All things old China - books, anecdotes, stories, podcasts, factoids & ramblings from the author Paul French

Fresh Strawberries and Brussel Sprouts in Shanghai

Posted: July 16th, 2009 | 2 Comments »

American Veg Store - 1941I’ve noticed that a Tesco Local store is about to open around the corner from my house in Shanghai on Dingxi Lu. What with a Starbucks round the other corner Changning District feels more like Camden Town these days than China! Still it’s going to be a 24 hour store which suits my routine and maybe they’ll have a good selection of vegetables.

Unfortunately I can’t go and shop at the American Vegetables Store on Bubbling Well Road which was there and advertising in 1941. Fresh strawberries and brussel sprouts sound good and I’d love a kipper, I haven’t had one for years! I don’t think I’ve ever eaten a pumeloe and wouldn’t know one if I saw one quite honestly.

This ad ran in the North-China Daily News in the summer of 1941


2 Comments on “Fresh Strawberries and Brussel Sprouts in Shanghai”

  1. 1 Paul said at 1:17 am on July 18th, 2009:

    I think that it’s more usually spelled “pomelo” today–large grapefruit, without the severe astringency; very frequent in SE Asian cuisine.

  2. 2 Paul French said at 1:43 am on July 18th, 2009:

    cheers – I’ll go and buy one this weekend and find out what it is exactly


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