YQB Jour 24 - Chinese food in Québec?!

With its strong French heritage, it's not surprising that people in Québec pays a lot of attention to food. My stay here has been a gastronomical ecstasy. However, I will not describe the two to three hours dinners I've had most nights, nor the many bread, pastries, cheeses, and wines I've indulged in. All that you can get in France. Instead, I will focus on a few unique Québécois dishes.

There are a few dishes in Québec that has the word 'Chinese' in them. They are not authentic Chinese food, nor do they incorporate a lot of Chinese ingredients. Rather, from what I've been told, they were food commonly eaten by the Chinese railroad workers during the early 20th century. And those names stuck in Québec.

Chinese Pate - In Québec, it's called 'pâté chinois'. In the rest of the world, it's called 'Shepherd's Pie'.

Chinese Noodles - Macaroni, vegetables, meat, and soy sauce somehow make this western food take on a Chinese name.


Poutine - This is an authentic Québécois food. French fries, gravy, and cheddar cheese curd. If you had it for lunch, you can skip dinner, and probably breakfast the next day. There's enough calories in one serving to fuel an athlete for a World Cup final game, overtime, and a few headbutts.