Street Vendors

Walking the streets of Shanghai can make a person feel desired. But it is only regarding your attention and your money. The street vendors are clamoring for you to stop and acknowledge what they have to peddle. What they sell and how aggressive they are in doing so has varied by location within the city.

When downtown, it has mainly been individuals trying to sell the Rolex for about 20 RMB or yuan, about $3.50. What a bargain! I just knew they were overpriced. They stand on street corners, follow you walking, and grab the arm. The true hard sell approach. Food vendors are not in the more upscale shopping area, only those who sell the higher-end counterfeit goods.

Near USST, the environment is entirely different. Street vendors abound and serve the locals. Fresh produce are either in carts or laid out on the streets for selection. Every kind of fruit and vegetable you could think of (and some I had no idea what they were) were available. One item had pyramid-type spikes all over its odd shape. When traveling, I only buy what I can peel so I took it safe and bought more oranges.

Even meat is out in the open, and it is not on ice. Walking by the beef, pork, and chicken that has been out in the elements for a while, with no type of refrigeration, has its own distinct aroma. The pace quickened. Fresh fish, still in the water, can be selected for the evening meal. It will even be gutted for you as you wait. Hairy crabs were being wrapped up for someone else's table.

There was a large, open indoor market that was more of the same; each area specializing in a different type of food. Here one could buy the live chicken if so desired. Different types of breads were also available, and at one bakery stall, there appeared to be oatmeal cookies!

If you want to eat on the street, again, lots of options are available. Different types of fried bread sandwiches, stir fry, grilled or fried kabobs, baked sweet potatoes, caramel corn...quite a selection. The downside is that these ingredients have been sitting out in the open, the time factor unknown, so there is a risk involved with the meat and eggs that are used (at least from my stomach's perspective). The caramel corn is made with an old stir popper and sugar is added when it is popping. It is quite good, and sticky, as that was what Mel had been on the lookout for.

Maybe I will get brave before I leave and try some of the street food. If only I could find a USDA inspection stamp somewhere!