Difficulty: Summiteer (Level 3)
Daniel Chan is the fourth-generation owner of Hong Kong’s Koon Chun sauce factory. Recently, he discovered that a significant number of his clients came from Réunion Island, a French territory in the Indian Ocean.
Curious about their interest in his sauces, Chan travelled several hours to Réunion to find out what sparked the demand. The island has a complex history, shaped by colonisation, slavery and migration.
The island today boasts a multicultural society influenced by African, European, Indian, and Chinese cultures.
Upon arrival, Chan was surprised to find rice cookers in a cafe, where they were steaming dumplings.
“They called it bouchon [French for a cork] but it is definitely a siu mai [pork dumpling] and these are used to make their famous sandwiches, bouchon gratiné,” said Chan.
The sandwich is made with a baguette, his chilli sauce and cheese.
Audrey Harel, who is a trade adviser for the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong, grew up on Réunion Island and says the bouchon gratiné is a very common snack, often bought from food trucks.
The sandwich reflects Réunion’s diverse culture, with its Chinese origins and Hong Kong-style sour chilli sauce adding a unique twist.
