Dragon Boat Festival in China: A Zongzi Culinary Journey

We tried *traditional* Chinese Zongzi | Dragon Boat Festival

Destination:ChinaCity:SuzhouPopulation:12.7 million
We tried *traditional* Chinese Zongzi | Dragon Boat Festival
James and Keli2021-06-1510 min

For Dragon Boat Festival we tried traditional Chinese zongzi from our giftbox our work gave us! While we teach English during the week, we use our holidays and weekends to explore the different wonders of China. Once the borders open, we'll continue our adventures exploring the rest of the world. Until then, let's explore China together.

--- James and Keli
June 15, 2021, Summer in China

Video Chapters

  1. 0:00Dragon Boat Festival in Suzhou
  2. 0:10Trying traditional Zongzi
  3. 1:05Opening the gift box
  4. 2:22Trying salty goose egg
  5. 5:17Zongzi making and history
  6. 6:09Tasting the Zongzi
  7. 9:18Video conclusion

James And Keli enjoy a delicious Dragon Boat Festival in Suzhou, trying unique Zongzi and salty goose eggs. A fun, tasty cultural experience!

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

  1. Tip 1Consider staying in one place during holidays to experience local culture and food deeply, rather than rushing through travel. (0:00)
  2. Tip 2If you work in China, you might receive gift boxes with local snacks during festivals – a great opportunity to explore local cuisine. (0:16)
  3. Tip 3Making Zongzi yourself is a fun cultural activity; consider taking a class or making it with friends. (0:46)
  4. Tip 4Be adventurous and try local delicacies, even if they seem unusual at first; you might discover new favorites. (2:26)
  5. Tip 5Learn about the history and significance of festivals like the Dragon Boat Festival to enrich your travel experience. (5:32)
  6. Tip 6Remember to cool down hot Zongzi before eating to avoid burns. (6:09)
  7. Tip 7Homemade Zongzi might taste better than store-bought ones, but trying both offers a unique comparison. (9:05)

This Dragon Boat Festival, James And Keli skipped traveling and stayed in Suzhou to experience traditional Chinese Zongzi. They received a gift box from work containing various Zongzi and salty goose eggs. While James And Keli usually regift such boxes, this time, they decided to share the culinary adventure with their viewers. The video documents their tasting experience, highlighting the unique flavors and textures of different Zongzi varieties. Their reactions and commentary add a personal touch, making it an engaging watch for anyone curious about Chinese cuisine and culture.

More about the current video:( 21 / 37 )

We tried *traditional* Chinese Zongzi | Dragon Boat Festival

In this video, James And Keli share their Dragon Boat Festival experience in Suzhou, China. Instead of traveling, they decided to savor traditional Chinese Zongzi from a gift box provided by their workplace. They usually regift such boxes, but this year, they decided to try the Zongzi with their viewers. The video begins with an introduction to Zongzi, rice balls wrapped in bamboo leaves, and a brief explanation of their previous experiences making Zongzi. They then proceed to open the gift box, revealing various Zongzi with different colored strings indicating different flavors, and eight salty goose eggs. After boiling water, they carefully prepare three Zongzi – red, green, and yellow – while simultaneously attempting to eat a salty goose egg. The salty goose egg proves to be an unexpectedly salty experience, not to their liking. The video then shifts to explaining the cultural significance of the Dragon Boat Festival, commemorating the life of Qu Yuan, a famous poet and minister who died over two thousand years ago. The tradition involves dragon boat races and eating Zongzi. Finally, James And Keli sample the three Zongzi, describing the taste and texture of each one. The red one, which they believe contains red bean paste, turns out to be sweet and sticky. The yellow one is surprisingly salty, and the green one doesn't meet their expectations. They conclude by expressing their preference for sweet Zongzi and sharing their overall experience, inviting viewers to like and subscribe to their channel. Overall, the video offers a delightful glimpse into a Chinese cultural celebration and culinary tradition, enhanced by James And Keli's engaging personalities and commentary.

The unique aspect of this video lies in its personal touch. It's not just a demonstration of eating Zongzi; it's a shared experience, filled with genuine reactions, humorous moments, and cultural insights. The viewer feels like they're participating in the event alongside James And Keli. The inclusion of the salty goose eggs adds an unexpected twist, showcasing the diversity of Chinese food and the couple's willingness to try new things, even if it doesn't always end up being to their taste.

The focus on personal insights makes the video more relatable and memorable. The viewers get a sense of James And Keli's personalities and their relationship with each other and their work colleagues. The video is informative yet entertaining, successfully balancing cultural education with a lighthearted approach. The cultural significance of the Dragon Boat Festival is explained concisely, making it accessible to a wider audience. The video's conversational tone keeps the viewer engaged throughout, making the learning experience enjoyable and enriching.

The emotional moments are subtle but effective. The shared experience of trying the Zongzi and the goose eggs creates a sense of camaraderie between the couple and the viewers. Their genuine reactions, both positive and negative, make the video authentic and relatable. The overall feeling is one of warmth and shared discovery, making it a pleasant and informative watch.

Dragon Boat Festival in China: A Zongzi Culinary Journey

For Dragon Boat Festival we tried traditional Chinese zongzi from our giftbox our work gave us! Support us monthly on Patreon! We have monthly tiers to help support us on the road while we travel, giving you exclusive access. We are now on Buy Me a Coffee. 😊 Support us so we can keep making amazing...

Suzhou Dragon Boat Festival: Zongzi & Salty Egg Taste Test

James and Keli, two adventurous travelers from Kansas, now based in China, share their experience celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival. Their work gifted them a box of traditional Chinese Zongzi, which they excitedly sampled. This video offers a delightful glimpse into their life in China, exploring the country's rich culture and traditions while teaching English during the week and exploring on weekends. A perfect blend of cultural immersion and personal journey!

Attractions in this video: Zhu Long Cave