Flattery and compliments poured out

Author: Zhang Jianxiong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: Using green bamboo to hold spring bamboo shoots and red shrimp, whether it offers a unique flavor is not something that needs deep investigation. Applying Zhou Zuoren's words, this way of eating embodies the "refined or decadent essence of history." For the taste of the Chinese, dishes like salmon and edamame might be more refined when prepared by high-end Shanghai restaurants. Reading Zhang Jianxiong's "Hunger Wanderings," what we care about is not the flavors within but the realm his words evoke. Realm is one aspect of culture, and it is also what makes Zhang Jianxiong's "Eating Encounters" stand out from the ordinary. The world is vast, and nothing is unusual. Eating on the go leads to a basket of cravings. Just like the book's title "A Feast of Cravings," it is all about "cravings."
In the preface, the author writes: "I am passionate about food and always seek deep understanding. When I discover something delightful, I happily savor it and share it with fellow food enthusiasts. I have always sought out food in distant places, traveling far to taste the authentic. In recent years, I revisited Kyoto to admire the maple leaves and savor kaiseki, listened to music in Vienna and enjoyed pastries, embarked on my first journey to Sichuan to taste its spicy flavors, and revisited Jinling to reflect on its history."
The book includes chapters such as "A Basket of Shrimp Talk," "A Basket of Pork Talk," "A Basket of Wine Talk," "Eating in Chengdu," "A Journey Through Vietnam," "A Trip to Malaya," "Random Notes on a Fujian Tour," and more. Through these cravings, one can appreciate the joy of food and enjoy a natural, carefree state.