Tuesday 11 September

The two-level canteen building

A selection of the food on offer

I haven’t written about food for days, so it must time again.

With the influx of 1st year students, the college is packed, and some students have now been billeted in the teachers’ accommodation building – with a consequent increase in the noise levels. Not too bad though.

Mini billboard on the way to level 2

The cafeteria has now opened the upper level as well. It’s like feeding an army here.

Speaking of which, a proportion of the new students appear to be either army recruits or cadets – all with decent appetites. The place is incredible with two levels of people eating and talking.

Cafeteria level 2 serving area

It appears that the upper level has slightly better food (less oily and more meat) at a slightly higher price.

The way it’s presented is a bit similar to a sushi train, that is many small plates to choose from at varying prices, and two sizes of rice. So you just pick what you want and pay at the cashier.

 They are not set meals as we know them. Still it’s possible to eat a lot for $1 though, so it’s a very good service for students – and staff.

A selection of the dishes on offer

Anyway on special today, in addition to some very nice vegetable dishes (including a very tender small-celery dish) was a greater range of meat than usual.

Students at lunchtime in the cafeteria

There were two dishes I hadn’t seen before. 

The first had thinly sliced pork steak laid out like spokes on a wheel on a bed of salad. I haven’t had a salad since I arrived so it was a welcome change. 

Chinese people basically cook everything, hardly anything is eaten raw - a huge difference from Japanese cuisine.

The second dish was simple plate of thinly chopped roast duck thigh (of course with the bones still in).

As I mentioned before, just trying everything would be too much food, so now I’m buying food once a day at lunchtime, for two meals.