![]() I go often – too often – and order a half chicken with spiced fries, packed in a styrofoam container. It’s moist, aggressively seasoned and piping hot. A new obsession has taken shape: Portuguese rotisserie chicken from the restaurant around the corner. My environment has changed and I have, too. Other than the occasional visit home to Trenton, Ont., I live in Montreal, where my childhood, my family and my Cantonese culture feel distant. My sweet tooth has evolved into a savoury tooth, but I still can’t attend a family dim sum lunch without having three egg tarts piled on my plate. Sometimes, I feel it is the essence of my Cantonese-Canadian childhood. The sweet, gooey egg tart is a staple of my early dim sum experience. The childhood version of myself is always happier after eating dan tats. Everyone watches as I inhale one after the other. Three egg tarts are immediately placed in front of me by various adults. “Ling ling!” “It’s your favourite!” “Dan tat!” They all know of my obsession. When the plate of egg tarts arrives at the table, everyone summons my attention. ![]() The egg tart is bliss it is perfection in a dessert. It is golden, with a flaky exterior, and a warm, sweet, custardy interior. There is only one dish that is worthy of my attention. Reluctantly, I stuff the morsel into my mouth, barely tasting it before I swallow. I stare at my Tetris screen, looking up periodically to find that a new dumpling, vegetable or mysterious patty has been plopped onto my plate by my mother. I have my Game Boy, my math homework and my sisters to keep me entertained.īowls of congee, a pot of bo lay tea, plates of spicy chicken feet, barbecue pork buns and turnip cakes rotate in front of me. The adults at my table practically shout at one another when exchanging words – what these words are, I’m not sure – they’re whatever-adults-talk-about words. ![]() The restaurant is loud dozens of conversations amalgamate in one indistinguishable buzz. The walls around me are lined with red velvety fabric. I am 8, maybe 9, seated at a large, circular table. Have a story to tell? See our guidelines at tgam.ca/essayguide. Facts & Arguments is a daily personal piece submitted by readers.
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