Modern Hakka Chinese | ALMA ~ How Renowned Chef Is Recreating Her Favourite Childhood Dishes!

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  • Опубліковано 30 вер 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 181

  • @sylviachen1600
    @sylviachen1600 Місяць тому +142

    So proud of you, sis!!!! That’s my sister! Her food is AMAZING! ❤❤❤❤❤

  • @LoanNguyen-js6zd
    @LoanNguyen-js6zd Місяць тому +43

    I loved that she is very humble :"i am nothing without my team." Kudo to her!!

  • @benmarshall5132
    @benmarshall5132 2 місяці тому +47

    The Radish Cakes here are insanely good, killer wine list too.

    • @exceptionalfilms
      @exceptionalfilms  2 місяці тому +3

      excellent wine list!👌

    • @notsocoolright8852
      @notsocoolright8852 Місяць тому

      it's almost all over the street in Malaysia
      Usually is uncle riding a bike to sell it
      and it's cheap, it's our little snack
      Oh, and i bet you it's definitely way better than these "fancy deco"

    • @rabbyt
      @rabbyt Місяць тому +5

      @@notsocoolright8852how youre able to bet on something so confidently that you havent tried tells me everything i need to know about your character 😂

    • @oonkrit
      @oonkrit Місяць тому

      @@notsocoolright8852took a week to make radish cake is crazy. Normally, it can be done in just one night .

    • @SCORPIUSANCTUM
      @SCORPIUSANCTUM 5 днів тому +1

      Rad cakes always a childhood fave and only thing I'd really eat (besides egg custard tarts lol) when the fam went out for dim sum ... the sauce dips look so yum too! This will be the first spot to try out when I visit Toronto one day

  • @ShreyaBobbiti
    @ShreyaBobbiti 2 місяці тому +35

    It's the realest conversation ever ❤. Good luck to the chef!

    • @exceptionalfilms
      @exceptionalfilms  2 місяці тому

      Thanks for watching! Chef Anna’s the sweetest!❤️

  • @seablesh
    @seablesh Місяць тому +24

    You can feel the passion when she talks about her food process, and life grow up. Amazing, add to my Toronto to try list!

  • @pearpenguin
    @pearpenguin Місяць тому +40

    I watched this whole video thinking this restaurant must be in some American city I would probably never get to. But now I realize it's right here in Toronto. I will definitely be going.

    • @exceptionalfilms
      @exceptionalfilms  Місяць тому +2

      Nice! Please do!!🫶

    • @kyyte
      @kyyte Місяць тому +1

      Right???! I'm making plans to go now!!

    • @exceptionalfilms
      @exceptionalfilms  Місяць тому

      @@kyyte YES!!!🤍🤍🤍

    • @j2174
      @j2174 18 днів тому +1

      Why did you assume American? Toronto has lots of diverse food options.

  • @scottharrison5942
    @scottharrison5942 Місяць тому +12

    Love Hakka food, it's getting to become a rarity these days. The more people who can pass on the cuisine, the better. I hope Alma the best, kudos Chef!

  • @williamhuang2976
    @williamhuang2976 Місяць тому +12

    so much work by hand, you must be insanely passionate to open a restaurant.

  • @joyciecat420
    @joyciecat420 15 днів тому +4

    Wow this is AMAZING to see a fellow Hakka Chinese and our culture represented here. THANK YOU this is just inspiring and motivates me to keep going!!!

  • @nizzy116
    @nizzy116 Місяць тому +10

    My last name is Chen too and I am a cook based in San Diego, CA. I wish the best to your success!

  • @_arthurchin
    @_arthurchin 25 днів тому +1

    Come to Singapore! 🇸🇬 🎉🎉🎉

    • @exceptionalfilms
      @exceptionalfilms  25 днів тому

      Love, Love, Love Singapore!! Need to go back ASAP!!🤍🤍🤍

  • @erikjuarezdk2367
    @erikjuarezdk2367 2 місяці тому +9

    Your videos are an inspiration - i have a goal of doing something similar here in Denmark with pizzerias and restaurants, Keep it up!

    • @exceptionalfilms
      @exceptionalfilms  2 місяці тому +4

      Thank You very much!!🙏
      Do it! Film it! Make it happen!⚡

  • @limca678
    @limca678 Місяць тому +1

    Being Chinese from Kolkata like her, I don't have good fond memories of being in the school run by Irish brothers, it was an absolute nightmare. The Christian brothers and the teachers would abuse the students physically.

  • @Jianfa88Tsai
    @Jianfa88Tsai Місяць тому +4

    10:02 excellent wanton skin wrapping technique. Simple and effective in 2 steps. Beautiful Chinese gold ingot shape.

  • @dchz8939
    @dchz8939 22 дні тому +3

    We dined at Alma in May and I thought the bao were amazing. Now I understand why. Nice story, we wish your business well, we are glad we encouraged your restaurant.

