Most read of 2023: tasting the first Chinese durian, drinking in Korea’s whisky trend, tributes to MasterChef Australia host – top food and drink stories
- The first China-grown durian piqued Post readers’ interest in 2023, as did a Singapore hawker’s global expansion and a Hong Kong hospitality veteran’s food picks
- Tributes to MasterChef Australia’s late host got your attention, and so did a Hong Kong restaurant’s apparent copycat and a Chinese family’s market in Canada
From taste testing China’s much anticipated first home-grown durian to how a family who left Guangzhou, southern China, for Vancouver in 1981, built a fruit and vegetable empire in Canada, we look back at the food and drink stories most read by Post readers in 2023.
1. A taste of China’s home-grown durian
China’s much-anticipated first home-grown durian got the taste test in August from the Post’s Shea Driscoll.
He found the taste and smell were just a faint facsimile of a “proper” durian, while the texture was, at times, reminiscent of an unripe banana.
2. Young Korean drinkers toast to whisky
Forget beer and soju, young Koreans are going crazy for whisky, and premium Scotch malts such as Macallan are selling out.
3. Singapore chef shines bright
Chan Hong Meng, the Singapore chef behind Hawker Chan, once the world’s cheapest Michelin-star restaurant, still sells 1,000 meals a day despite losing the star in 2021.
He opened outlets around the world. Some people say his food isn’t as good, but he takes the criticism “in his stride”.
What are 2023’s top food trends, according to TikTok? 5 of the best
4. Building a fruit and vegetable empire
Post Magazine looked at how a Chinese family in Canada rose from nothing to run a fruit and vegetable empire.
Leung Kin-wah’s family left Guangzhou for Vancouver in 1981 with little money and not much English but a desire to work hard.
This year, Kin’s Farm Market celebrates its 40th anniversary. Leung, who helped his parents start the company, talked about its beginnings and its future.
5. It’s all in the name
The Malaysian company behind the venue later clarified it has “no affiliation” with the Hong Kong restaurant.
6. Tributes for MasterChef Australia’s Jock Zonfrillo
MasterChef Australia presenter Jock Zonfrillo died on April 30, aged 46. Tributes poured in for the father of four and judge on the popular TV cooking competition, while the MasterChef Australia broadcaster and producer hailed him as “talented and full of grit”.
7. A hospitality veteran’s go-to place for a meal
Businesswoman Maria Lee was Hong Kong’s first female hotel general manager in 1987 and has decades of hospitality industry experience under her belt.
