Spice Up Your Life: Avocado Drum Puts a South-of-the-Border Spin on the Beloved Jianbing
People of the world! Every boy and every girl: In the lead up to our second annual Hot & Spicy Festival on Apr 20-21, we’re Spicing Up Our Lives with a few of the vendors to see what searing treats they'll be doling out at the rapidly approaching fine spring weekend. This time: A Kang owner and jianbing maker at Avocado Drum.
Ever since Avocado Drum opened near Gulou nightclub Dada, many a wee hour clubgoer has satisfied their munchies with owner A Kang's avocado and cheese-laden take on China's favorite street snack. Aside from paying homage to his Chinese roots with his creative takes on the universally loved jianbing, Kang also satisfies his affinity for Mexican grub with chicken tacos and burritos. More recently, he opened a second location next to Arcade by Hatchery in 5Lmeet.
Read: Avocado Drum Offers a Guacamole-Filled Interpretation of Jianbing on Gulou Dongdajie
Below, A Kang tells us about his shared love of Mexican and Chinese food, and how he revels in the schadenfreude that our Hot & Spicy Festival's Hot Chili Pepper Eating Contest evokes (sign up to take part in that scorching battle here).
What aspect of this year’s Hot & Spicy Festival are you looking forward to the most?
I really enjoyed going last year, and can’t wait to see the Hot Chili Pepper Eating Contest. It is, of course, the most exciting part of the festival. I like to see how red everyone’s face gets!
Do you have any tips for eating spicy peppers that are useful for this game?
Eat them at a leisurely pace.
What are the most important elements needed to make delicious spicy food?
A wide range of peppers, and a spicy personality.
What spicy food will you bring to our festival?
We will be making cheese jianbing. It is an excellent fusion food because it has hot Mexican salsa in its recipe.
What kind of beverage in your menu is best for spicy food?
Avocado yogurt, which soothes the stomach of its spicy wounds.
When did you start to like spicy food?
I was born to eat anything with hot peppers.
Which country in the world do you think is the best for spicy food?
Mexico and China. Mexico is the birthplace of peppers, and Chinese peppers are very diverse.
What is the hottest thing you have ever eaten?
I have tasted the Mexican chili ice cream, which is considered by many to be the spiciest dessert. If you plan to try it, I warn you: be prepared to feel the burn.
List three things you are most looking forward to at this year's hot festival.
Hot songs and dancing, hot girls, and spicy food.
READ: Early Bird Tix Now on Sale for Hot & Spicy II April 20 & 21
Photo: Uni You
