Shanghai District

Shanghai

Food

Family Dinner

Shanghai people do like their seafood. Above you can see a crab and a shrimp dish on the table. Chinese dinners themselves are often called “banquets”. Banquets consist of a series of dishes that are one-by-one placed in the center of the table. In China, it is standard to eat from the common dishes in the center. As an example, to eat a shrimp you would use your own chopsticks to snatch one from the common dish and then either eat it or place it on your own “personal” (very small) dish for eating. The process results in you choosing a little, eating a little, choosing some more etc. It takes time; it is social and really quite fun. Chinese dinners can often span a period of more than 2 hours. The above photo was taken in a family’s home. Restaurant tables are generally round and utilize a large “Lazy Susan” rotating centerpiece upon which all common dishes are placed. The above picture is minus the Lazy Susan.

11-12-97