I grew up as a picky eater. Then I moved to Asia. My eating habits had to change or else I would literally wither away to nothing. Then I met “hotpot”. It is a meal that espouses a wide range of opinions. To some, hotpot is a “meal of the gods”. To others, it is a culinary disaster. This is my story and the “competition” we have created around this unique local food.
Random facts. . . I had never had an orange until I was a junior in college. I had never tried sweet tea until I was 27 and living in Asia. On my first morning during a trip to Croatia when I was 26, the host family informed my group that “since you guys are southern, I cooked you a southern breakfast”. I walked in the kitchen only to find a pot full of creamy slop (best I know how to explain it) next to a pan with biscuits on it. I immediately turned to Trent McEntyre and said, “what in the heck is this?!?!?” Bewildered, he responded, “You have never seen biscuits and gravy???” I had not.
Bottom line, I grew up as a picky eater.
When I moved to Asia, one of the biggest stresses I had was thinking through the food. I had eaten Chinese food only a handful of times in my life and I didn’t really like it.
My first 5 weeks here, I lost 25lbs. Seriously. In college, I came over for a summer study program weighing a thin 158lbs and got off the plane back in Atlanta five weeks later down to a refugee camp-esque 134. I was gaunt and terrifying looking. My sisters and Mom literally wept when they first saw me at the airport. This was not because they missed me, but because I looked like I was on death’s door.
When I decided to move back to Asia long-term six years later, I was concerned (to say the least). Further, I was reading that the specific province to which I was moving was famous for its excessively spicy food. I cowered.
Fast forward 12 years. I have eaten pretty much everything. Everything. I won’t go off on a list of stuff I have eaten, as I’m certain I would be a target of PETA protests. Just know that there are very few animals I have not eaten.
As I have said in previous blog posts, I am fortunate to live in a region of Asia which is famous the world over for its food. It is creative, delicious, and inexpensive. The hallmark of the local food is its abundant (some would say excessive) use of spices and oil. However, along with “culinary creativity” comes some harrowing dining experiences. The greatest and most distinct form of eating here is affectionately call “hotpot”.
Hotpot is basically fondue. However, instead of being created and consumed by Francophile, female suburbanites from upper-class communities, it is the food of choice of gruff Asian peasants.
Fondue is a meal where breads and sweets are dipped in bowls of warm cheese and chocolate. Hotpot, though, consists of all types of body parts from pretty much all animals known to mankind being submerged in steal vats of boiling oil and demonically spicy peppers. Fondue is something nice to do with friends, while engaging in pleasant conversation. Hotpot is a battle of the culinary will. It is chocking back your fear and then being rewarded by a dining experience unlike anything we have in America.
I came to Asia and was immediately introduced to hotpot by the college basketball team I played on. They were all 6’8, 230lb men whom destroyed hotpot several times a week. I lost 15lbs that first six months back here in Asia as a result of eating with them. I just couldn’t handle it.
However, something shifted around my six month mark in this country. Hotpot went from being something I HAD to do in order to fit in and make local friends to something I LOVE doing. Hotpot went from being a culinary disaster to me, to that of a meal of the gods.
Well, three years ago, a friend realized that there are actually 24 hour hotpot restaurants in this city. An idea was born. In honor of this uniquely local dining experience, we created an entire day devoted to hotpot. We named it the “Hotpot Challenge”.
The rules are as follows:
- Three meals, all hotpot, all in one day.
- Only food and beverage sold in hotpot restaurants can be consumed. No eating a small breakfast and running out to get full at McDonald’s. Only hotpot for 24 hours.
- Only the spiciest variety of hotpot would be allowed on the tables.
We have now completed two of these “Hotpot Challenges”. I am pleased to report that NO one has met their maker as a result. This year we were pretty sick for up to three days after, but we all survived.
I threw together a short video for your viewing pleasure. Again, I am REALLY bad at video editing, but I am trying to get better!
Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Hotpot Challenge 2013!
[pb_vidembed title=”” caption=”” url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXeaZL89srk” type=”yt” w=”480″ h=”385″]
First!
Kudos to you!
The video was great! Really captured the spirit of the challenge! I also am a recovering picky eater (only ate cheese, potatoes, bread and chicken/beef until age 22 when I went to Israel on summer p). How glad I am that the Lord chose to rehabilitate us overseas 🙂 Great post!
Thanks Meagan…great to have you guys as part of the day!
Yep, this area definitely cures picky eaters. Glad you and I are a part of this number!
Thanks for this, it made my evening. I was laughing almost as hard as I was over the bat-in-the-baby-room story, which I have told to many a person in Cookeville. We always had our own hot pot paraphernalia at home, although we never made it very spicy. Have an awesome day!
Thanks Sindy! Yeah, the home kits are good, but definitely not fully loaded like they are here.
Thanks for the comment!
Sooooo many comments….
– Loved the post
– I remember going shirtless at hotpot, but it was due to the culture, sweat and heat, not for posing. This was a concerning part of the footage.
– What was the song in the video? You’re getting more impressive with your skills.
– I thought you were a GA native???? McEntyre (always gracious) was way too nice. You should be ashamed Gunter…
– Never had hotpot without specific beverages. Was concerned until the dinner segment. I guess it wouldn’t be appropriate at 9am.
– Poor young Noah (the kid’s name?) is going to have his growth stunted.
