HONG KONG / MACAU

Hong Kong, meaning "Fragrant Harbor", is the East meets West epicenter of the culinary world. This gourmet paradise gets its culinary influences from Mainland China, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Greater Europe and beyond. Top chefs from all over the world have come to work in this metropolis, contributing to its culinary development. Today, Hong Kong's exciting cuisine is the epitome of innovation.

Macau's culinary tradition bears the influence of both Portugal and the Mediterranean. You will also find ingredients of Chinese origin in most dishes. In Macau's unique dining scene, sipping a bottle of inexpensive red with a classic Cantonese menu is the norm. Plus the traveler on a budget with a passion for good food and wine need not worry about breaking the bank.

"A lot of people, including myself, love to go to Macau because of its unique cuisine. It's truly 'East meets West.' Macau's most popular style of cooking, Macanese, gets it name from a combined Portuguese and Cantonese influence. The uniqueness of this particular cuisine stems from its blend of exotic Portuguese ingredients with typical Chinese spices, plus the inclusion of some Asian ingredients like Chinese sausage and preserved pork. People visit Macau just to taste this dying cuisine, one not many actually understand. Today, only a handful of chefs carry the secrets of this unusual cooking style. If you get a chance to visit magnificent Macau, be sure to sample the unique Macanese dishes unknown in most parts of the world.

I'd like to share a couple of Macanese dishes easy for anyone to create, so you can experience a genuine 'East meets of West' menu at home."

Appetizers
Stuffed Jumbo Garlic Prawns
Sesame Seed Rolls

Soup
Pork Chops with Spicy Sweet Broth

Entrees
Pinecone Fish
Macau Clay Pot Rice

Dessert
Pearl Tapioca with Sweet Melons

Chinese Sausage

Tapioca

Clay Pot