That Evan Guy embarks on an eye-opening journey through Shanghai, aiming to dismantle Western misconceptions about China's development. He begins by contrasting his past perceptions of New York as the world's center with the reality he found there – a "dumpster" of crime and dirt. Upon arriving in China, particularly Shanghai, he's blown away by the country's progress, finding its cities, including Chengdu and Xi'an, to be far more impressive.
His exploration of Shanghai kicks off with a taste of its original breakfast: a unique soy milk mixture with curdy soy, seaweed, and fried dough. While initially finding it unusual, he ultimately describes it as "super unique" and "way tastier than I thought," noting the high quality of Chinese soy milk compared to its US counterpart. He also savors the accompanying fried dough, calling it "crack" and "crispy on the outside, super flavorful and mushy on the inside."
The video then showcases Shanghai's incredibly efficient and clean metro system, which he compares favorably to Western public transport. He marvels at the futuristic design, the seamless payment via Alipay, and the overall sense of order and safety, noting the absence of issues like public urination, which he associates with Western cities. This leads him to reflect on the political narratives that he believes misrepresent China's progress, suggesting that Western politicians are motivated by a fear of China's advancement.
His culinary adventure continues with a visit to a food recommendation, though he's initially skeptical due to its proximity to a mall. He tries a pork liver noodle dish, describing it as "pretty delicious" but not "mind-blowing," rating it an 8.5. He critiques its modern setting, suggesting traditional noodle shops offer a superior experience.
Later, That Evan Guy is stunned by the architecture on the east side of Shanghai, likening it to Olympus and Zeus's house, with grand columns and an immense scale. He expresses awe at the "advanced engineering" and "advanced architecture," contrasting it with the perceived stagnation in the US and the political decisions he believes hinder American progress.
He also visits a local farmer's market, which he finds to be a hub of authentic experiences and high-quality food, preferred by older residents. Here, he discovers a highly recommended Shanghai specialty: scallion oil noodles (葱油拌面). This dish, described as "fragrant, slightly oily, sweet, packing with flavor," receives a perfect 10/10, significantly outshining his earlier noodle experience and solidifying his belief in the authenticity of local markets over more modern establishments.
Throughout the video, That Evan Guy consistently challenges the narrative that China is lagging behind, emphasizing its rapid development, the dedication of its people, and the stark contrast he observes with the issues he perceives in the United States. He concludes that China is perhaps the most misunderstood country by Westerners due to pervasive misinformation.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What were the sweet potato noodles like?
- A: They looked like shining leather and tasted yummy!
- Q: What was the most surprising thing you found?
- A: Probably the $1 haircut and the fact that I didn't need a ticket to enter the Zhu-long cave!
