Pat Chun – An Authentic Taste of Hong Kong Recipes That Have Stayed True to Tradition for More than 8 Decades
August 19, 2022
Founded in 1932 by Ng Wai Sum, Pat Chun is a well-known institution in Hong Kong that’s known for traditional snacks and carefully-crafted sauces of the highest quality. Mr Ng’s father was a masterchef of Cantonese cuisine and he passed his expertise in traditional delicacies and brewing sauces to Mr Ng. Equipped with skills that are becoming a lost art,
Mr Ng successfully turns Pat Chun into a flourishing business that boasts traditionally-fermented sauces that many have come to know and love.
The esteemed company strives to provide families with tasty and nutritious foods. Even though their values are simple, the process of manufacturing their products sure isn’t. Pat Chun produces more than 100 products, ranging from signature vinegars, to their famous Soy Sauce Supreme and XO sauces. Pat Chun Sweet Vinegar and Pat Chun Black Vinegar (comparable to Balsamic vinegar), which are the bestsellers, can be used to whip up appetising Pork Knuckles with Ginger, and Egg in Sweet Vinegar.
Their crunchy, sweet and sour Young Pink Ginger, which sports a natural shade of pink, is all natural and ranks as one of the top condiments. Of course, how can we forget their Soy Sauce Supreme which is practically a household staple. Many people these days are familiar with basic soy sauce production, but Pat Chun takes things up a notch. They take the first-pressed soy sauce from each production batch and re-ferment it with a new batch of soybeans. This results in an intensified flavour and umami, but without an increase in the salt content. No preservative, MSG, sugar or artificial colouring is used in their products.
Following the recipes that he has inherited from his father, Mr Ng prepares traditional snacks that were built to be gifted. It’s no surprise that the demand for his snacks skyrocketed as they are made with immaculate care that would not be found in products that are mass produced.
It turned out that there was an insatiable demand for his radish cake and mooncakes, so he was able to turn it into a flourishing line of business. Now, these are available in Singapore
You can look forward to 4 types of mooncakes — 10 Yolk, White Lotus Double Yolk, Custard, Lava. The lotus paste mooncakes are made with premium lotus seed, and are not mixed with starch at all. You can have a taste of these top quality mooncakes at the Takashimaya Mooncake Fair from now till 9 September 2022.
A must try is their White Lotus Seed Paste Mooncake with 10 Yolks. Made of top quality white lotus seed paste with 10 golden salty egg yolks, it is definitely a good festive treat for sharing with family and friends. They also sell mini mooncakes in interesting flavours such as Yuzu & Cranberry, Fig Paste with Pine Seeds, Assorted Nuts with Blueberry, Black Sesame with Lotus Seed Paste, White Lotus Seed Paste Mooncake with yolk, and Lava Custard.
Why has Pat Chun withstood the test of time, you may wonder. Well, it’s because of 3 key reasons.
- Pat Chun has stayed true to using traditional methods to craft their products. Despite the evolution of technology, the tastiest sauces are still brewed according to traditional methods. The multi-layered sensory experience cannot be replicated through industrial production. This, of course, is more labour intensive, and consequently more expensive, but the longstanding company refuses to compromise on quality. Traditional recipes require traditional craftsmen and craftsmanship. Hence, Pat Chun believes that the only way to maintain that distinctive traditional taste is to pass their craft from one generation of Hong Kongers to the next. Thus, their main brewery is located in Hong Kong, and will always remain there, even if the brewery has to relocate.
- Pat Chun avoids preservatives and artificial flavour enhancers which are commonly used in commercially-produced items that are also usually cheaper. The best foods should not just be tasty, but they should also be nutritious. Traditional fermentation takes longer, but results in more nutritious products that are void of preservatives. Their products require months of fermentation, and up to several more years of ageing, but the sauces and vinegars made through this lengthy seasonal fermentation process carry many layers of flavours from the carefully-selected grains used. You will be able to discern the great taste that sets them apart.
- Pat Chun uses the freshest seasonal ingredients, sourced from all over the world. Over the years, the market for sauces and foods has become dominated by big brands, and supermarkets are filled with products that are heavily marketed and “enhanced” with additives. It is difficult to find handcrafted artisanal sauces these days. Pat Chun is one of the few remaining brewers that have persevered with traditional methods.
If you have not tried Pat Chun’s high quality creations before, it’s high time you do! Check out https://www.patchun.com/shop/singapore/ for more details on their products, and remember to visit their booth at the Takashimaya Mooncake Fair which runs from now till 9 September 2022!
Website: https://www.patchun.com/shop/singapore/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/patchunsingapore
This post is brought to you by Pat Chun.
