I lived in China for years, yet I
never heard the word “Wet Market” until very recently, until it has been
associated with the outbreak of COVID-19. Within a day of reaching China, we
were shown the local chain supermarket, which was a small grocery filled with
imported goods and a small shelf with fresh produce. More often than not the ‘fresh’
produces were not fresh. However, every time I was out after breakfast or before
dinner, I would see a steady stream of people, usually older men and women, carrying
big identical looking plastic bags in both hands. I could see fresh vegetables
peeking out of them. I thought there must have been a market somewhere around.
I decided to follow them one day and ended up in a narrow alleyway with traditional
houses. A staircase went up a narrow balcony to an entrance that was covered
with ceiling to floor plastic sheets. The structure looked like a huge
warehouse. Inside was a surprisingly big bustling market. Organized rows of stalls
were filled with huge piles of fresh fruits, vegetables, different types of
eggs, spices, grains, a big bakery where you can buy freshly steamed baozis or
stuffed breads, handmade noodles, butcher shop, all kinds of fresh tofu, fish
and sea food. I learned this was 傳統市場 or chuántǒng
shìchǎng or the Traditional Market. Parts of the floor of these
markets were used to be wet because of the heaps of ice in the seafood and fish
stalls to keep them cool. Now these traditional ‘wet markets’ should not be confused
with Wildlife Markets – that people are asking to ban.
If you are a fan of farmers markets,
then you will also like these traditional markets in China. These markets are
the place where you will find the freshest food and in season food. In my every
trip to the market I used to discover a new food. If it were Mongolian Tarag
yogurt made from Yaks yesterday, then today it would be Mantou or the
Chinese steamed buns. Then tomorrow you would discover the delicious black jelly
like fungus. Your heart will fill with excitement when you will find a new variety
of freshly made Tofu that your trusted vendor tucked away for you under a damp
piece of cloth. Despite having the modern supermarket nearby this traditional and
‘wet’ market remained my favourite place for shopping because of the freshness
of their food.
Mantou Steamed Buns
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