I know  there is always this or that problem you may have with the wet market. But I just love it more and more.

Unlike supermarket, everything is standard, the wet market makes me feel so personal. Every owner of the stand has their own personalities although they sell very similar stuffs. Some are more quiet while some are more talkative. If you shop in wet market frequently, you can easily establish relations with some of your favourite owners which makes the shopping experiences more pleasant. Guess what, I even got to know the fruit stand owner’s two sons  today! It is also very easy to tell what kind of things are in season. Just look around, they are usually piled on every stand!

Some readers wrote to me about their problems about shopping in wet market, for example, don’t know what exactly the stuff was and how to cook it, how to bargain etc. To be honest, I had the same problems when I first time shopped in wet market and I am a Chinese! For example, I also don’t know some vegetables in Shanghai wet market as they may only be available in south part of China. So I usually ask the owner for cooking advice. But of course this may not be possible if you don’t speak Chinese.

When I first started to shop in wet market in Shanghai, I usually only bought vegetables there not only because vegetables in wet market were much fresher than those in supermarket, but also it wouldn’t cost me a lot if I made any mistake or being ripped off by some bad owners. I usually bought meat, dairy or poultry from supermarket because I was not so sure about the quality in wet market. I am still doing this now!

 Usually Chinese  stir fry the vegetables (most leafy vegetables. you can put chopped garlic to add more flavour). Or simply boil them and add some soy sauce.

Most stuffs in wet market are very Chinese. Although sometimes they look like the food you are familiar with in hometown, they are actually not. For example, those hams, sausages stands in wet market. They are all Chinese style which require special cooking techniques.

I believe it is a gradual progress of shopping in wet market and you do learn while you are practicing.

Some of my findings:

- the quality of the vegetables in wet market is better than supermarket (this has been agreed with my mum!)

- the price of vegetables and meat in wet market might be higher than the supermarket

- the owner can usually provide extra service for free if you buy, for example, slice the pork, clean the fish or even make the fillet. Always ask!

- local fruits in wet market is way better than supermarket. But you may better choose the imported fruits from supermarket as the price is lower especially when it is on sale in supermarket. For example, the New Zealand Kiwi

Tags: Shanghai Wet Market

Got Questions? Like our Site? Want to Share with Friends?

• Ask Hoo questions and mail to:cookhoo@gmail.com Or Subscribe to our RSS feed:

• Click to bookmark our site or tell a friend: