Let's face it. My husband is far more comfortable in Asia than in Europe. Having spent two+ years living in Thailand, followed by a good decade studying and working in Southeast Asia, he's pretty much right at home in anything that looks, smells or tastes like Asia. So it is incredibly fortunate for us that while he's acclimating to European life, the largest Chinatown in Europe is in our backyard. Paris' Chinatown - or Quartier Chinois - is about a 30 minute metro ride to the 13th arrondissement. It's not fancy, but it's most definitely an authentic experience without the expense of a traveling to another continent. We spent yesterday afternoon walking around the streets of Chinatown, allowing the aromas drifting from the Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, Thai and Chinese restaurants to awaken the vivid memories of the times we have both traveled throughout the region. The sense of smell is incredible in that respect - it can pick you up and transport you to a different place and time. I'm not sure how many Parisians take a regular trip to this part of town (who don't live there or find an expat community there), but I think we will be making regular visits to this part of the city to stock up on all the mangosteen, rambutan, longan and tamarind we can eat.
My new-found obsession is tamarind, which is like fruit crack, for anyone who hasn't tried it yet... It's basically a food staple throughout the ENTIRE world, but I somehow made it this far in life without trying it. I plan to make up for lost time.
1 Comment
Madhura
4/24/2014 01:12:39 pm
Please have some rambutan and Soto Ayam (if it's available) for me the next time you're there.
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