Today I am starting a NEW series on Wrinkled Chiffon I would like to call, “Hidden Hong Kong”. This series will hopefully introduce you to some new, interesting and exciting activities, places, foods, restaurants and basically any fun thing encountered while exploring life in the city of Hong Kong. Number one in the Hidden Hong Kong series is The Hong Kong Waffle, otherwise known as “gai daan jai“ or the eggette.
Gai daan jai is made from eggs, flour, sugar and milk and served hot right on the street. Before this weekend I had never heard of this Hong Kong favorite, nor had I seen it prepared. But when walking down a side street in Kowloon this weekend, I noticed a long line that snaked around the block all leading up to this tiny food stall squeezed right in the middle of a strip of shops. When I reached the front of the line, I saw men, women and children alike with their eyes wide open waiting patiently for their order. Next, I watched as a woman wrapped up a piping hot, bubbled piece of dough and handed it over the counter to her next customer, while she took money from him in her other hand. The second woman stood only a few feet behind managing multiple waffle/frying pans wiping the sweat from her face hastily working to complete the next order. All of this was happening in a tiny, little street shack as the line continued to grow. It was chaos!
During the craziness, I still could not make out exactly what they were making and what everyone was waiting for. What was all the fuss? So when the next customer grabbed for his bag, I jumped at the opening and asked if I could see inside. When he smiled and peeled back the paper, I saw what looked to be a bubbled up piece of dough taking the shape of an upside-down egg carton. Here it was, The Hong Kong Waffle. Little did I know I was catching my first glimpse of the most popular Hong Kong street snack since the 1950s! I can’t say it looked super yummy, but I can say that next on my list is to try one of these little sensations. But that will have to wait for another post at another time…maybe when the line isn’t so long, ha! Happy Tuesday!
