Jinan's Pasar Malam

I stay near a 'high street' called Wen Hua Dong Lu. I wasn't feeling well today so I didn't go to work, as a result of which I will not be joining my colleague for our usual get-together dinner. Feeling hungry, I ventured out to the Friday night market, only then I realised how happening it is.





One thing I kept noticing is, most of the food here look suspiciously familiar. For one thing, the diet here is mostly wheat based. So, it's no suprise that they can also came out with something the Indian did.



The Shandong roti canai is crispy and aromatic. So, please, the very next time you feel too eager to take your fellow mainland visitor to a nearby Mamak store for a piece of self-acclaimed KL delight: THINK TWICE. Your visitor will probably roll his/her eyes and think that:" Cheh, the one in Shandong is much better!"



Well, I've introduced the steamed bun already. It's also a popular food here. Behold my friend, this whole lot is probably just enough for one Shandong stomach.



Don't you just love the colours of these little umbrellas? The blue one at the top (the biggest one) is selling for RMB 5.


Oh, look at these cute little.... tigers aka cats... or whatever.




What do Shandong girls care about the most? It will have to be their hairstyle. Hair saloons are everywhere. They open till 11pm at night and very cheap. A high tech perm + wash + cut cost only RMB 30. I have to admit though, they do have better looking hair than KL girls. Their curls are really nice and naturally! ( Shame! )



I was too busy walking around I've forgotten to buy me dinner. Luckily, on my way back, I bumped onto this uncle selling what the direct translation would be: Fried Dough/Cookie/Cake. Whatever. It's really delilcious despite the fact that I have to "Ey?" 3 times everytime the uncle asked me a question or try to talk to me. The cake itself is soft profusing with the aroma of corn and the center is crunchy with a hint of salted fish. The chinese parsley here is aromatic and appertising. Cost: RMB 1.50



The tea flowers are probably the most rewarding discoveries of the day from the night market. I bought 150gm for RMB10 (if I remember correctly). Now, if you ask me, it's jaw-dropping cheap. You would probably be paying more than 100 Ringgit Malaysia for this amount in KL, OK? For the last I know, 30 buds of roses are gonna cost you 15-20 Ringgit. What's more, I've got Carnation, Immortelle and Saffron. Ladies, these flowers go straight to your liver and hence 'cleanse' your blood and are good for your face and hormone!