Many young Chinese people struggle to cook for themselves-Young People

Some people don’t own pots and pans, while others love ordering online. Now they are learning to cook and have a lot of trouble in the kitchen. Many young people appreciate the value of fresh food and cooking at home.

As Shanghai continues to prolong COVID-19 prevention measures, many young people have difficulties, they don’t know how to cook. Those who once favored convenient takeout and online delivery are struggling with home-cooked meals, perhaps for the first time in their lives.

Sixth Tone had a conversation with four people about how they cook at home.

Yi Yu – 25 years old, works as a media editor

I didn’t know how to cook before. I only use the kitchen to store drinks. I ate instant noodles during the first 14 days of the lockdown – after that, I felt nauseous whenever I saw packages of noodles. I even swapped out different types of instant noodles with my neighbors.

It was an unhealthy diet and I finally decided to cook. At first, I couldn’t even distinguish the vegetables and how to cook them. I study online, and my mom sends me cooking tutorials every day.

I burned frozen dumplings when frying them for the first time. Then I tried sautéing the vegetables but too much salt.

Yi Yu grows his own vegetables in bottles and burns some frozen food.

After this COVID-19 wave, I will continue to improve my cooking skills, stock up and grow some vegetables at home. You never know how long you will be at home.

Sam – 30 years old, office worker

In the early days of the blockade, I just ate whatever snacks I had, like yogurt.

I don’t mind any cookware. I don’t think the situation will get so bad that I need those.

So I just picked up a few things at the grocery stores – carrots, cucumbers, yoghurt and bread… and ordered them online 4 days before the lockdown started. But no one came to deliver.

Many people buy bags of vegetables in a supermarket in Hangzhou. Photo: Handout

In my early days, I lived on raw vegetables, yogurt, fruit, crackers and cereals. Three days later, the host gave me a small pot and a spoon to stir the food. But I still don’t have any cooking oil, seasoning, seasoning or any kind of sauce.

I cook but the food is burnt and has no taste. So sad. The food is like nothing else. The only things I can use to flavor any of my dishes are beer and red wine.

I know how to cook, but for almost a year and a half in China, I’ve never cooked, but always eat out.

For many, this is perhaps the first time in their lives that they have to worry about not having enough food. People are not used to this type of stress.

Being at home for a long time is already stressful, but stress about food makes it worse. I worked remotely during this period. I’m trying to organize things better and not be so stressed out by work.

I still have a few boxes of cereal, 2 packets of instant noodles, 1 cabbage, half a carrot, 1 cucumber, and some vegetables left, enough food for 2 more days.

Zhang Zhongyun – 24, bank teller

I rent a commercial apartment and live alone. I started working from home on April 1st.

I don’t have a stove, so I cook with an electric cooker. Before that I usually ordered takeaway or ate at the company canteen.

The meals I cook are average in taste, and I don’t have many ingredients. I usually eat the same food for several days in a row. I’m not very motivated to get out of bed in the morning.

During the blockade, I always panic whether I have enough stock or not. Even when there is enough food, still worry about their expiration date. When you run out of food, you are confused about what to eat and how to get it back.

I have enough food for a week including dumplings, instant noodles, beef patties, and some vegetables.

When I lived with 2 roommates in 2020, cooking was fun, we enjoyed cooking and talking. Now cooking is a necessity. I have to cook or I will starve.

I will not continue cooking after the epidemic is under control. Coming home from work very tired and not in the mood to cook.

Wang Nan – 30, software developer

During the first week of the blockade since April 1, I ate instant noodles every day. I’m running out of 10 packs of noodles in stock, so I have to get hands on with the only ingredients left. I have sausages, rice and some vegetables distributed by the neighborhood, which can last about 1 week.

Wang Nan had a few snacks left over, such as instant noodles. Also, he sauteed cabbage with onions.

I find instant noodles delicious. I also take 1 multivitamin a day to supplement.

Thought the blockade order would be lifted soon so I didn’t prepare much food. At that time I didn’t care what to eat. I thought at least I wouldn’t starve.

Now I’m worried. I find ways to buy whatever is available, just in case the blockade continues to drag on.

The last time I cooked was in 2015 when I worked in Shenzhen and had a big kitchen. After that I usually only cook once or twice a week.

However, cooking is a hassle. I usually build on what I’ve learned and only cook when I have to.

Time is very precious to me. I usually work from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and overtime until about 9 p.m., once or twice a week. I would rather spend my time solving work problems than cooking.

Being at home for so long has reminded me of the importance of stocking up on a few extra boxes of instant noodles for emergencies.