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CHINESE CUISINE 2

New Asia cuisine has been hitting the market hard as globalization takes control of Singaporean palates. Also called "fusion food," this cuisine combines Eastern and Western ingredients and cooking styles for a whole new eating experience. Some of it works, some of it doesn't, but true gourmet connoisseurs consider it all a culinary atrocity.

CANTONESE CUISINE Cantonese-style food is what you usually find in the West: Your stir-fries, wontons, and sweet-and-sour sauces all come from this southern region. Cantonese cooks emphasize freshness of ingredients, which explains why some Cantonese homemakers will shop up to three times a day for the freshest picks. Typical preparation involves quick stir-frying in light oil, or steaming for tender meats and crisp, flavorful vegetables. These are topped off with light sauces that arc sometimes sweet. Cantonese-srylc food also includes roasted meats like suckling pig arid the rccl-roasted pork that's ever present in Western Chinese dishes. Compared to northern styles of Chinese cuisine, Cantonese food can be bland, especially when sauces and broths are overthickened and slimy. Singaporean palates demand the standard dish of chile condiment at the table, which sometimes helps the flavor. One hearty Cantonese dish that has made it to local cuisine fame is clay pot rice, which is rice cooked with chicken, Chinese sausage, and mushrooms, prepared in-vou guessed it-a clay pot.

The Cantonese are also responsible for dim sum (or tim sum, as you'll sometimes see it written around Singapore). Meaning "little hearts," dim sum is a variety of deep-fried or steamed buns, spring rolls, dumplings, meatballs, spare ribs, and a host of other tasty treats. It's a favorite in Singapore, especially for lunch. At a dim sum buffet wheel carts of dishes are moved from table to table and you simply point to what looks nice. Food is served in small portions, sometimes still in the steamer. Take only one item on your plate at a time, and stack the empty plates as you finish each one. Traditionally, you'd be charged by the plate, but sometimes you can find great all-you-can-eat buffets for a good price.

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