Love those Piggies

     We generally don't have much regard for pigs in the U.S.  Think of all the expressions using pig as a pejorative; pigging out readily comes to mind during these waning days of the Christmas season.  American advertisers would probably not use a pig to help sell a product, except to a pig farmer.  The Chinese, on the other hand, hold pigs in high esteem.  This animal has been and is still an important food in China, even though many Chinese no longer rely on pork and pork fat as a dense energy source needed for survival.  Pigs are a symbol of good fortune to the Chinese.

This is a banner advertising pork in the local RenRenLe grocery store.  I can't imagine several large, live pigs pictured right next to a plate of prepared pork in an American grocery store ad.  But those nice plump pigs represent prosperity and happiness to Chinese people.  At least to the 98% who are not Muslim.

Last night was a cheap date night for Terry and me at a noodle chain restaurant a 25-minute walk from our apartment.   Here's their cute piggy icon on the placemat.  The characters on its apron say "rice noodles".  The yesteryear-themed Porky's Drive-In on University Av. in St. Paul is the only eating establishment at home I can think of that uses a pig to advertise.

Our dinner was similar to what's pictured at left.  We each had a bowl of noodles in a flavorful broth with lots of mushrooms and a few other similar tasty vegetables I couldn't identify, lettuce (!), a few thin slices of lean roast pork, a few peanuts, and garnished with a crispy, paper-thin sheet of egg and some kimchi-like pickled cabbage matchsticks.  Delicious.  24 RMB for two bowls.  That's about $3.60.

If you're lucky a Minnesota branch of the rice noodle piggy restaurant will open soon and bring good fortune and good food your way.