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Basin food served for tourists

The Young Reporter (1994, December 19), 27(03), pp. 4, 5.
Author: Windy Ng. Photographer: Windy Ng.
Permanent URL - https://sys01.lib.hkbu.edu.hk/bujspa/purl.php?&did=bujspa0002103

STORY & PICTURES

BY

WINDY NG

BASIN food has become a hot pursuit for local tours recently. This meal has over ten kinds of food placing in layers in one single basin. The flavour of the pork, duck and goose which is placed on the top of the basin will flow down to the white carrot placed at the bottom. The white carrot is said to be the most terrific food in the meal. Surprisingly, though so much meat is put into the basin, the meal is not oily as you would expect.

People would ask why meat can be served in a Kwun Yum temple. Kwun Yum is a god worshipped by most Chinese and is assumed to be a vegetarian. The manager of the temple said that the Pak Heung Temple is a temple worshipping more than one god, including famous Tin Hau and Kwan Kung. They seperate the kitchen and tools into two sets, one set for vegetarian meals and the other for meat.

Hundred of years ago, Hakka basin food was served five times for all villagers at each wedding. Eating basin food was the most efficient and convenient way to serve so many people because they were short of plates and bowls. Nowadays, some walled villages still preserve this special tradition but the basin has changed from a wooden one to a steel one.

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