Metro is out of the bags of unflavoured popping corn. Has anybody seen any any where else. I asked at the local market, but the laoban said their corn was not popping corn. Or did she not know?

Paul's on Wenhua Xiang and the import shop in Beishiqu have small bags.
I got a bag from Metro last week. Iirc, it said sweet corn kernels. I believe Chinese use a different kind of kernel or popping method. The popcorn here looks more uniform on the outside.

You can use regular dried corn kernels. You get a bigger proprtion that don't pop but the corn is only a fraction of the price. Available at most markets and food stores.

The bag I got was a big one (metro's brand) of regular kernels, not the ones specifically made for microwave.

The method that works best for me to get the fewest unpopped kernels is in a wok with a bit of oil (coconut works best). I fire the stove on high and drop three kernels. After the third one pops, I put in the rest (all kernels touching the bottom), lift the wok for 10-15 seconds and put it back down. Once done, there are usually only 3-5 unpopped kernels

Carrefour on Nanpingjie walking street also has popping corn next to the beans and rice, turn right as soon as you get up the escalators to the upper floor!

I've seen street vendors with the large soot black iron cannon barrels make fresh nonflavored popcorn. When they pry off the lid, it sounds like a cannon went off. They aren't too coomon though.

popcorn in the local markets works great, but be careful of quality, there are sometimes little "bugs' mixed in! I make my popcorn in a heavy wok, use a little sunflower oil. Be sure to have a lid, and shake it constantly, so it doesn't burn; it comes out great!

Thanks, everyone. I rather suspected tha all corn popped but also believed that popping corn was a special type of corn. Enjoy the results of this debate while watching Game of Thrones on Monday night at Slice of Heavens movie theatre.