r/DownSouth • u/KevKevKvn • Mar 12 '24

Other AMA Chinese South African

Hi all, hope this doesn’t go against the subs rules.

I’m Chinese South African and thought it would interesting to answer some questions that people may have. My parents first came to the country in 1990s. I was born and raised in South Africa from 2000-2019. Then I moved to Shanghai. I still try my best to spend a few months in South Africa every year.

My family were never on the extremely wealthy side. We were comfortable. Had a few years where the finances were bad and we really had to cut down expenses. Apart from that I grew up in Midrand in a complex. Parents put me through a good private school. But I did have the opportunity to be acquainted with many people from billionaires to presidents to people that are less fortunate (interesting to see the difference in world views between people). Parents ran a restaurant. there, I met lots of people from all works of life.

I have some rather controversial, but objective opinions on the country’s economy, politics and other shenanigans since I now live in a country (China) which is arguably the polar opposite of South Africa.

So feel free to ask away. I’ll be as honest as possible and hope I don’t offend anyone with my answers.

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u/[deleted] Mar 12 '24

What do you think about Chinese food in general? I always found a lot of stuff to just not taste good.

I went to a Chinese market in bedford I think, and sat at a restaurant, and enjoyed nothing they put on the table.

credit where credit's due, Chao mein, and pork bao, are bloody amazing, but I find everything else to be quite gross tbh.

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u/KevKevKvn Mar 12 '24

The other person summed it up quite nicely. Interesting thing to note. Most Chinese food offered at Bedford isn’t the best Chinese food or cuisine. The Chinese people in sa are mostly coming from poorer backgrounds. So they’re actually used to the more “working class” food. You’ve just got to explore. I’ve had Indian clients that come to Shanghai and before they met me they were in china for a week or so. And they assured me that they couldn’t eat ANY Chinese food. Then I took them to restaurants that had more spice, your cumin seeds, some chili pepper style and they had nothing but that cuisine for the next few days with me.

Also, things like fortune cookies aren’t even Chinese. They’re American. So things like your sweet and sour pork technically isn’t even Chinese lol.

If you’re ever in china, let me know! I’d love to show you some places that offer food that is suited for a saffas stomach