Monkey Abroad - A blog about living in China and eating Chinese food. Videos, stories, photos, advice, and teaching ESL.

(VIDEO) Roadside Pig’s Ear in Shanghai

February 15, 2015 by Kevin Cook | 3 Comments

Pig’s ears are for sale in roadside stalls and hole-in-the-wall restaurants throughout China. Although I’ve seen it plenty of times, I hadn’t tried it until today, and turns out it’s outstandingly delicious. Continue Reading →

February 14, 2015
by Kevin Cook
1 Comment

China’s Annoying VPN Crackdown (and Why I Use Vypr VPN)

As if censorship wasn’t enough trouble, China’s government is adding even more bricks to the Great Firewall by specifically targeting VPN providers. Many of my friends have voiced that their VPNs haven’t been working properly, if at all. But while I keep hearing about VPN issues from friends and in articles I’ve read online, I’m still able to access all my favorite websites without a problem. This wouldn’t be possible without Vypr VPN. Continue Reading →

January 25, 2015
by Kevin Cook
2 Comments

(VIDEO) China 2014 – Extra Footage!

2014 was a year spent almost entirely in China. I traveled to 11 cities in five provinces in the PRC and filmed way more footage than was necessary. This video is just some of those extra shots compiled in no particular order, just for fun. Enjoy the randomness. Continue Reading →

January 18, 2015
by Kevin Cook
14 Comments

(VIDEO) Fermented Stinky Tofu 臭豆腐

Chou doufu (臭豆腐) which literally translates to “stinky tofu” is tofu that’s been fermented in a jar for months. With the help of my friend, I got my hands on some genuine, locally fermented Chinese stinky tofu and I (stupidly) eat some in this video. Continue Reading →

December 20, 2014
by Kevin Cook
4 Comments

I’m Bigger in China

The contextually ambiguous title is actually based on the number of views my videos receive in China compared to the west. A single video of mine, shared to Chinese social media and on Chinese video streaming websites like acfun.tv, bilibili.com and YouKu.com, received more total views in one day than all of my videos on YouTube combined. Chinese people like my stuff more than westerners, it seems. Continue Reading →

December 7, 2014
by Kevin Cook
9 Comments

(VIDEO) 4 Best Chinese Dumplings

Dumplings are a central part of Chinese cuisine. Typically a dumpling consists of ground meat or vegetable filling wrapped up in a thinly rolled piece of dough, which is sealed shut by a dextrous pinch of the fingers. But that’s not to say that all dumplings are the same. Join me as I sample the 4 best types of Chinese dumplings served here in Shanghai. Continue Reading →

October 10, 2014
by Kevin Cook
16 Comments

(VIDEO) American Living in China – After One Year

The more I learn about China, the more I realize I don’t know and never will know. That being said, I still have a clearer insight on life in China than I did when I first got here one year ago.
Continue Reading →

August 31, 2014
by Kevin Cook
4 Comments

(VIDEO) Eating Creamy Uyghur Ice Cream in Kashgar, XinJiang

In the illuminated night market of Kashgar, one scent in particular is so sweet and alluring that I can’t resist. It’s the smell of creamy Uyghur ice cream, made fresh by Uyghur Muslim street vendors. Watch them churn up delicious homestyle ice cream using a cool roadside cart in this video. Continue Reading →

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