Hunched over a bitter + savory hotpot in Nanning, China was both dizzying and delicious. A tour-de-force of sinus-clearing, palate-disorienting goodness.

Boiling roiling fungus and grasses (lemon, bamboo, some things entirely new)

A wordless meal, punctuated by satisfied sighs and appreciative noises

Plates of piled high greens. Mystery broth, mystery guests.

The live entertainment: torchlit, rhythmic caterwauling over a PA