Xiamen strange phenomenon, eating alongside public toilet

Updated: 21 May 2010
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Aroma, sight and taste can bring up an appetite or turn it off. As a visitor to Xiamen, one may never understand why smelly tofu is liked by local Xiamenese, as it smells horribly bad. Many locals even agree that smelly tofu's smell is a turn off. However, there are a large following who vow that smelly tofu is the best tofu you can buy. 
 
 
The most famous public toilet in Xiamen is Shentian Public Toilet (深田公厕) at
 Baijia Village (百家村), where a string of local food stalls running business all year round.
 
However, there is also another eating phenomenon which can be rather strange too, and affects the smell senses, and that is eating beside a smelly public toilet.
 
Acting on this strange eating phenomenon, many outdoor food stalls are flourishing next to some smelly toilets. In Xiamen, the most famous public toilet is Shentian Public Toilet (深田公厕) at Baijia Village (百家村), where a string of local food stalls are running business’ all year round.
 
1). Sliced Mango with Soy Sauce Food Stall (酱油芒果)
 
The Sliced Mango with Soy Sauce.
 
The food stall is just in front of the public toilet with a square table. What is special is that before eating mango, the locals will dip sliced mango in soy sauce. According to a local senior citizen, such a way of eating it can prevent mango allergy and aid digestion. Only eating in this way can one claim he or she is an indigenous Xiamenese.
 
2). Wuji Stir-fried Dried Tofu Restaurant (吴记煸豆干) 
 
Wuji Stir-fried Dried Tofu Restaurant
 
  
At Wuji Stir-fried Dried Tofu Restaurant, customers can stir fry the dried tofu,
rice cake and fresh seafood by themselves. They enjoy the fun and share
the delicious food with friends. It's a unique lifestyle rather than an eating habit.
 
In Xiamen, people have various ways to enjoy cozy lives. They drink coffee in a café, drink beer, play finger guessing games and roll dice at Dapaidang (大排档) or food stalls, and even chat all through the night while eating stir-fried dried tofu. It’s a unique lifestyle rather than an eating habit.
 
At Wuji Stir-fried Dried Tofu Restaurant, customers can stir fry the dried tofu, rice cake and fresh seafood by themselves. They enjoy the fun and share the delicious food with friends.
 
Though the house is old, Wuji Stir-fried Dried Tofu Restaurant is very popular with the locals. It’s a bustling food stall that often is open till midnight.
 
3). Aniu Octopus Restaurant (阿牛章鱼)
 
  
Octopus, blood clam and some other fresh seafoods are served in Aniu Octopus Restaurant.
 
The restaurant serves cold seafood dishes, like octopus, horseshoe crab, sea worm jelly and blood clam. They are sold by weight and customers can decide the quantity when ordering dishes.
 
4). Zheng Meizhen Hand-made Dumplings (郑梅珍手工水饺)
 
As the name indicates, the food stall sells packaged hand-made dumplings. What makes it special is that the stuffing is made of fresh pork and the owner makes dumplings by hand. The food stall mainly focuses on take-out business. It’s said that the dumplings are so popular that people have to line up to buy the dumplings.
 
Though it’s located beside a public toilet, the locals say that it’s the best place to have authentic Xiamenese food and understand its food culture.
 
Add: The village is located in the east of Zhongshan Park.
 
 
Map of Xiamen Baijia Village. (Click to enlarge)

SOURCE: WOX Info
 
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Comments Area ( Total Comments: 1 )
Apollonia Commented on 26 May 2010
Sweet meal