Ken Hom is the man who brought Chinese cuisine to Britain back in the 1980s with his hugely successful BBC series Ken Hom's Chinese Cookery. The popular celebrity chef has since published more than 20 cookery books and was awarded an OBE for his services to culinary arts in 2009.HELLO! Online asks the American-born Chinese chef where to go for the best Chinese food in London, and, for the adventurers among us, where to find the best Asian food around the world. We also get insider tips on Chinese cooking with his top 5 Chinese ingredients, and of course, a couple of Chinese recipes so you can put his expertise to the test. He also reveals why he chooses the British capital to celebrate Chinese New Year, every year...
Ken, what are your 5 favourite places to eat Asian food in the world? 1. Yan Toh Heen in Hong Kong is one of my top favourites. It is one of most classic and innovative of Cantonese restaurants and I am always surprised by its creativity. The menu and dishes changes constantly. It is truly cooking fit for kings.2. Din Tai Fung in Taipei has the best and the world's tastiest xiao long bao: that famous pork dumpling with soup which is made from the juices and stock jelly. The dumplings are very firm but elastic at the same time and holding the liquid without breaking or cracking. In my opinion it is heaven on earth.3. The Sugar Palm Restaurant & Bar in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The atmosphere is tropical and friendly but it is the food that makes it worth the trip. Delicious and fragrant home cooked food infused with love. When I dined there, the restaurant was packed out with a friendly tropical atmosphere.
4. Jok's Kitchen in Bangkok. Located in Chinatown, there is only one table and Jok, the chef, cooks whatever he likes and it is out of this world.5. MEE in Rio de Janeiro, my restaurant serving pan-Asian cuisine. I know what makes a great restaurant and MEE is definitely up to the standards of all of the restaurants I have mentioned.Tell us your top pick of Chinese restaurants in London.• Wong in Victoria - my top favourite, then it is Kai in Mayfair, Royal China in Queensway and The Good Earth in Knightsbridge.
Why do you return to London every Chinese New Year? • For the simple reason that it has some of the best Chinese food in Europe.What are your top 5 ingredients in Chinese cooking? • Garlic, ginger, chilli, spring onion and five spice powder.Ken Hom is celebrating his 30th career anniversary this year, to download a copy of his commemorative booklet visit: www.kenhom.co.uk