– I wish you had listed the species of animals you’ve had, I doubt PETA follows your blog. My favorite in the region with hotpot: Live baby rat, I’m not proud of it. I’m sure you’d still win.
Tim, so much in your comment. Love it and rolled laughing through it.
– Thanks!
– We thought we need to pay this particular part of the hotpot experience homage by skinning up. I do not regret this. . . sort of.
– Jack White’s “I’m Shakin'”. . . great album.
– Yeah, I don’t know what happened here. I actually hated grits until I was well into my 20s. I’m sure it was psychological or something.
– Actually, I did a ton of editing to eliminate certain images. We will leave it at that.
– Noah is a little stud. I think the hotpot is only going to increase his testosterone levels and cause his to be a beast.
– I’ll still stay silent in a public access forum, though baby rat sound pretty repulsive. Don’t think I have tried that, but it’s entirely possible.
Thanks for making me roll in your comment!
Add my name to picky eater list and one year in China cured me too!! My mom was sure happy when I came back to the US and ate everything in sight. I will have to say I learned to like hotpot but I definitely would call it “a meal of the gods” Unless you are calling on God the night and morning after eating hotpot 🙂 Or maybe even praying to God during the meal because the food is still squirming on the plate.
Great points, Melody! I was actually thinking about the first hotpot we all had together when writing this post. We ate a ton of it your year!
So, you’re video editing has definitely gotten better! I mean it too. Don’t be too hard on yourself! 🙂
Well, I had the best teacher. You need to get back over here to help me more!
Workin on it!
Hot Pot looks fun and scary at the same time…but something I won’t mind giving a try. I love the video and I guess the Jack White song best describes your relationship with hot pot. 😀
Great call on Jack White. . . I’m impressed! I love that entire album.
I think I have it saved somewhere in my computer. Will have to find it.
John, I loved this blog and your video was Great!!! I think I will leave the Hot Pot to you guys, I never thought of myself as a picky eater but in Asia I would be a #1 Picky Eater!! Thanks for sharing! Hugs!!!
Thanks Jane. . . I’m sure you could find something you like in hotpot!
Hot Pot = culinary disaster.. didn’t mention how they re-use the oil from one customer to the next and how you cook your food in oil and then dip your food in more oil.. what’s up with that??
Adds to the flavor, my friend. It’s boiling, so all germs are killed. . . or at least that is what they tell us.
Eugene is here with me and we did hotpot last night. We talked of and chatted for you.
Also, got you and YM a gift. It’s epic.
Hahaha!!! Oh, hotpot, I have so many fond and unhappy memories of it! I’m not sure if it’s brave or foolish to do such a thing as a 24 hour hotpot challenge… But then, I guess some people would say that any brave thing is foolish on some level.
For the record, Asia did not cure me of being a picky eater. I still don’t like hotpot OR grits!!! But marrying a Lebanese man has gone a long way towards breaking down my taste bud prejudices. 🙂
Becca, I’m jealous. Lebanese food is some of my favorite!
Yeah, as I often say, there really is only two states of health here. I either have a stomach virus or I’m about to get a stomach virus.
Good hearing from you!
John, Drew and I are so going to find a place here in ATL and do the hotpot.
How did it go? Man, I would have loved to have been at that table!
you do know they never switch out the broth in the hotpot. so you’re basically eating the backwash of thousands of people prior to you.
It’s all for the flavor, my friends.
Haters goin’ hate.
With Patricks and Sams revelations, I have changed my mind about hot pot!
Don’t believe them. . . they are not very adventurous!
In this case, I will have to find the truth for myself
Hotpot. Had heard the name, but never quite knew what it was. Clearly, I should have known or been able to figure it out, as it is literally a pot of hot (spicy & temperature)! I would love to tell you, John, that your skill as a video genius has crafted such an positive picture of the Hotpot and has spoken more loudly in image than that of your description in words or what your friends have written, but alas… I cannot. Not hatin’ on the Hotpot, but I think I’m afraid of it! I can appreciate your initial approach to the Hotpot though- that you had to eat it to fit in with the locals. Eating the local ‘delicacies’ in these parts (dog, cobra, rat, bat) is more of a badge of pride (which I do not wear) rather than a fitting in. Probably eating those foods are ‘child’s play’ to you lot.
What I will say, though, is that you boys are creative & cool! Between ‘Baseball Saturdays’ and ‘Hotpot Challenge’ you really enjoy your Asian life together.
Grace & peace
Yeah, we try to specifically build stuff into the yearly schedule which are “healthy releases” for the ex-pats living here. It’s a lot of fun, but also something which I feel is really important.
Great thoughts and input here!
i hope it’s one of those toddler’s pants with the hole in the middle to facilitate potty training.. emmy would love it!
It is not, but you just gave me a great idea for her!
LOVED the video !!!
going to visit Tracey&Craig June 8.
wish U were there too 🙂
Thanks Mrs. Clarke! I’m praying for your time in Virginia with Tracey and Craig.
This is crazy and gross!!! I also can’t believe you never had sweet tea and biscuits and gravy until your 20’s! Seriously how had you never tasted sweet tea?
Teri, did you not try hotpot while you were here?!?!?! You guys need to come back if this is the case!
The sweet tea thing is legit. Though it was around, I refused to try it. It smelled and looked unappetizing to me at the time.
Try during the middle of summer…in the sun…in 95 degree heat…with 100% humidity…
Yuh, done it. . . a bunch . . . not a fan.
Man, we need to talk. It’s been way too long!