Never Ending Surprises in Shanghai

Dec 2012

Well it is official I have been here for over year now. I feel like I experienced a lot of new things, and most of my friends that came here think that I am fitting in better, and laugh loud about me behind my back. Never let the obvious fool you, there are so many hidden customs I know nothing about.

Just the other way, I went to dinner with a friend who is here learning Chinese from Switzerland, the university he went to is actually a little out of the beaten path, although the distance is approximately the same as on the subway from midtown Manhattan to flushing. However here in Shanghai our metro is rather fast, therefore taking a 45minutes metro ride is a long ride and eternality for some.

I got there in decent time consider it is raining, it will take me twice as long to travel the same distance if I travel by Taxi. My friend was excited to see me, he wanted to show me his school, the massive driving range converted from a 1920 soccer stadium, walk a little of his neighborhood before we head to a the infamous soup restaurant that was famous for their soups that were cook in a clay pot inside another giant jar with hot water over fire. The best I can describe is was that we are having steam soup that took 10 hours to cook. Was that supposed to be good? I can’t tell you.

We arrive at 8:30, they told us the restaurant is closing and there is no soup and we were the only table. We left disappointed and in disbelieve. In this mega modern city like Shanghai on a week nigh, restaurant close at 8:30? Normally I am still at work.

We decided to try our luck in another mega restaurant located inside a hotel complex, when we arrive they told us the kitchen was closed, but we pleaded, and they finally told us that, the stove is still on, they will serve us whatever they can come up with. (Left over I suppose), But there will be no rice for our meal, and most dishes on the menu were not available. What is that? Do I have to pay too? It was raining outside I am tire, and I am hungry, so whatever I can get is fine for now.

I am lucky, I live in the center of the city, where a lot of the foreigner lives, our restaurants there open till 11PM, 9PM closing time is unheard of. It is news to me.

Another surprise happened that night as well. When dinner was done, yes, bill paid, they make us. It was almost 10:30 then, time to go home. As I approach the metro station, it seems a little dark to me. My friend told me, that I might have missed the last train, I said “ What” It is 10:3 0, how could it be? That was the truth. Some line close at 10:30, and the other stop running by 11PM completely. I was in shock. That was another “ NEW” experience to me.

That is not all, the soup restaurant I told you earlier, I went back to the same restaurant at a different location in the center of the city on a Friday evening at 7PM, I thought I could be in better luck this time, since this location is in the center of a popular shopping district and it is 7PM on a Friday evening. I got a table no problem, the restaurant is not that pack, but busy. I feel lucky I know I will get to try their famous soup this time. Yum, Yum. How wrong was I. When we finally decided and ready to order, the same thing happened again. Item by items, pot of soup by pot of soups, they told us it was sold out. How could it be? It is 7PM. What time these people eat dinner?

As you know, I am pretending to be a local Chinese, although I utter a single word, they knew I am a fake. I started telling them a half make up story about 3 times in the same week to patronize their restaurant, (exaggerated a little here). I travel all over the city; the same thing happened everywhere, every time, ran out of soup. I told them I am writing for a foodie magazine, it is definitely going to be a bad review for them. I also told them I would have left just like the last couple of times before, but I am too tire to move, just bring me whatever, I will not come back ever. Well, I was getting notice, people are watching, so I was encouraged and starting started the hand waving routine like all the Chinese do. The next thing I knew the manager came over with three coupons, each worth 100rmb as peace offering, told me I could use it on the same night. He also gave me a private number and told me to call next time whenever I wanted to come in to make special reservation, they will save a pot of soup for me. Otherwise it is the policy that no reservation is taken. “Well” I said, “In that case, bring me and my friend a beer and also bring that expensive cold dish as well”. All is settled then, I thought, until…

Let’s just stop here OK; otherwise I need another whole blog just to talk about them. Perhaps I should invite you there on your next visits.

Chance Encounter Shanghai