by John Melendez

Created on: July 22, 2009

Asian Food: My First Encounter with Stinky Tofu!

Millions (Including Me) Eat it Despite the Smell! A Stinky... What?

China, the land of my childhood dreams. The home of Bruce, Kwai Chang, and the fathomless mythical backdrop of my childhood sweetheart, the woman warrior Fa Mu-lan as told by Maxine Hong Kingston.

And home to one of my most favorite dishes: stinky tofu.

It Began Years Ago...

It began nearly 15 years ago. I remember it all too well because it was the very first day I had stepped onto Chinese soil.

I had barely gotten off the plane, checked into the hotel, and then reported to my first day at work in Hong Kong. The day went well enough because I spent most of it being taken around in the office for introductions and well-wishings for success in future cooperation with my new colleagues. I attended a couple meetings, shook some hands, went to lunch, and got set up with a computer. Pleasantly exhausted after this full day, I went home - to the hotel Regal Riverside, where the company put me up temporarily until I could find more permanent digs.

After taking a shower and slipping into some fresh clothes, I took the express to the ground floor, offered a friendly nod to the concierge, and walked out the front doorway. I stepped into the open-air freedom of one city of several in China that were to be my home for the next several years.

Once outside I was immediately assailed by that amalgam of peculiar odors from which Hong Kong - literally translated as "fragrant port" - got its name. I took in a deep breath of this curious air and smiled happily to myself.

I had finally fulfilled my greatest childhood dream - to live in China.

A Nice Walk and Then...

My thoughts for that first evening: to get a tasty Chinese dinner and then go find some adventure. It seems I lucked out at both that evening - all in one go...

Lured by the temperate breezes wafting off the nearby Shing Mun River, I soon found myself meandering along the waterfront walkway. In the distance was the world-famous Jumbo Kingdom Floating Restaurant, and the lights of New Town City glimmered with a promise of good window shopping. I bowed slightly and offered my best nei ho ("how are you") to the elderly citizens walking by - many old Chinese folks love easygoing jaunts with their hands clasped behind their backs, humble scholar-style.

Pewwww-wweee!

Harking originally from the Arizona desert, I marveled at Hong Kong's abundance of beautiful tropical flora. The powerful

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