Cuisine & Culture the Chinese Family Way
It is not every day you get to step into a First Class Lounge! Luckily for us, my sister is a Solitaire PPS Club member and she was allowed to bring a guest. We were so fortunate to be flying with her and her girlfriend to Hong Kong and enjoying all the privileges that came with it.
When I think of Hong Kong, the first thing that pops into my mind is Cha Chaan Tengs (local Hong Kong cafés). Back in my childhood, my sisters and I would binge-watch Hong Kong dramas, always drooling over the dim sum scenes and those cozy café settings.
Hong Kong is truly a foodie’s paradise. From roast goose and wonton noodles to claypot rice and beyond, the city serves up some of the best comfort food in the world. On top of that, it’s also home to countless Michelin-starred restaurants and Bib Gourmand eateries.
It’s been almost 30 years since I last set foot in Indonesia. The last time was way back in 1996, when three of my secondary school friends and I went on a graduation trip to Bali before starting polytechnic. Fast forward to today, and this time, I’m bringing my children along for a short getaway to Batam — one of the many Indonesian islands I had yet to explore.
On Day 3 of our trip, we set out to explore some of Hong Kong Island’s most iconic attractions. And honestly, if you’re visiting Hong Kong, you simply can’t miss the Central–Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System — it’s one of those “only in Hong Kong” experiences!
In an earlier post, I mentioned that Hong Kong is made up of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories. Lantau Island, the largest of them all, is part of the New Territories and is conveniently close to Hong Kong International Airport and Disneyland.
Earlier this month, we went on a family trip to Hong Kong. For my husband, it was a homecoming of sorts — his mum was born there, and the last time he visited, he was only nine years old. Needless to say, the city has transformed dramatically since then. Luckily, we had his mum and my sisters as our guides, sharing local tips like getting an Octopus card for transport and always keeping some cash handy.
If you head to any Chinese supermarket, you’re likely to find a range of different flavoured mochi in the fridge section. I love plain mochi without any filling, especially in pandan flavour. I tend not to buy the mochi with red bean paste or green bean (mung bean) paste or with the skin coated in coconut flakes.
Gyoza The Ultimate Dumpling Cookbook by Paradise Yamamoto is a simple and easy to learn dumpling making book for all beginners! His step-by-step instructions with photos and tips are so useful and his dumplings are surprisingly easy to make once you learn a few basic techniques! There is no head scratching nor complicated techniques to follow. I also love that he is so creative with his recipes that will suit the western younger generation’s taste buds, please picky eaters and gyoza connoisseurs alike!
Chinese food has often been a staple of fantastic takeaway and brilliant restaurant dining throughout the UK. While this wasn’t always the case we have now embraced Chinese food as part of our own and it is one of the most popular meal choices around. With that being said, here is where you can get the very best Chinese food in the UK.
