Hao Yan
Stanford University
As the old Chinese saying goes, food is heaven. Whether you like China or not, there is one thing that most of us can not resist, that is Chinese food. Chinese culinary culture, a tradition with age-long history, remains a vibrant and living component in contemporary Chinese society, as well as making a global impact as a renowned cultural symbol of China. Having lived in the United States for one and half years, I always find it interesting and illuminating to discover the cultural difference through the perspective of culinary culture.
Let’s start from the basics. Fork and knife, the typical Western eating utensils, from the very beginning, indicates the direction of Western civilization in materialism, scientism, industrialism, and expansionism. Made of metal and with sharpened shades, fork and knife resemble the way Western civilization presented itself throughout history, while chopsticks, coming from bamboo or wood, indicate an entirely different way of living. Reliance on agriculture, attachment and affinity to nature, and the Confucian pursue for flexibility and dualism, all find their origin in the design and making of chopsticks. As most Americans consider it a challenging task to learn to properly use the chopsticks, it may well suggest the difficulty of understanding the complicate Chinese philosophy of living. Besides, individual-plate serving in the West demonstrates the Western tendency towards individualism, privacy, and personal right. In contrast, the practice of common-plate serving may be the best example to show the importance of family value and collectivism in Chinese society. Up till now, only going through a few lines, I believe you would be amazed at how insightful opinions we could draw from studying the different utensils and serving styles in the West and China.
Coming to the U.S., I have always found it awkward when ordering and eating in most Chinese restaurants. You may be embarrassed as sometimes you may even find yourself puzzled at what is offered. Fortune cookie is a unique invention by American Chinese restaurants, and you could find no similar counterparts in China. The invention goes beyond post-meal desserts. General Tso’s Chicken, one of the most popular courses in the U.S., is a genuine American novelty, and nowhere in China could you find its name in a restaurant menu. This may well explain the misconception of the American public on the emerging and changing China when learning its culture from distant. Interestingly enough, the Chinese perception of the American society is also problematic when McDonald’s, KFC, and Pizza Hut became the most desired dining destinations for younger generation in China. While most of these fast-food chains locate their American stores in gas stations, supermarkets, and giant shopping malls, cheap operating cost in China has dramatically changed how fast food chains look like. Decorated with expansive and shining materials, located in the most expansive sections of the city, and served with young beautiful females, McDonald’s and KFC earned their names in China as where rich, middle-class population go for alternative better dining experience. Pizza Hut even changed its market strategy in China by becoming a casual dining restaurant like California Pizza Kitchen, and recognized as a hot place for dating choices. However, to most American’s surprise, Subway never finds its place in China.
Cross-cultural understanding, though as difficult as the tale of the Babel Tower entails, is still an interesting subject to study from the perspective of culinary culture, which may also help us unlock the bilateral misunderstanding between important powers like the U.S., and China. So, Bon Appetite, and study hard!
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Chinese cuisine is the best symbol of Chinese culture in the Western world.
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