I heart HK: The Sweet Dynasty

Happy (Chinese) New Year!

I seem to have made a habit of spending culturally significant holidays away from the local culture.

Exhibit A: Spending Christmas Day wandering the streets of Hong Kong. It fit in with my strategy to spend a short period of time chilling out from work, as my definition of ‘chilling out’ really means spend as much time being active rather than sitting like a slug at your desk. Unfortunately, any such plan would be thwarted by Australia’s approach of “close everything up” over Christmas. Therefore devious plan of genius was a success.

Of course, devious plans require refuelling. Therefore, after taking in the capitalist atmosphere of people in shopping centres at Tsim Tsa Tsui, including hugging a giant Tiffany giftbox, I needed refueling for Round 2.

Let me introduce to you: comforting Hong Kong food, done well. The parentals took me to The Sweet Dynasty at Nathan Road, Tsim Tsa Tsui.

 

Stir fried noodles

 

 

Congee

 

 

Glutinous Rice Dumpling

Steamed chicken rice with mushroom

 

I grew up eating these types of flavours as a child (despite growing up in rural Australia) but never realised how comforting these foods are, now that I am getting a bit older (not necessarily wiser). However, it is probably these childhood recollections which make these flavours so comforting.

I remember eating the glutinous rice dumplings when I was in primary school before Christmas, knowing that my friends were probably all eating Cornflakes instead of this weird rice thing. However it was a warm, filling and tasty way to start the day.

I’m glad I was given all of these flavours as a child. I can eat these foods anytime and feel comforted for some reason . I feel like I am being looked after. Though one thing has changed – I no longer wish I had a bowl of Cornflakes.

I am glad that despite being surrounded by the Australian culture when I was a child, my parents insisted that I experience my other culture, even if it means that I celebrate significant holidays at different places in the world.

About these ads