“Treasure”. That’s a word that echoes through Hong Kong’s sauce industry and maybe even here at Kwai Tam.
Let’s explore a different kind of treasure today. While Kwai Tam itself may seem like a simple bay. The area around it pulses with the flavors of Hong Kong’s famed sauce industry.
Did you know that five firms are celebrated as the “Five Treasures” of the HK sauce industry? These are Pun Chun, Mee Chun, Tung Chun, Koon Chun, and Pat Chun. Each name includes the Chinese character for “treasure”. This refers to the delicious dishes their sauces enhance.
These companies have thrived for nearly a century. They are managed by the third or fourth generations of the founding families. Their secret sauces and loyal customers keep them going.
One of these treasures Tung Chun even had a plant in Kwai Chung. Wong Tok-lai founded Tung Chun Soy & Canning Co in 1919. He produced soy sauce, crystallized ginger and other food products. Tung Chun built a 350000 sq ft plant at 520 Sheung Kwai Chung in Kwai Chung in the 1950s.
Another treasure, Pat Chun moved to a larger site in Kwai Chung in the late 1950s.
These sauces are more than condiments. They are a taste of Hong Kong history. They reflect the hard work and innovation of local families.
Imagine the aromas emanating from these factories. Picture the dedication to traditional methods. Envision families gathering around tables. They share meals enhanced by these treasured sauces.
The story of Kwai Tam is intertwined with the flavors of Hong Kong. It is a place where tradition meets taste. A place where the past seasons the present.