Albert Wong has been in the bird's nest business for more than 15 years and believes the delicacy is one of the best health supplements.
'Of the three most popular Chinese delicacies - shark's fin, abalone and bird's nest - it is the latter which is the most expensive and considered the most precious in Chinese culture,' says Albert, who takes it every day without fail.
'Bird's nest nourishes your internal organs, enhances your immune system, detoxifies your lungs as well as rejuvenates your cells.' Tai-tais and movie stars are probably the largest consumers of bird's nest, as it supposedly makes the complexion smoother and more supple and gives an inner glow.
Most bird's nest - which is actually the dried saliva of the swiftlet - comes from Indonesia, although some is imported from Thailand and Vietnam.
Its high cost is due to the difficulty of locating the caves in which it is found. Deforestation in Southeast Asia adds to its rarity.
Still sold by the catty (one catty is about 600 grams), the price of bird's nest can range from $7,000 to $20,000.