Where did the fried chicken leg in Taiwan go when I was young?
In the hearts of many Chinese netizens, the taste buds are wistfully reminiscing about their childhood when fried chicken legs were a staple snack, especially among school-going children. This nostalgic conversation started on Weibo - China's version of Twitter, where users share and discuss online content using short messages or posts.
10 October 2023
The debate began with a user posting, "Where did the fried chicken leg in Taiwan go when I was young?" They lamented about the lack of boneless chicken strips that tasted like the super delicious fried chicken legs their parents used to bring back from school runs. Other users chimed in with similar experiences and shared their own memories, stating that those small bags of fried chicken legs cost just 2 yuan each and were highly coveted snacks at primary schools' entrances.
As the conversation continued, another user mentioned Guanghui Xiangxiang chicken, a popular dish in Taipei known for its delicious taste. They posed the question, "Who remembers Guanghui Xiangxiang chicken?" Many replied that they too had tried it and remembered its unique flavor. However, they also acknowledged that even though the food still exists, the quality has diminished over time.
A few users expressed their discomfort at feeling left out due to not having experienced these snacks during their childhood. They lamented about how the foods they ate when they were young are no longer available or if they do exist, they are of substandard quality and lack the same taste as earlier. One user mentioned his favorite ice cream in summer which cost just a penny per bag but was forgotten by people around him.
The nostalgia for their childhood snacks became so intense that users started sharing stories about their local food vendors, like the "meat skewer king" at No. 7 Middle School and the "chicken drilles next door" when buying stir-fried noodles at night. These vivid descriptions of small, roadside vendors serving up tasty snacks brought back memories of a simpler time when such food was a regular part of their everyday lives.
While the conversation on Weibo is filled with nostalgia and longing for the past, it also highlights how times have changed. Many users expressed concern that the convenience and affordability of such snacks are no longer available or have been replaced by lesser quality options. The conversation on social media serves as a reminder of the evolving food culture in China and how it impacts people's relationship with their childhood memories and the food they grow up eating.
This nostalgic conversation is just another example of how Weibo has become a platform for Chinese netizens to share and discuss their personal experiences, creating a sense of community among users who share similar interests. It also serves as a reminder that while times change and tastes evolve, our memories and the power of nostalgia remain constant.