On our days off in port, crew members who work onboard cruise ships all have our regular spots that we like to go to. I have many places all over the world that I will never forget—from beaches in the Caribbean too little cafés in Europe. However, one of my favourite spots is much less glamorous.
In the city of Shanghai, China, away from the tourist spots, is a crew favourite, which we called The Dumpling Shack. They serve the best dumplings I have ever tasted to this day, and I stand by that! Early on I learnt that if you want the best food, eat where the locals eat. The Shack didn’t have any of the luxuries we normally take for granted, which proves how good their dumplings were! It was run by a little Chinese woman who didn’t speak any English, so we had to get by with communicating through pointing and smiling. Regardless of the language barrier, she always welcomed us in and, as we returned many times, she always threw in a couple extra dumplings for us. While The Dumpling Shack was a small part of my life for eight months, it left a lasting effect on me. Even though there are obstacles with language, contrasts in culture, and variances in cuisine, we should embrace these differences, come together around a table, and enjoy new foods. You might discover something.
(Originally Published May 2021)
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