Chinese Restaurants on Maui

Chinese Restaurants on Maui?

Please comment. . . .

Maui Chinese restaurants practicing original Chinese-style cooking, has been a frequent discussed subject. The constant debate . . . Why are Maui Chinese Restaurants not serving original Chinese-style cooking?

Many Chinese restaurants serve meals masked with Chinese ingredients yet are

given the "right" to call it Chinese, when it's not. Or, a dish is given a Chinese name, because it is served in a restaurant, entitled Chinese. Another deception is the use of the phrase, "stir-fry" cooking. Many believe to "stir-fry" makes the meal Chinese...does it?

My history and legacy is Chinese Cooking.

I was raised with my Grandfather's and Grandmother's Chinese cooking.

My Grandfather, from Southern China, was a "professional cook" in China.

My Grandmother from Kwantung, China, arrived in Hawai'i as an immigrant. She was not

pleased with plantation work. Rather merchantile, and financing was her niche. Pleased with

her continuing interest, results were prolific. Land acquisitions grew in what is now known as good business properties. Ah Po did well as a business woman from China many generations

ago. In addition, she too, loved cooking Chinese, particularly sweet delicacies.

Ah Goong enjoyed cooking Chinese for large groups.

Nine-course Chinese Dinners were his favorite.

Ah Po knew the art of cooking Chinese delicacies. Deem Sum, Gau, Gin Doi, Sponge Black Sugar Layer Cake, and more. Their home was designed for a large family, around the art of cooking Chinese. Motifs and furnishings from China, graced their home.

There were two large kitchens, one in the main house, and the one downstairs, was particularly

designed to include a large restaurant-style gas range. Two huge, well-seasoned black woks, brought over from China, was the usual sight to see on this range with a large ventilation system

above. Utensils had the appearance of long-use neatly arranged for easy reach. Large wooden free-standing chopping blocks were conveniently accessible, with sharp knives of every sort properly fitted at its side. Cleavers were used most. It took coordination and strength to use two cleavers at the same time. . . a normal chopping method for Ah Goong. The large space behind the cooking equipment, was a social area designed to easily place 5 large round tables, to sit ten, and for Ah Po's Mah Joong parties.

Ah Goong was my mentor in Chinese cooking.

A Public Relations Home Economist, I was assigned the most requested food to teach...Chinese cooking. Challenges with Ah Goong were minimal. Our comfortable relationship allowed all interruptions to flow smoothly. You see, I don't speak Chinese, and that's all Ah Goong spoke! The positive side of this language lack, was whenever Ah Goong had any outburst of impatience, I would not be privy to it. as I did not understand an utterance of Chinese!

To be in awe with Ah Goong's food presentations, would be an understatement. He always prepared food to please the "eye," and to satisfy the taste buds. For example: when he prepared Winter Squash Soup, he reserved the huge hollowed-out squash shell, carved the top edge of the shell, to make-up an elegant "tureen." To further enhance the dish, he used eatable

garnishes.

Kau Yuk, a Pork/Potato dish has always been a favorite of mine. When served, an immediate response was usually a complimentary "aahh..." Kau Yuk normally prepared with Chinese red coloring was unlike American food coloring. The taste was that of bean curd and presented a prestigious meal, garnished with fresh Chinese Parsley.

If you know of a Maui restaurant serving Kau Yuk, please comment on your review.

Hot Oolong Tea steeped in the traditional Tea Padded Basket, was always available. It was dutiful for me when entering their Home, to offer Ah Goong and Ah Po a cup of hot tea. I was never hesitant to do this, as this gesture was "fun," and the Chinese reward was a red envelop filled with money, called, Lee szhe.

The art of Chinese cooking seem to be absent from Maui Chinese Restaurants, what do you think? Please take time to comment.