strips and veggies in it so I thought, given the circumstance, it was a pretty good choice. Inside the wrap were about two ounces of chicken, a rice cake, lettuce, tomato and some kind of sauce. To my surprise it was pretty tasty – even though I know it doesn't look too appetizing!

To the right of the main ordering counter was a McCafé  Here, you could order coffee, teas and other hot beverages. I had never seen one of these before, so I had to take some pictures. 

There was also a counter where you could order desserts. From cheesecakes to muffins, the dessert case looked YUMMY but we didn’t get anything.

Honestly, the food tasted better than expected, although I know we won’t be visiting again anytime soon. 

One of the more interesting points about eating at McDonald’s is that it doesn't carry the same cheap meal reputation as it does in the States. As I mentioned before, Tim and I can go out to eat for less than $5 USD and have more than enough. For our two meals at McDonald’s, the cost was about $10 USD – quite pricey in comparison!  

Fun Food Friday: Youzi

Tim and I aren’t big dessert people. We are HUGE dessert people, but being the responsible adults that we are, we don’t indulge often. I would like to say it’s because I am super concerned with my health, but honestly, it is because I don’t want to buy bigger pants. Thankfully there are no chocolate cake temptations here. China’s desserts leave much to be desired. Avoiding the sweet stuff has never been easier! Except Oreos…but not often- PROMISE!

We tried to cultivate the habit of eating fruit as dessert in the States which worked out pretty well. I know sugar before bed time isn’t the best thing in the world, but being moody isn’t a good thing either! We brought this habit to China with us which has led us to discovering some new fruit to tackle nighttime sugar carvings.

Today I want to introduce pomelo or 柚子(youzi). It is the largest of the citrus family and, according to my taste buds, is a cross between an orange and a grapefruit.

These things appear massive. Below is a medium sized apple compared to a youzi. 

However, looks can be deceiving. The peel is super thick and contains white pith that tastes super bitter. Once you get to the meat of the youzi, it is the size of a large grapefruit.

The fruit itself is mildly sweet and isn’t super juicy. I think one of the best things about this fruit is peeling it. It’s a lot of fun – trust me! 

Also, it is high in vitamin C and Tim has been battling a cold. I think this is a pretty good replacement for the vitamins I forgot to pack! 

Fun Food Friday: Chinese Takeout

Is it Friday already? YES!!!!! Are you doing a happy dance? I am for sure, especially because next week is a holiday here in China so there is no work, no school – just Moose and Goose on the loose in Shanghai for an entire WEEK. I am so ready to explore this city!  I mean, yes, we have explored, but not a whole day at a time. I can’t wait.

Anyway, onto to Fun Food Friday – Chinese takeout. Wednesday night, Tim worked on a group project and didn’t get back to the room until after 11:30 p.m. Of course I had to hear all about his day, so we were up till about 1:00 a.m. talking – oh the woes of living with your best friend. Thursday morning we were exhausted, but I had an interview and Tim had class so we were up at 5:00 a.m. I had a super busy day starting with the interview (which was so weird) and looking for Chinese clothes (that will be another blog post this weekend). Tim had classes all day – from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. We planned on going out to dinner, but then Tim got lost on his way home from school (took the bus instead of the metro). What was supposed to be an 8:30 p.m. dinner date turned into him walking in the door at 10:00 p.m. Because I knew he was beyond tired, I picked up takeout.

I have no clue where the take out boxes in the States came from, but what we get are throw-away containers in a plastic bag. Some restaurants put the food in plastic bags instead of plastic containers which makes it a bit harder to eat.

You won’t find duck sauce as the condiment of choice in real Chinese restaurants. Instead we get adorable little bags of vinegar.

You thought it was soy sauce, right? Don’t feel bad – I did too!

Thursday night I got Tim chicken and rice and got myself some super spicy eggplant.

The reason we didn’t go out to eat more in the States was because of the price. Paying $30 for dinner when I can get a basket full of food for the same price seems ridiculous to me – well on occasion, no problem, but every night? That seems like throwing money in the trash can. Well here in Shanghai, Tim and I can eat a full meal - meat, veggies and a starch – for less than $3.50 which makes eating out a lot more affordable! 

