Passengers on a recent China Eastern Airlines flight got quite the surprise when they discovered an unusual item on the in-flight menu – “dog food.” This unexpected addition raised eyebrows and sparked a flurry of online discussions.
The incident occurred in the Business Class section of the flight to an undisclosed destination, leaving diners both puzzled and intrigued by this culinary oddity. A passenger named Conrad Wu captured a photo of the menu, which was subsequently shared on social media platforms like Facebook. The menu showcased the peculiar choice alongside more conventional options like “vanilla shrimp” and “smoked pepper beef.” The accompanying image displayed slices of cured meat beautifully arranged over a bed of vegetables.
Before you begin to imagine passengers dining on Kibbles & Bits, it’s important to note that most observers quickly dismissed the idea of actual dog food being served. Instead, they speculated that a translation error was responsible for this culinary mishap. As one Redditor humorously put it, “Most likely the translation has gone wrong. Besides, how bad could dog food be?”
Some even lightened the situation further by suggesting that economy class passengers might receive a different kind of “domestic dog food.” One passionate traveler defended the airline, sharing their positive experience with China Eastern Airlines and praising both the flight crew and the food.
This incident adds to the list of comical English translation mishaps, often referred to as “Chinglish,” that have amused diners on Chinese menus over the years. Memorable examples include dishes like “roasted husband,” the perplexing “wang had to burn” hotpot, and the infamous “f—k the duck until exploded.”
It’s worth noting that such translation blunders are not exclusive to Chinese menus. In a somewhat similar vein, Facebook had to issue an apology in 2020 when a “technical issue” led to Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s name being translated as “Mr. S–thole” from Burmese to English on the platform.
While this culinary tale may raise eyebrows and bring chuckles, it serves as a reminder of the quirky surprises one can encounter while traveling. It proves that the world of aviation is always full of unexpected adventures.
