After finishing his PhD in soil management and crop production in China, a Chinese guy relocated to Belgium. Now he makes a living selling spicy pea noodles from Chongqing.
A Chinese PhD finds herself selling noodles in Belgium after all the other options she tried were turned down.
A Chinese PhD finds herself selling noodles in Belgium after all the other options she tried were turned down.
Pea noodles in a spicy Chongqing style, served in a bowl. Pixabay provided the illustration image.
Ding, a 37-year-old researcher from Jiangsu province, reportedly wrote 30 research papers while pursuing his doctorate, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
After meeting at university, Ding and Wang moved to Belgium in 2015, where they had their first child. When Ding and Wang were unable to find steady work in the field of research, they decided to start their own street food business.
Spicy pea noodles, a delicacy from Wang’s native Chongqing, started making its way into Belgian marketplaces in May. A delicious pork sauce with a strong salty-spicy flavor complements the chewy noodles and delicate peas in this meal.
The meal was a staple in Wang’s childhood, and she had a lifelong ambition to open her own stand, she told reporters.
The stand is open for business two times a week, and the price of a bowl of noodles can be anywhere from 7 to 9 euros (about $8 to $11), depending on the variety. Rumor has it that the couple makes over 1,000 euros on their busiest days.
The Star reports that while Ding isn’t working at the stall, he’s looking for other work.
“Running a stall is no different from research; it is simply about supporting our family,” he added.
Video of the stall that the couple posted to social media has gone popular. “These are the best Chinese noodles I have ever had,” an elderly diner exclaims after a few clumsy attempts with chopsticks in one film.
A regular voiced their surprise, saying, “I never knew peas could taste this good.”
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