Eating and Drinking, Hong Kong

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Im used to seeing different kinds of street foods. In Hong Kong, it means grilled or fried squid, century egg, smelly tofu, some dimsums and lot to choose from. A quick fix (not to mention cheap) after all those shopping in Fa Yuen Street or Ladies Market.

Just observe what the locals do in sterilizing the utensils before pouring tea and eating. Even then, there are variations.

We saw 1 lady pour tea into a plastic bowl and gingerly places the cups, spoons, chopstick into the hot tea to wash it. These are taken out and tea (from the teapot) is then poured into the tea cup. Don't understand the rational behind it though.

In most instances, just pour the hot water (provided in a separate tea pot) to do the "washing" would be the most adopted local practices.

1. Avoid turning the fish over during the meal - This is a cultural superstition and turning the fish symbolizes capsizing the boat, which brings calamity and bad luck to family life and business.

2. Avoid using the bowl one eats from for discarded bones. Instead place the bones on the side-plate provided.

3. If someone is serving you food with their chopsticks or spoon, do not accept it with chopsticks. The correct way is to hold out a bowl or plate to accept it.

4. Avoid touching the food morsels with chopsticks one eats from. Use the serving spoon provided and precise on the bit to be picked.

5. If someone is picking from the table, avoid going over or under other people's arm. It is considered bad manners and colloquially termed 'flying the elephant chess piece across the river' - An illegal move in Chinese chess!

6. When tea is poured into their cup, tapping the table surface gently with two/three fingers is a gesture of acknowledgement to say thank you. - Some say two fingers, some say three fingers it depends who you talk to.

Yum cha literally means drink tea. This is a unique custom for the Cantonese ppl. For most people who are not serious tea lovers, it really is a family (or friends) gathering in a restaurant, not only for the tea, but for the dim sum, and more importantly, a chance to chat with others.

Dim sum may come on plates or in round bamboo baskets (for steamed food), with food such as shrimp dumplings, steamed beef balls, steamed bbq buns, spring rolls.... Each dish usually has 3-4 of the same item and is placed in the center of table to share.

Mostly all Cantonese restaurants offer yum cha in the morning and early afternoon hours.

To avoid the crowds and lineups into the restaurant, try to go during weekday mornings.

As far as I've observed, most resturants would offer a cuppa tea (brown in colour) first to customers. Don't not drink this as this is meant for washing/rinsing the cultery sets prior eating.

It's a common thing to do at any eating places.

Tea drinking is a serious business in both Hong Kong and the Chinese culture.

A Tang Dynasty scholar who devised the first definitive treatise on tea making had initiated this tradition, which began almost 1,200 years ago.

Today, this culture remains a thriving tradition. Ardent tea enthusiasts often have their own special tea pots, which is commonly made of clay, when they go for their tea drinking sessions. It is said that the smaller the teapot, the better the tea.

The smell of the tea is instilled in the pot and the fragrant is thus stronger. Some teas are bitter, whereas some are sweet.

There are different kinds of tea-leaves that give out various smells and tastes.

Not everyone will appreciate the same kind of tea as it is acquired by the preferences of the individual.

I didn't know but the local people toast with soup bowls. Of course they have pint glasses or beer tumblers, either. But I heard when they have a personal guest, they prepare with soup bowls to toast to welcome the guest.

I wasn't sure how much beer I had that evening for I couldn't measure with a glass. I totally couldn't pace myself.

1. I was eating with my cousins (all Chinese) one evening and admitted that I knew little about Chinese culture, eating habits and manners. I was told:

"It's almost impossible to be rude among the Chinese unless you spit in the food or something!"

2. If there are "serving chopticks"/spoons available, use them to take food from the main dishes, if there are none, do not worry and help yourself with your own chopsticks.

3. If the teapot/waterpot runs out, simply lift up the lid and stand it on its side on the teapot, or lift it off and put it on the table. The waiter will fill it for you and close the lid.

4. Do not take more than one dim sum piece at a time, unless instructed or offered. Finish what's in your bowl before taking more unless you really do not like it.

5. If someone offers you food it is polite to accept it, try a bit and it's ok to leave it on your plate/bowl if you do not like it

6. Offer other people food to be polite and put it in their bowl with chopsticks/a spoon, it is unlikely they will decline

7. Do not split the bill (with Chinese friends), this is not polite, offer to pay, but if they firmly refuse, accept it and pay for a meal on a later ocassion

8. If you're having trouble eating, lift your bowl to your lips and use the chopsticks to push the food into your mouth (eg rice)

9. If you want more tea, first offer and pour it for others first, then fill your own cup