In The Market for Grooviness

Here is an excellent way to practise and learn more Cantonese: Going to the market with your very own Happy Jellyfish People’s Democratic Language Bureau. This is how it works: First we sit down with some nourishing hot drink and go through the Cantonese words for the things you’re buying that day. (There’s no need to learn the dictionary by heart; concentrate on the stuff you like and eat regularly.)

Then, armed with a trolley, the Cantonese course material and some cash, we dive into the nearest market, in this case Yat “Tung” market near “Tung” Chung.

With your faithful tutor standing casually by (close but not too close) you proceed to buy the meat and vegetables you need for, as in this brave victim’s case, a barbecue for 16 the same night. Stage whispers and gentle stabbings with “Phoenix claws” (chicken wings) steer you effortlessly through the waters of catties (a Chinese measure), pounds, packets, bunches and bags of stuff.

Success! Two catties of pork bones are in the bag, so to speak!

Do a crash course in market shopping this Chinese New Year; eat yourself silly the same night. The products are fresher and prices much lower than in the supermarket.

You can also take a course in Sichuan cooking, followed by a lovely meal and beer.

逸東街市 – Yat Dong Gai Si (Yat “Tung” Market)
斤 – Gan -（Catty, about 1 lb.)
磅 Bong – (Pound)
過年 – Goh lin (Chinese New Year)