Ep 5. Shanghai: Europe in the Far East

Kylie Kwong takes viewers on a culinary adventure in Shanghai for season 2 episode 5, titled "Shanghai: Europe in the Far East." Shanghai is known as the Paris of the East due to its unique blend of Chinese and European cultures. In this episode, Kylie explores the city's rich history and how it has influenced its cuisine.

Kylie starts her journey in the French Concession, a neighborhood that was once a French settlement in the heart of Shanghai. Here, she visits a traditional French bakery that has been operating since the early 1900s. She learns how the bakery has adapted to Chinese tastes over the years, incorporating local ingredients and flavors into their pastries. Kylie then visits a local tea house, known for serving high-quality Chinese teas with a French twist.

Next, Kylie heads to a wet market to gather ingredients for her next dish, Shanghai-style braised pork belly. She meets a local vendor who sells a variety of homemade soy sauce and learns about the different types and their uses in Chinese cooking. Kylie then heads to a cooking school to demonstrate how to make the perfect Shanghai-style braised pork belly, using locally sourced ingredients and traditional techniques.

Kylie then visits a restaurant that specializes in Huaiyang cuisine, one of the four major styles of Chinese cuisine. She learns about the delicate flavors and presentation of the dishes, as well as the importance of balance in Chinese cooking. Kylie then joins the chef in the kitchen and helps him prepare a dish of steamed crab with egg white.

Finally, Kylie explores the city's vibrant nightlife scene and visits a speakeasy-style bar, hidden behind a secret door in a dumpling shop. She tries a variety of cocktails with Chinese ingredients and learns about the history of cocktail culture in Shanghai.

Throughout the episode, Kylie shares her love of Shanghai and the unique blend of Chinese and European cultures that make it such a special city. She also highlights the importance of using locally sourced, sustainable ingredients in cooking. "Shanghai: Europe in the Far East" is a fascinating look at one of China's most dynamic cities and its rich culinary heritage.