The last time we visited TaiwanFest was years ago, when it was still at Plaza of Nations. Since Buddha Boy and I had no plans for the day, we drove Downtown and did a quick visit...and yes, it was a very quick visit. The festival was quite disappointing...in fact, it was sad, really sad.
Well, I guess I really shouldn't complain much here since these food stalls were located under "International Food Fair". Stalls that featured Cantonese dim sum, northern Chinese BBQ skewers and Japanese bakudanyaki seemed appropriate...but bubble tea and Taiwanese street snacks? Shouldn't these be part of the section where it featured Taiwanese food?
Now, there were two sections that proudly featured Taiwanese-style "street banquet 流水席"...one at Granville Street for its Taiwanese street food section (not the "International Food Fair") and the other at the Vancouver Art Gallery for Chef Hung 洪師父牛肉麵 (a side note, apparently, a West Vancouver location is scheduled to open at the end of September). Honestly, both resembled nothing like 流水席 in Taiwan. What provided here at the festival was just round tables decorated like a "street banquet" in Taiwan. The tables were basically used as a food court sitting area where you buy your food, find a seat, eat your food. What a joke.
流水席, or "street banquet" (as what TaiwanFest called it), means a banquet with nonstop feast (where food is continuously served from the beginning to the end)...it's practically an AYCE!!! Length of banquet varies, sometimes only half a day while others could go up to three days, maybe more. Instead of calling it "street banquet", maybe "continuous banquet" is more appropriate. "流水" simply means "flowing water", and it resembles the continuous turn-over of tables as guests/diners come and go. With no invitations, guests/diners often provide monetary gifts ("red pockets" 紅包) or small "dining fee" to the hosts. On average, each "turn" has approximately ten to twelve courses, all banquet dishes, not some depressing street food. 流水席 is not limited to outdoors, it can also take place indoors (i.e. hotels, restaurants, etc.). 流水席 should not be confused with 辦桌 as the latter simply means "street catering" and it does not provide continuous feast.
流水席, or "street banquet" (as what TaiwanFest called it), means a banquet with nonstop feast (where food is continuously served from the beginning to the end)...it's practically an AYCE!!! Length of banquet varies, sometimes only half a day while others could go up to three days, maybe more. Instead of calling it "street banquet", maybe "continuous banquet" is more appropriate. "流水" simply means "flowing water", and it resembles the continuous turn-over of tables as guests/diners come and go. With no invitations, guests/diners often provide monetary gifts ("red pockets" 紅包) or small "dining fee" to the hosts. On average, each "turn" has approximately ten to twelve courses, all banquet dishes, not some depressing street food. 流水席 is not limited to outdoors, it can also take place indoors (i.e. hotels, restaurants, etc.). 流水席 should not be confused with 辦桌 as the latter simply means "street catering" and it does not provide continuous feast.
The only display at the festival that somewhat showcased "Taiwan" was provided by the Vancouver Taiwan Hakka Association 溫哥華台灣客家會. However, it really only showcased the Hakka culture in Taiwan. Dry delicacies, paper arts, magazines, banners and posters were used to promote their culture.
Tzu Chi Foundation Canada 佛教慈濟基金會加拿大分會, a co-organizer of the event, had a tent that promoted the humanistic of tea and harmony. Complimentary baked goods were provided.
Tzu Chi Foundation Canada 佛教慈濟基金會加拿大分會 also had a section where they provided free consultation of Chinese herbal medicine.
Buddha Boy and I ate nothing...yes, nothing, at the festival...the food selections were just plain sad and disappointing. The only place where we spent our money was at a fundraising tent for Tzu Chi Foundation Canada 佛教慈濟基金會加拿大分會.
Let's call things by it's name: a bastardization of an "event", where, by to attract people unrelated to the culture, things outside of the culture are allowed to be brought in or simply watered down. Good for people in general; not those who have higher expectations...
ReplyDeleteWow, the real street banquet in Taiwan sounds really good. Is it only done on special occasions? Thanks for the info BG.
ReplyDelete@Kim, it was a bastardization. To some degree, I could understand it, but the 'street banquet' thing was a bit over the top, the only thing i'd consider it somewhat similar is the colourful tablecloths. I was disappointed that there really wasn't much promo of the country itself. The Richmond night market has more of a feel of a TW night market/festival than the TaiwanFest did.
ReplyDelete@Crispy,
I'll let BG answer your question, but I don't think it's as common in streets in the big cities anymore, you'll find it more in smaller towns, but there are many large banquet halls in Taipei. However, I did see a street banquet being set up in front of a temple in Danshui, which is in a very toursity area just north of Taipei.
Yeah, the TW fest is always pretty disappointing and I agree, the Richmond Night Market has a better feel. The stands serve "traditional TW snack dishes" (whether or not good, I don't know), and mianxian, which I have not seen served in the 604.
ReplyDeleteI was hoping there would be pig blood cakes w/peanuts all grrr!
@Crispy
ReplyDeleteAs what Buddha Boy said, 流水席, or continuous banquet, is not seen often in the urban cities nowadays, mainly because of the time and hassle. What Buddha Boy saw at Danshui is actually the 辦桌, or street catering.
The most recent "continuous banquet" I heard was in Kaohshiung (a large city in southern Taiwan), which was a celebration for Mid-Autumn Festival 中秋節. This banquet attracted 2000+ people, and each person only had to pay $50NT, which was approximately $1.67CAD. CHEAP!!!
In suburbs or rural towns, "continuous banquets" do take places for special occasions such as weddings, baby's one month, funerals or special religious rituals. I recalled reading the news years ago where one village held a religious celebration and had a "continuous banquet" for 168 hours (7 days)!!!
@Kim
ReplyDelete"Good for people in general; not those who have higher expectations..." I admit, my expectations were too high...hahahahahahaha!!! Me the beyotch! :p
@Gloria
I was hoping for 豬血糕 too!!! Hahaha! The selections were so disappointing. It's a disgrace and an embarrassment to call it "TaiwanFest"...