I love Chinese food. I actually spent the summer in China two years ago to teach English. So I know a thing or two about China. And by a thing or two, I mean everything.

No, I'm kidding. Living in China for two months in no way means I know everything about Chinese culture — as you can tell from my attempt to fit in by wearing workout clothes and trying to fight a statue. But I did learn a lot about Chinese food, specifically food from the Jiangsu region where I lived. And long after I forget how to speak Chinese (even though I've already forgotten a majority of what I knew 2 years ago), I will remember the goodness that is Chinese food.

This is American Chinese food. And it's delicious. This is actually what I ate for lunch today, which is what gave me inspiration for this article. But if American Chinese food is all you've ever had, you're missing out. Because though Chinese food from America is delicious, Chinese food from China is an experience.

But before I can describe the experience, I need to give a little background about Chinese culture and it's differences to American. America is a individualistic society, whereas China is a collectivist society. The most important differences, for the purpose of this article is that collective societies value rights of the collective over the individuals and working together is the norm, instead of being encouraged to do things on their own. And that is reflected in the way the Chinese approach eating meals.

So I'm going to walk you through a typical meal at a sit-down restaurant in China. Imagine that you're in China and you are about to head into a sit-down restaurant with a group of friends. Because, as I said, it's an experience.

Unless you read Chinese, you might not be able to read the menu. So you get a little anxious when the Chinese or the American who (thinks they can) read Chinese orders for you. And the waiter brings a pot of hot water (or tea, either way it's going to be hot), and it gets passed around while the waiter passes around little plates and chopsticks. And then the food comes. And your mouth starts to water.

Wait what?! The food is served on a spinning clear table in the center of the room, and as it spins around everyone pulls out their chopsticks and grabs what they can while the tray spins. Y'all- everything is up for grabs. You know how when you order a meal in America and your brother gets something that looks even better, and now all you want is their meal? This isn't a problem in China. You are welcome to eat whatever's on the table, just know that the best foods usually go first. Speaking of best foods, here are a few of my favorites:

Kung Pao Chicken

Jiaozi (Dumplings)

Note-these are better when you make them yourself

Roasted Cauliflower

Inside-Out Fish (there's a better name for it in Chinese)

And oh so much more. And there are many options for dessert as well. Like green tea cakes.

Or there's always plenty of fruit and veggies too!

And for those basic Americans like myself and my teammates, there's always...

So just go to China and eat some good food on a spinning table. And then get some Starbucks.