This man and his fascinating contraption has been hanging around Nanchang Lu for a few weeks. When I first saw him I couldn’t work out what was happening. There was clearly something in the black cast iron oven being turned quickly over the fire but it wasn’t popcorn. Then after a few minutes he got a large ‘wind sock’ type of contraption and opened the over door and there was an almighty explosion and swollen rice flew out of the oven into the sack. The man was temporarily lost in a cloud of smoke. It was all very exciting. People gathered around to make their purchase and many more stood around to watch.
Last week he was actually in my own community with his machine with a small group of children hanging around waiting for the explosion. If you’re wondering – yes I did try some of the exploded rice but it stuck to the roof of my mouth. I think it must be an acquired taste!