Hey, I’m Yuka. I’m both Chinese and Japanese, and have been living in Beijing for about 12-years. I love going out with my friends, traveling, reading, and roaming around the city. I have a little brother and a 7-year-old toy poodle. I used to call him Coco but since I got back from the Maldives this summer, I’ve been calling him my Maldivian Fish Curry. You have no idea how mesmerizing it was to have fish curry for breakfast every morning…
How has living in Beijing better prepared you for the future?
People here are very open to learning about foreign languages and cultures, so it has made me become more curious about things, people, and their stories.
Tell us your most helpful study tip.
Absorb as much knowledge as you can during the class!
What your favorite place to shop?
Brandy Melville, but they don’t operate in Beijing. Hollister and Bershka are my favorite substitutes.
What’s your favorite place to hang out with friends in Beijing?
Cliché, but Sanlitun.
Where do you go to veg out?
Yánjǐyòu (言几又)- a chill book store in the Grand Summit at Liangmaqiao with comfy furniture.
What advice do you have to newcomers just arriving to Beijing?
Be extra careful when crossing the street; drivers here can be a little savage.
Beijing breakfast: baozi or jianbing, and why?
Definitely a baozi for me! I love how the meat inside is salty while the skin has a slightly sweet aftertaste.
What’s your favorite book?
Pride and Prejudice
Where’s the most ideal place to be on a very polluted Beijing day?
Either my sofa or a bookstore.
What app could you not live without?
Shǒuqì Yuēchē (首汽约车)-a wonderful uber service.
This article appeared in the beijingkids July-August 2019 Teen Takeover issue
Photo: Kipp Whittaker
