You people worry too much. You're not going to get anywhere near to 'assimiliating' with this attitude, so just forget it.

no, assimilation is not necessary. just eat whatever you like.

also, a small oven is only 200 rmb. i don't know how anybody survives without one.

There is no possible way for you to assimilate into China completely without a series of facial operations, becoming a Chinese citizen (virtually impossible for a foreigner) and completely learning the culture that a person of your age is supposed to know.

Why people would try to deny who they are, where they come from and what they traditionally eat is beyond me.

What percentage assimilated are you Alien?

You would be surprised what kind of stuff you can cook using a toaster oven. If you don't already own one, I recommend getting one that is a decent size. Probably something in the 40L range would be good. If you are careful you can get them for about 400RMB and from what I can tell work just the same as a conventional oven. I have a tiny 15L oven, and even with that I can get away with cooking cake, cabbage rolls and pizza...and I believe I even successfully made shephard's pie once or twice. The reason I suggest a larger model is so you have more clearance from the coils, the ability to adjust the rack height and less heat loss when opening the door.

@Blobbles: Note that I put 'assimilating' in ' ' - I don't think the word is appropriate, and I think what you say about assimilation in China is correct. My guess is that the word 'adaption' is more or less what the writer meant - one can adapt, although I won't argue that 100% adaption is possible either - I never completely adapted to the place where I grew up. I don't think it's a good idea to deny who one is, where one comes from or what one eats, whether it's traditional to where they come from or not - I don't. However, people do change, and who one is changes, to varying degrees, and nobody has to be a slave to tradition.

Chinese, Thai, Indian, Italian, Vietnamese... periodic Bangkok trips to satisfy those Middle Eastern urges. You can probably get supplies for Indonesian on Taobao... mmm... peanut sauce...

An ovens definitely vital if you thinking of doing much western food, was the first thing I wanted when modeling my apartment, also cooked our most important item in it when home baked our our 3 tier wedding cake :)
Have to say I'm pretty lucky when it comes to eating though, most of the time me and the wife usually go to her parents for dinner where her dad is a great and varied cook of chinese and also by now knows I like some potato thrown in with a dish ;)
Main thing I like to cook at home is simple like a steak cheese sandwich, hmmm think I need go do one now lol

there is no filet mignon here, the owners of the restaurants have never eaten real good western food, they think that macdonald, KFC is nice.. that is why there is also no real bread here. it is like the Chinese restaurants in my country, not related to real Chinese food.

most people cannot afford filet mignon.

every 27 portions of filet, you should kill 2 huge animals. Even Planet cannot afford filet on menus.