Harbin's Generous Portions: A Debate on Chinese Food Culture
"小土豆说哈尔滨菜量太大每天都吃撑" Trends Online as Netizens Discuss Food Portions in China

5 January 2024
Recently, a series of tweets from Chinese social media platform Weibo have been trending with the hashtag "小土豆说哈尔滨菜量太大每天都吃撑" (#小土豆说哈尔滨菜量太大每天都吃撑#). These tweets are centered around the topic of food portions in China, with a particular focus on the meals served in the city of Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang province.
The initial tweet, posted by a Weibo user, describes their experience of dining in Harbin. They shared a story of dining with a group of seven people and being served a large portion of food. Despite the individuals feeling full, more food arrived, leaving them to comment that "the portion size is far too large, we have to eat until we are extremely full every day." This tweet sparked a discussion among Weibo users about meal portions in China and whether they really are as large as the description.
In response to the tweet, several Weibo users shared their own opinions and experiences. For example, one user expressed their dissatisfaction with the phrase "小土豆" used to describe tourism-focused marketing campaigns for the city. They argued that the phrase was "overused" and no longer held any appeal. Another user agreed, stating that they found the term "小土豆" to be "disgusting" and criticized the "cutesied" nature of the marketing campaign.
Other users shared their positive experiences with food in Harbin and other parts of China. A user shared their enjoyment of traditional Northeastern dishes, such as "锅包肉" (fried pork with a sweet and sour sauce) and "大拉皮儿" (cold noodle salad). They praised the generous portion sizes and the delicious taste, further fueling the discussion on the meals served in Harbin.
A separate user commented on differences in portion sizes in different cities in China, stating that "哈尔滨的菜量真的很大" (Harbin's portion sizes are really large) and inquiring whether the same trend could be observed in other cities across the country. Another user expressed their disbelief at the cost of meals in Harbin, stating that it was hard to believe that one could be "eaten out" for 30 RMB (approximately $4.50 USD).
The conversation then shifted towards the connection between food and cultural identity, with users discussing the significance of the cuisine in Harbin and other parts of China. One user pointed out that the people's love for Harbin and other cities in China was not only due to the food, but also the "人情味" (warmth of humanity) and "人间烟火气" (the atmosphere of human life) that these cities represent.
Another user, however, expressed their frustration with the use of the term "小土豆" and its association with Harbin, stating that it was "enough" and criticizing those who continued to use the phrase. Other users followed suit, with some saying that they didn't find the term "小土豆" particularly cute.
Despite the backlash against the phrase "小土豆", others continued to express their longing to visit Harbin and experience the grand portion sizes for themselves. Many stated their intention to visit the city to try the authentic Chinese cuisine and experience the local culture.
In summary, the "小土豆说哈尔滨菜量太大每天都吃撑" hashtag has sparked a lively discussion among Weibo users about food portion sizes in China, particularly in Harbin. Some users expressed their admiration for the generous portions of food, while others criticized the use of the term "小土豆" in describing Harbin's tourism marketing campaigns. This conversation highlights the importance of food in shaping a city's identity and draws attention to the cultural differences between different regions of China.