Food Traditions in Macau and Hong Kong

As an expression of cultural identity, food is rooted in social transformation and, in the area of the Pearl River Delta, the cuisines of Macau and Hong Kong have been shaped by global interactions. Despite a geographical adjacency, both Special Administrative Regions (SARs) display unique foodways. While typical Macanese cuisine integrates not only Portuguese and Chinese but also African and Indian fusions, the Cantonese gastronomy of Hong Kong is heavily based on street food culture and the hybridity of cha chaan teng dishes. This encyclopedia entry looks at local food traditions from colonial culinary practice to globalized consumption. It illustrates a continuous adaptiveness in the wake of socioeconomic change, as well as the resilience needed for preserving heritage.