Monday, April 28, 2008

"Ovaries on the side please"

Recently seen on the dessert menu here in Beiijing: "Hasma in coconut milk"

Yum, sounds delicious. I proceed to inquire what it is of the friendly waitress. Not knowing English, she made valiant efforts to explain.

Me: What is Hasma?
She: (obvious struggle to communicate evident on her face) Err... baby
Me: Baby?
She: Missus like to eat... lady become beautiful
Me (thinking): oh crap it must be placenta. (If you are wondering, you don't know Asia yet)

At this point I give up and order "Walnut cream with black sesame dumpling". In time I get the ordered dish and a note from the kitchen - "ovaries of frog".

That, baby, is Hasma.

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