Job Discussion Forums

Haft · Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 23

Hello all. I can't help but suppose, from having read and vaguely noted various postings, that in between the two major money-making regions of TEFL, East Asia offers a better lifestyle in the way of just freely associating with people and making friends, but the Middle-East is much better in terms of food. Any thoughts?

Cleopatra · Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 1:26 pm Post subject:

One of the most bizarre OPs yet.

I wasn't aware that there was one generic "Muslim" cuisine. Indeed, anyone who has travelled within the Arab world alone knows that there are huge differences between the cuisines of neighbouring countries. Here in the Gulf, the local cuisine is rather dull and uninspiring - as one would expect in a desert landscape. However, most of the larger cities have a fairly good range of restaurants offering cuisines from all over the world. That said, McDonalds and their ilk have a depressingly high profile.

But if it's food in "Muslim countries" you're interested in, go to Lebanon, Syria or Turkey, all of which are predominantly "Muslim" and are famed for their national cuisines.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Cleo... you forgot Iran!!

But in terms of "cuisine" such as it is... I'd say that you have it backwards and the food is better in East Asia. ...a matter of taste...

VS

Cleopatra · Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 5:06 pm Post subject:

The trouble with Iranian cuisine is that it has no tasty, healthy and ubiquitous fast food in the wonderful Middle Eastern style. They have nothing similar to the delicious white cheese borek of Turkey, not to mention the ever reliable felafel of the Levant. Kebab? No, seriously...

007 · Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 7:36 pm Post subject:

The best food in the world is in Malaysia.

The worst food in the world is in USA & UK. Laughing

Malaysia is the only country in the world which appointed a food Ambassador!!!

johnslat · Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 8:01 pm Post subject: Chef Wan

Dear 007,
Great Caesar's Ghost - it really has:

"Bobby�s culinary journey hits its high point when he meets up with with Malaysian food ambassador and TV chef - the flamboyant Chef Wan - to cook Ketam Sri Wangi."

and let me add that Indonesian cuisine is also scrumptious.

Regards,
John

Haft · Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 23

I don't remember actually generalizing about Muslim cuisine so much as the quality of and widespread satisfaction level with the food in Muslim countries. I also had in mind Turkey (the country). But since the question was indeed begged, what universal cuisine may be posited for the Middle-East, or alternatively, the Arab-Muslim world? How does it rate?

Also:
- Is it true that in some as-yet-to-be-named Muslim country, you really get your food served on edible plates?
- Is there a widespread, systematic modifying of the McDonald's menu throughout the Muslim Middle-East?
- Any words on table manners and etiquette?
- Horror stories are always good.
- Bizarre, huh? Well, I really wasn't trying with the first one anyways...

mishmumkin · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

McD serves beer in Europe? What an educational board this is...

I have never heard of "edible plates" - the closest thing is that I have heard that some Asian countries serve their food on a large leaf - probably banana, but you don't eat it. I suppose that the flat bread could be used as a plate. This sounds like something that could occur in very small places that not many foreigners frequent.

In all my years around the Middle East I never heard any horror stories related to food... except the random food poisoning that can occur anywhere. Unless you mean the stories of people who get offered a sheep's eyeball, but I have only encountered that tale in books. People who are used to their meat hermetically sealed in plastic may find the butchers in the souq a bit of a shock.

VS

johnslat · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 4:10 pm Post subject: The eyes have it

Dear veiledsentiments,
Not only in books, I'm sorry to say. I was offered (and accepted - I mean, what else could I do without seeming like a rude hawaji?) at a "wedding party in Jeddah.
So, I popped it in and swallowed very rapidly, with an inane grin on my face and prayed that I wouldn't get offered the other one as well.
Never underestimate the power of prayer.
Regards,
John

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

Oh, how I wish I lived in one of those Muslim countries with world-famous cuisine... At least there are enough Turkish/Lebanese/Iranian restaurants here.

d

(in Oman, not exactly the culinary capital of the world)

007 · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 4:02 pm Post subject:

uaeobserver · Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Posts: 236

I've dined in Iran, Turkey, Lebanon, and Greece.

Lebanon wins.

Somehow missed out on India - which is odd, since they're right across the pond (one of the ponds, anyway).

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

You can see the absurdity of this question if you turn it around and ask "What is food like in Christian countries ?"