When all else fails in my culinary exploits in China, I go for octopus. Throughout the east of the country small octopuses are grilled up in the streets, showered with spices, and served to pedestrians skewered on sticks for a virtual pittance. For 10 RMB (US $1.60) I can get 15 miniature octopuses on five [...]
When all else fails in my culinary exploits in China, I go for octopus. Throughout the east of the country small octopuses are grilled up in the streets, showered with spices, and served to pedestrians skewered on sticks for a virtual pittance. For 10 RMB (US $1.60) I can get 15 miniature octopuses on five skewers. Not a bad price to pay for such a delicious, albeit leggy snack.
Eating tentacles is fun. That’s all I have to say on the matter of eating octopus. The soft, chewy texture provides a spurt of flavor once the crispy, grilled exterior is bitten through to the squishy insides. Add in the feel of hundreds of little suction cups and eating octopus becomes an oral escapade.
As far as flavor goes, I’m not sure if octopus really has any. I’ve eaten octopus without any flavorings on numerous occasions and I know that my admittedly insensitive palate didn’t taste a damn thing. But grill octopus up in oil and onions, and dump sesame seeds, chili power, and other spices on it and its naturally bland flavor becomes overtly vibrant. Like tofu, octopus seems to absorb whatever seasonings you cook it with.



About the Author: VBJ
I am the founder and editor of Vagabond Journey. I’ve been traveling the world since 1999, through 90 countries. I am the author of the book, Ghost Cities of China and have written for The Guardian, Forbes, Bloomberg, The Diplomat, the South China Morning Post, and other publications. VBJ has written 3682 posts on Vagabond Journey. Contact the author.
VBJ is currently in: Papa Bay, Hawaii
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September 3, 2012, 2:20 am
Me, too. Love it … But here in downtown Hangzhou, one pays 5 RMB per stick. Such are the higher prices of the biggest cities.
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