Recent mentions of children’s menus and children-friendly meals on other threads have got me thinking. I know that this concept is not universal - kid’s menus I mean. Maybe not thinking, either. I’m now wondering what the kids’ menus situation is around the world.
I don’t recall ever seeing a kids’ menu in Asia although they may may well exist some places. I haven’t particularly been looking for them (until now). I certainly haven’t seen one ever in mainland China or Vietnam, the two countries I’ve spent most time in in the last three decades. Don’t recall any in India or Thailand. Hong Kong has them, but then it is very westernised.
It has been suggested on the internet that this is because dining out in China is a communal event with the food served family style and shared. While this is true to an extent, it isn’t the whole picture. Many restaurants do not serve food this way and they don’t have kids’ menus either. My younger friends with children have never heard of the concept.
Similarly, little if any provision is made for child-friendly meals at home. Children eat what their parents eat – even in the chilli heavy parts of China such as Hunan and Sichuan, etc. Restaurants may be willing to reduce portion size but I doubt many parents would even think to ask. The bland, clichéd, patronising choices on so many kids’ menus* wouldn’t wash here. Do we spoil or kids too much in the west? That could explain the number of fussy eaters (which are not found nearly so much here – I’ve only ever heard of one among friends). Also, childhood allergies are not so common here.
When my kids were growing up in London (a long time ago – they are in their early fifties now), there were no kid’s menus and I certainly didn’t prepare separate ‘friendly’ dishes for them. They are now still both very adventurous eaters as are my grand-children. Not sure about the great-grand-ones. They are only just-turned-3-year-old twins whom I've never met.
So, we have members here from around the world and we have members who travel widely. I’d love to know your experience and thoughts in different places. And what foods are offered if any.
* eg Macaroni and Cheese, Bangers and Mash, Meatball Pasta with Tomato Sauce. Burger and Chips from Ramsay Plane Food restaurant, London Heathrow Airport.
