Hong Kong shop The Chippy defends Scottish dish of deep-fried Mars bars
A Hong Kong cafe serving the 1,200 calorie dish has waded into an international debate in its defence
It's a mythical Scottish snack, lauded for its taste and deplored for its artery-clogging calorie content. And now a Hong Kong fish and chip shop has jumped to the defence of the deep-fried Mars bar, as an international debate rages over its existence.
The Chippy, the only place in Hong Kong to sell the sizzling sweet, made its pledge of allegiance after US food giant Mars disowned the creation - believed to contain a staggering 1,200 calories - on health grounds.
Manager Sudip Sarkar wrote a letter of disgust to the confectionary firm. He said: "We can not stress enough how popular [the deep-fried Mars bar] is among our clientele. We often welcome diners who come to our establishment for the sole purpose of sampling this famous dish."
But as the dubious delicacy celebrates its 20th birthday this year, Mars has ordered Carron Fish Bar in Stonehaven, Scotland, which created the dish, to print a disclaimer in its menus disassociating the treat from the company to protect its "healthy image".
Mars lawyers wrote: "We have recently reduced the saturated fat level in our Mars Bar recipe. Deep-frying our product counters this significantly."
Sarkar said Mars was effectively condemning the dish. His letter said: "We call on you to uphold and support this fine Scottish tradition, which has found a home in the heart of Hong Kong."