Vietnam Corner

Hong Kong food is a melting pot of different cultures and cuisines. It is mainly influenced by Cantonese cuisine and food from other Chinese regions, especially Teochew, Hakka and Hokkien. As the island has a long history of being an international place of business, there are influences from Japanese, Korean, Southeast Asian, Malaysian and western cuisines. There is also a strong British element to menus, from when Hong Kong was under British rule. Hong Kong is famous for food, and in just this one big city, food enthusiasts can indulge in all kinds of authentic cuisines from around the world. From street food to exclusive restaurants, Hong Kong has an unlimited variety of food for all tastes and class. Dishes are influenced by Cantonese cuisine, which is traditionally created so flavours of a dish are well-balanced and not greasy. Spices are also used moderately to avoid overwhelming the flavours of the main ingredients of the dish. Besides pork, beef and chicken, Cantonese food uses almost all edible meats, including offal, chicken feet, duck’s tongue, frog legs, snake and snail. Hong Kong is renowned for its yum cha (dim sum), wonton soup, roast meats, char siu and noodles.

Vietnamese cuisine features a combination of five fundamental tastes, with each dish encompassing a distinctive flavour that reflects one or more of these elements. The cuisine also relies on a balance of salty, sweet, sour and spicy flavours. Common ingredients include fish sauce, shrimp paste, soy sauce, rice, fresh herbs, fruit and vegetables. Vietnamese recipes use lemongrass, ginger, mint, Vietnamese mint, coriander, Saigon cinnamon, bird’s eye chili, lime, and Thai basil leaves. Traditional Vietnamese cooking is admired for its fresh ingredients, minimal use of dairy and oil, complementary textures, and reliance on herbs and vegetables. With the balance between fresh herbs and meats and a selective use of spices to reach a fine taste, Vietnamese food is considered one of the healthiest cuisines in the world.