Lunch at an International School

Here are a few things you’ll only see in the lunchroom of an international school in China.

Ketchup on sushi rolls.

Macaroni finagled with chopsticks.

And just fold the pizza already! This kid has never been to New York City.

Students can select from a wide variety of frozen treats for dessert including corn flavored ice treats and frozen yogurt balls.

Zongi, or rice dumplings in the shape of pyramids are also on every table this time of the year. These little pyramids are a specialty for Dragon Boat Festival. While you can purchase them at street markets, Starbucks also sells them with your green tea cream frappuccino.

Fresh hopped cereal. Sugar pops, corn pops, and honey crisps are available on streetcorners.

The cereal is popped on the premises, not in Battle Creek, Michigan.

Many students bring their own lunches, quail eggs, homemade rice rolls, dumplings, noodles, and Hahal selections for students from Malaysia, Burma, and Indonesia. And Oreos. The smear of filling inside is thinner than what you dunk in your milk in the Midwest. And the flavors? I’m not sure about floral, grape, or peach.

And yes, kids are picky eaters in Asia as well. They will down fifteen chicken feet but will still pick out the peppers in their pasta. But the real mouthful at lunch is the Chinese word for an international school, guó jì xué xiào, pronounced Gwo Jee ShaWayCheeShou.

• Nǐ chī le ma?” Have you eaten lunch?”
• Chinese-American Test Kitchens
• Rice 饭 Fàn