Fun Food Friday: Chinese Dumplings

Remember your first semester away at college? You were 18 and that was the first time you left home for more than a week at summer camp. You missed home, you missed your friends, but you REALLY missed mom’s cooking. When you got a care package with her homemade chocolate chip cookies inside, you instantly became a hoarder. Four months of bad cafeteria food would have that effect on anyone.

Well, I have a Chinese friend, Amanda (that is her English name,) that I met back in 2006. The food she craved during that first semester of college, before she returned home for Chinese New Year, was her mom’s dumplings. Amanda LOVES dumplings. In fact, I remember spending the whole day with her and at her request, lunch AND dinner consisted of dumplings. 

Sure, she could buy them at a local restaurant, but she missed the unique taste of her mom’s dumplings. Just like Amanda, Tim LOVES dumplings, but has come to the realization that our friend Poppy, back in SC, makes the world’s best dumplings. Tim got a taste of them during our last Chinese lesson in the States, and hasn’t forgotten about them. Since Poppy isn’t with us in Shanghai, Tim has had to find other avenues of taking care of his dumpling cravings. Earlier this week, on our morning walk, we found a small dumpling restaurant not 300 yards from our home. He was elated! This place is filling in for Poppy until we return to the States. 

Now, I am sure you have had a dumpling or two in your life. Thanks to big Chinese restaurant chains found in the USA, Chinese food may not seem as foreign as it did 50 years ago, but trust me - those chains do not do the dumpling justice. They are Americanized to fit your palate. Makes sense – they don’t want to go out of business just to hold on to authenticity. Well, please – give the authentic Chinese dumpling a chance. 

The outside 'skin' is made of flour, water and salt. I have witnessed the process of making the skin and am thankful you can buy it at the supermarket – if I started making it now, we could have dumplings by next Tuesday. I do not possess the talent of making dumpling skin. PLUS the filling is what really matters anyway.  

The filling typically consists of meat and/or vegetables and is seasoned with ginger, garlic, salt and pepper and sometimes includes soy sauce, vinegar or sesame oil. After the filling is put on the skin, the folding process begins. 

After the dumplings are folded, they are boiled a couple times in order to cook the meat inside.

I have at least a year to work on my dumpling skills with the experts, and am thankful Tim can still satisfy his dumpling addiction. 

So, needless to say, a lot of dumpling eating will happen this year. BUT, food is the way to a man’s heart.

Well, I know I already have his heart, but I LOVE to see that smile.

Fun Food Friday: The Oreo

When I lived in China four years ago, the questions I received the most were food related. The tradition continues compliments of my sweet three year old niece, who asked me this morning if China had chicken fingers (FYI – yes, China does have chicken fingers). So in order to capture the ‘food memories’ we are making, today marks the start of Fun Food Friday – basically we are providing you with a little taste of China’s twist on the food you know and love.

Today, when we were grocery shopping for the essentials (apples, peanut butter, eggs, chocolate cake, etc.), Tim and I started talking about one of my best friends. She LOVES Oreos, or at least that is what she said. I don’t think I have ever seen her eat one (you know who you are, AC!), but I believe her. As we were talking about this friend, I rounded the corner and saw a variety of Oreos. And so, in honor of my beloved AC, please meet the Chinese Oreo.

Before this evening, when was the last time I ate an Oreo? Probably over a year ago – I don’t recall, but it’s not an essential on our grocery list. Maybe the following flavors are available in your country, but I had never seen most of these flavors before: Green Tea Ice Cream, Raspberry/Blueberry, Peach/Grape, Strawberry, Vanilla Ice Cream and Chocolate Cream.

We also saw Mango/Orange and Birthday Cake, but they were sold in large packages, which may have been an issue if they were good.

Now before we give you our opinions, please note, Oreos in China have less sugar than those in the USA. This may be the reason for our disappointment.

Tim’s Favorite: Green Tea Ice Cream (tasted like mint!)

Maggie’s Favorite: Chocolate Cream

Each package had two cookies. We threw away the second cookie for Raspberry/Blueberry, Peach/Grape and Strawberry. These flavors tasted way too fake and, in my opinion,  give the Oreo a bad reputation. The Vanilla Ice Cream tasted funky to me, but Tim enjoyed the second cookie.

Although the Chinese Oreo will not be replacing chocolate cake on our grocery list anytime soon (OK – cake isn't REALLY on our grocery list), it was definitely a fun experiment. 

The best part of this taste test – an evening of laughs costing a mere $1.25.