When Emperor Qianlong ( 乾隆皇帝 ) traveled incognito to Hangzhou in the Qing Dynasty , he went to a local restaurant and was recognized by the cook . Being too excited and nervous to meet the emperor , the cook mistakenly put Longjing green tea leaves into the dish because he thought that they were green onions , thus accidentally creating a new recipe : Longjing Shrimp ( 龍井蝦 仁 ). Surprisingly , the taste turned out to be fresh and delicious , and coupled with the fact that tea culture has always played an important role in Chinese society , this dish was an immediate success . People believe that tea is useful for clearing our minds and inspiring us in a tranquil manner . Famous for tea , Hangzhou nurtures its people with tea culture , including enjoying a peaceful lifestyle and cherishing nature –– another reason this dish resonates with me as I live in Hong Kong .
While getting used to the fast-paced life in Hong Kong , I always remind myself not to forget about slowing down and enjoying leisure time alone or with people around me . Finding a balance between study or work and life is not always easy , especially when we live in an environment different from what we are used to . Observing many workaholics who always try to achieve higher goals , I sometimes feel the pressure and the urgency to work as diligently as others . However , thinking about life in my hometown calms me down and enables me to believe that it is also important to take some time to consider my options and to evaluate choices instead of being rushed to make sure that life is as fulfilling as it can be .
Soup dumplings ( 小籠包 ) reminds Qinxin of family .
Food is also associated with memories of home . One of most popular homemade dishes is soup dumplings ( 小籠包 ). Spoiled by my grandparents who always made these on weekends when the whole family gathered together , I believe that the dumplings are not only delicious food , but also carry love and care from my family . As my grandparents have gotten older , my parents and I started to take the responsibility of making them for our family dinner . Making traditional food together is part of our family bonds , bringing us closer and closer . And it is meaningful to continue the family tradition , which reminds me to never forget about my roots . While the soup dumplings are prevalent in other parts of China , those from places other than Hangzhou cannot be as satisfying . The whiff of homemade freshly steamed soup dumplings always stays in my mind , no matter how far away I am from home .
Traditional food carries memories , culture and history , and distinguishes cities from one another . While I appreciate and enjoy diverse food from all over the world , I believe that food from one ’ s hometown is irreplaceable . Food nostalgia contains sentiments that allow me to take some time to reminisce about my childhood memories and to bear in mind the attitude towards life my hometown has taught me .
Longjing Shrimp ( 龍井蝦仁 ), made with tea , is a dish that reminds Qinxin to slow down .
Qinxin is currently majoring in English Education . She likes observing things around her and recording them through photography and writing .
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