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Chopsticks and children

Kids will be king at Mainland China till May 30

Photo: R.Ragu

KIDDY PLATTER Little ones enjoying the special spread for them Photo: R.Ragu

Mainland China will not allow parents this week, unless accompanied by children. You'll have to be prepared for that, and be ready to expect little ones at every table, and under them too. Fencing with chopsticks will probably be excused too.

Mainland China has gone all out to indulge their little customers. A thoughtfully designed colourful menu has a mandarin cartoon promising to teach you Chinese in five minutes, if you'll only read aloud. So let the kids order their own yum-yums in an exotic Chinese dialect — Chi ken ka joo (cashew nut chicken with lemon sauce) or Ni on kex (double onion cakes). "Ye, yes, they are real names," says the manager of the restaurant with enthusiastic nods, dodging a pretty little thing playing musical chairs.

When the manager warns you, "It's all on the sweeter side", take that seriously unless you have more than a sweet tooth. Caramelised shrimps with plum sauce was a tasty starter, while the Chi ken lo li (crumb fried chicken lollipops) was a little bland. By the time the third dish arrived, you knew their strategy — keep it simple, keep it neat and keep them happy.

It's all short eats and toned down spices that children can tackle easily. The Lam yum ga li or lamb twisters with sweet garlic sauce, was nice and crispy, and the Co co kim yum or coconut crème caramel, was deliciously smooth but a little strong on the flavour. A slice of raw mango and a pinch of salt were all we could think of, by the time we were done with Choc won ton kim (chocolate wontons with ice cream). Of course, our older taste buds ached for some good, non-fried, healthy food, but we hardly qualified as children. No balloons, masks and chocolates for us. But with so many happy children whoo cares.

MEERA MOHANTY

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