Players go 'Yum Cha' in Hong Kong

I couldn’t help but notice that, when asked what makes Hong Kong special, the local player (Salom Yiu kam-shing) in the video below answered “the food” while the others mentioned things like the lifestyle, the South Stand, etc.

Hong Kongers live to eat. Fact.

Dim Sum is a traditional favourite without a doubt and the heart of Cantonese cuisine. The words Dim Sum 點心 translate literally to ‘touch heart’, which symbolise the dedication and effort put into making these small bite-sized spring rolls.

In Hong Kong, restaurants begin serving Dim Sum as early as 5am, to entertain the older local folks’ post morning Tai Chi sessions. Dim Sum is consumed as breakfast as well as lunch throughout Hong Kong and across the globe.

Ahead of the sixth round of the HSBC Sevens World Series in Hong Kong, players representing the local team and Kenya clashed in a competition that involves one of the favourite pastimes of Hong Kong locals – Dim Sum of course!

The physical act of going to eat Dim Sum at a restaurant is known as ‘Yum Cha’ (飲茶), and today, Hong Kong players Salom Yiu kam-shing and Alex McQueen and Kenya’s Collins Injera and Benedict Nyambu participated in a Dim Sum making contest in one of Hong Kong’s most popular eateries for ‘Yum Cha’.

Coached by an experienced Dim Sum chef, the four rugby players had 15 minutes to learn the art of making a spring roll. While Injera knew exactly what a spring roll was, he has never been to a traditional dim sum restaurant. He commented, “When the chef showed us what to do, I noticed the amount of detail and effort he puts into every spring roll. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw what he was able to make at such a short space of time. I am going to show off what I learned today to my friends and family when I return to Kenya after the tournament.”

Following the ‘lesson’ by the Dim Sum Chef, each of the four rugby players had to replicate what the chef had shown them. Then, their respective efforts were taken to the kitchen to be cooked. Yiu, a local who is no stranger to going ‘Yum Cha’, was quick to praise the efforts of all 4 players. He said, “You know, I might have eaten Dim Sum all my life, but we don’t really make this type of food at home, so I have never tried to make Dim Sum. Not even once, and so, today was very exciting for me! But this is all a bit of fun and it has allowed us to relax for a little while ahead of the Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, which starts in a couple of days.”

The judging was based on the presentation as well as the taste of the Dim Sum made by the players. The restaurant chef awarded Hong Kong a narrow win, thanks to McQueen’s efforts, whose spring roll was, apparently, more tasty than the others.

If you’re a visitor here for the Sevens, make sure you go Yum Cha before catching your return flight!

See you at the Sevens.

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