February 28, 2006

The Mysteries of Condiments


I ate lunch yesterday at a Vietnamese restaurant that I frequent maybe once a week. I order the same thing every time - the #25 with a side order of crab rangoon. The waitress knows my order and tells it to the cook before I'm even seated.

When she brings the crab rangoon out she always brings Ketchup and Mustard. I've never used these condiments before with my crab rangoon. I always use the more traditional sauces and the delicious, sinus-clearing sriracha sauce.

Why does she brings these condiments with the crab rangoon? If she knows my order, she must know that I never use these. Is there a cultural disconnect? Am I missing out on the wonderful combo of crab and mustard?