Hong Kong - Local Food 2014 (Joint Issue with Malaysia)

Date of Issue: 9 October 2014
Width: 28.0 mm
Height: 45.0 mm
Perforations: 13.5 by 13.25
Stamp issuing authority: Hongkong Post
Printer: Cartor Security Printing, France

Hong Kong is a renowned international food capital, whereas Malaysia is a popular destination for foodies as a multicultural gourmet hub. Tourists are drawn to both places for their unique gastronomical landscapes. This joint issue features authentic local food of Malaysia and Hong Kong and celebrates the distinctive culinary cultures of these Asian neighbours.

1.70 Hong Kong Dollars - Egg Waffle
2.90 Hong Kong Dollars - Nasi Lemak
3.70 Hong Kong Dollars - Poon Chai
5.00 Hong Kong Dollars - Satay

A set of special stamps on the theme of “Hong Kong, China – Malaysia Joint Issue on Local Food” will be released for sale with associated philatelic products on Thursday, 9 October 2014.

As the Chinese saying goes, food is people’s paramount concern. One can get a glimpse of the customs and traditions of a place through its food culture. Hongkong Post and Pos Malaysia jointly issue a set of four stamps on local food in Hong Kong, China and Malaysia to showcase the distinctive local delights and reflect the food culture of the two places. This is Hongkong Post’s thirteenth joint issue with other postal administrations.

$1.70 Local food in Hong Kong, China – Egg Waffle 

Street snacks are an integral part of Hong Kong’s food culture and the egg waffle, a familiar local traditional street snack, is prepared by pouring a ladle of batter made mainly of eggs, sugar and flour into a lidded, purpose-made baking mould before heating it over a charcoal fire. Crispy outside and tender inside, the golden brown egg puffs are mouth-watering and delicious.

$2.90 Local food in Malaysia – Nasi Lemak

Given the blazing hot weather, people in Malaysia prefer strongly flavoured food to boost the appetite. Nasi Lemak, a popular choice for breakfast, is easily available from food stalls along many streets. It is a rice dish, wrapped in banana leaves and cooked in coconut milk, and enhanced with spices such as ginger, star anise, cinnamon and pandan leaves. Rich with a coconut aroma, this wholesome dish is served with fried anchovies, boiled eggs, a spicy sauce called ‘sambal’, fresh slices of cucumber and crunchy groundnuts.

$3.70 Local food in Hong Kong, China – Poon Choi

Eating Poon Choi is a tradition of the indigenous villagers of Hong Kong’s New Territories. On festive occasions, at village gatherings or for ancestral worship ceremonies, villagers gather inside the ancestral hall or on the hillside, where they sit on the ground, and eat “basin meals” together to their hearts’ content. Traditional Poon Choi is typically a cornucopia of cooked chicken, duck, prawn, dried scallop, mushroom, Chinese radish, etc., arranged in layers in a basin. This local dish definitely satisfies the palate of diners.

$5 Local food in Malaysia – Satay

The satay is Malaysia’s signature dish. Smothered in marinade, a satay is skewered pieces of chicken, beef or mutton, barbecued over a charcoal fire. Once ready, it is served with a thick peanut dip, fresh cucumber, raw onion and ketupat (rice cakes). The diverse tastes of these side dishes complement each other exquisitely.

Adorned with images of the bauhinia and hibiscus (Bunga Raya), the floral emblems of Hong Kong and Malaysia, this set of stamps highlights the culinary delights of these two places on a splash ink background.