Confucius once said, "The way you cut your meat reflects the way you live." The preparation (預備) and presentation of the foodcan be a work of artin Chinese culinary (烹飪). Basic cooking methods in Chinese cuisine include frying (煎), stir-frying (炒), deep-frying (炸), boiling (煮), stewing (炆、燉) and steaming (蒸).
Juliet, a food-curious tourist from England, came to Hong Kong for holiday. She wanted to try all kinds of adventurous (大膽的) Chinese recipes (食譜). A dai pai dong (大牌檔) called Royal Kitchen was a recommendation from the travel guide book she bought in England. She found this kind of open-air food stalls very unique and decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, she got lost on her way to Royal Kitchen and became frustrated because she couldn’t speak Chinese and ask for assistance. Laura, who lived nearby, saw Juliet and did her best to help.
Laura: Hi, may I help you?
你好，有需要幫忙嗎？
Juliet: Oh yes! I am looking for a Chinese restaurant called Royal Kitchen.
你好。我在尋找一家名為御膳廚房的中式餐廳。
Laura: Oh, it’s just right here!
哦！就在這裡啊！
Juliet: Cool! Thanks!
太好了！謝謝！
Juliet couldn't have felt more welcome and invited Laura to dinner. Laura hesitated at first but then accepted the invitation.
Laura: Is this your first time to Hong Kong?
你第一次來香港嗎？
Juliet: Yes, I am alone actually. Do you want to join me for dinner?
是啊，一個人來。你賞面跟我一起吃飯嗎？
Laura: Sure! Why not?
好的！ Juliet was very upbeat (樂觀的) and warm. According to herguide book, deep fried calamari (椒鹽炒鮮魷) was the signature dish (招牌菜) of Royal Kitchen that best showcased(展示) the chef’s deep try skills. Juliet highly recommended it to Laura. They also wanted to have some all-timefavourite (時常都很受歡迎) vegetarian dishes but had no idea which vegetables were in season (合時). They asked the waitress (女侍應) (waiter “男侍應”) for advice. The waitress said that they had morning glory (通菜), lettuce (生菜), choi sum also called “flowering cabbage” (菜心) and broccoli (西蘭花). Laura ordered morning glory with beef. Juliet was surprised to know that most Chinese dishes were cooked with meat and vegetables together.
As a tourist, Juliet wanted to explore a Chinese cook's arsenal (“兵工廠”. 比喻廚房像個兵工廠). The waitress was so generous (大方的) that she allowed them to observe how the chef (廚師) prepared their dishes. It was such an eye-opening (大開眼界) experience to Juliet! Inside the kitchen, they saw some common Chinese ingredients (材料) such as spring onions (蔥), garlic (蒜茸), ginger (薑), peppers (辣椒) and corn starch (粟粉).
Chinese people like to put dishes in the middle of the table for all to shareand use individual bowls of rice for each person. Laura and Juliet ordered two bowls of plain rice. The waitress offered Juliet knife and fork as she knew those were European cutlery (餐具). Juliet declined (婉拒) her offer as she could manage chopsticks (筷子) very well. The food was delicious!
To remove food residue (食物殘渣) from teeth with toothpicks (牙籤) is a common practise in China. However, Laura avoided doing so as she thought it was not hygienic (衛生) and could appear to be rude (粗魯的).
Questions:
1. Can you name some cooking methods in Chinese culinary?
2. What are the ingredients mentioned in the video?
3. What is the most common cutlery do Chinese people use?
Europe is always a top holiday destination (目的地) for many travellers. Lily and Louise are planning their summer holiday to London. They are looking for opportunities to improve their English communication skills before their trip. Food is always the first thing that comes to their minds. Lily and Louise are not used to speaking English in Hong Kong. They are intimidated (生畏) when they have to order food in English. These are the reasons why they want to practise restaurant phrases including ordering and food words.
One day Lily and Louise passed by a unique (獨一無二) and charming (吸引) restaurant in Central. They were particularly impressed by the decoration (裝修) and the ambiance (氣氛) of this restaurant. Indeed, it was no disappointment! This restaurant offered different types of delicious food and beverages (飲品). Let’s watch the video and learn some common restaurant phrases in English.
When Lily and Louise arrived, a waiter greeted them with a delighted expression.
Waiter: How many people are you? 你們一共有多少人?
Lily: Two please. 兩位，謝謝。
The waiter showed them to a table. Lily was so hungry that she asked for the menu immediately.
Lily: May I have the menu please? 可否給我餐牌?
Waiter: Sure. Do you want something to drink? 當然可以。你要不要飲品?
Lily: Can I have some cold water please? 可否給我凍水?
Waiter: Sure. Sparkling or still? 當然可以。有氣還是沒有氣的?
As Lily and Louise were saving money for their trip, they preferred something free of charge.
Lily: Tap water is fine. 自來水(水喉水) 可以了。
Lily seldom went to Western-style restaurants. Louise explained to her that a typical European meal consisted of an appetizer (頭盤), a main Course (主菜). and followed by a dessert (甜品).
Lily: Can we have a potato salad to share? 我們要一個薯仔沙律一起吃呢。
Waiter: How about main course? 那麼主菜呢?
Louise: Can I have a seafood pasta? 我要一個海鮮意粉。
Lily: Same for me please. 我也一樣。
Waiter: No problem. 沒問題。
The seafood pasta was big enough to serve two people. Although Lily and Louise were very full, there’s always room for dessert.
Louise: Excuse me, what dessert do you have? 請問你們有什麼甜品?
Waiter: We have ice-cream and chocolate cakes today. 我們今天有雪糕同朱古力蛋糕。
Lily: Let’s have both! 不如兩款也要!
There is always both an a la carte (點餐牌上的菜)and set menu (套餐) option (套餐) offered in a Western-style restaurant. The French language phrase “à la carte” means "according to the menu". You can choose your favourites from the a la carte menu. A formal meal can consist of three to four courses or even more. A menu with four courses is called a “four-course menu” (四道菜餐). Appetizers (頭盤) are to be served before the main course. Salad is a popular appetizer.
Questions:
(1) What do a typical Western-style meal consist of? (2) What is the different between an a la carte menu and a set menu? (3) Can you name some main course options? (4) How to order food? Please complete this sentence: ______________ a seafood pasta?
Answers:
(1) Appetizer, main course and dessert followed by tea or coffee (2) You can choose the dishes you want from the a la carte menu while the choices of a set menu is fixed. (3) Steaks, chicken and fish fillets. (4) Can I have/ May I have/ I would like to have a seafood pasta.
Special thanks to Fridge.
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