  • @kthekid10
    @kthekid10 Місяць тому +7

    What a great showcase and behind the scenes! Awesome vid

  • @armaanajoomal
    @armaanajoomal 20 днів тому +2

    amazing restaurant. amazing owner. amazing story. amazing video. amazing editing. amazing everything. thank you.

  • @ParthPatel-fb6ul
    @ParthPatel-fb6ul 2 місяці тому +6

    loved the video! Worth the long wait... cant wait to see who y'all feature next

    • @exceptionalfilms
      @exceptionalfilms  2 місяці тому +1

      Appreciate it! Thank You so much!! More videos coming soon!🫶

  • @bobbykeene12
    @bobbykeene12 Місяць тому +4

    This was a very well-done vid-from the score to the editing and the interview, everything was top-notch. It was incredibly effective; the next time I'm in the area, I'm definitely going to eat at Alma. Chef, your grub looks AMAZING!

    • @exceptionalfilms
      @exceptionalfilms  Місяць тому +1

      Wow! Thank You so much for the kind words!! We appreciate you Bobby! 🤍🤍🤍

  • @edwin9395
    @edwin9395 Місяць тому +1

    i thought the binchotan was hot.. until she kept describing the dish... omg big fan of you as of today

  • @SoyandPepper
    @SoyandPepper 29 днів тому +2

    I’m from Kolkata India!!! Although I didn’t know Anna, I feel incredibly proud watching this and hope to try this restaurant when I visit toronto!!

  • @Jianfa88Tsai
    @Jianfa88Tsai Місяць тому +1

    11:38 Chinese people like long things. E.g. long noodles symbolise longevity. Instead of cutting bok choy up and mixing in with the noodles early on. At the final 20 seconds of the noodles and sauce process add long uncut bok choy to stir with the sauce. Then plate the noodles, then plate the bok choy in uncut long strands on the left and right sides of the noodles like a ladies figure and the wanton in the middle on top.

  • @Kardekken
    @Kardekken Місяць тому +4

    Really excellent editing and top notch cinematography

    • @exceptionalfilms
      @exceptionalfilms  Місяць тому +1

      Appreciate it! Thank You very much!!🤍🤍🤍

  • @blankroyai
    @blankroyai Місяць тому +2

    She may be a B+ student at her boarding school, but she’s definitely an A in the food dept ❤

  • @brianmozer3112
    @brianmozer3112 Місяць тому +2

    Interesting menu combining Italian and chinese a natural pairing. Food looks great and congrats to the chef and her team impressive can’t wait to visit

  • @NC-qc7wd
    @NC-qc7wd Місяць тому +2

    I may not find my way to Toronto anytime soon as I am still living in Europe. However, I lived in London and visited Murano and Zucca. Zucca was our weeknight restaurant when it was easier to get bookings and more relaxing than on the weekends. And it is absolutely true, Zucca's food was amazing. She is brilliant.

  • @louislouislouislouisssss
    @louislouislouislouisssss Місяць тому +4

    BRB, getting on a plane to Toronto.

  • @stanlee6504
    @stanlee6504 Місяць тому +2

    Wow dear friend you the best keep up the spirit you best chefs God bless you with all the success in your life and your family to dear friend🙂❤ love for Stan Lee in 🇮🇳 dear friend🙂.

    • @exceptionalfilms
      @exceptionalfilms  Місяць тому

      Thank You very much Stan Lee! Your support means a lot!!🤍

  • @chinchansay2012
    @chinchansay2012 10 днів тому +1

    Have been working in the kitchen for 45 years. Worked in London, Paris and am currently staying and working in Italy. I get you. Have worked in a 1 Michelin restaurant as a chef doing Mediterranean cuisine in the south of Italy for 15 years. Had my brigate of 8 cooks working in the kitchen alone. And yes, we are nothing without our teams of cooks and dishwashers included too.....

  • @fatdandelions
    @fatdandelions 15 днів тому +1

    I was intrigued due to the title. My dad and my late grandpa and late grandma were Hakka. I have not hear my dad speak the language. When I was an infant l used to talk hakka, but l learned Dutch Cantonese and Surinam, l lost the ability speaking Hakka. Fun to see fellow Hakka people.

  • @bespokeoriginaldesign761
    @bespokeoriginaldesign761 Місяць тому +1

    as a Ukrainian we also put a bit of potato on the perogie dough to be light fluffier. :P

  • @zhiling_nutrition
    @zhiling_nutrition 22 дні тому +1

    I realized this is from a new channel! Good job at creating such a high quality video!

  • @thehohcollective5201
    @thehohcollective5201 16 днів тому

    Listen her food looks great this all looks amazing but who's idea was that transition at 14:31????? what was that?

  • @pakalolobudz
    @pakalolobudz 14 днів тому

    Funny how she sounded apologetic when saying she no longer makes the Pi for won ton anymore.

  • @puchongyap260
    @puchongyap260 29 днів тому +1

    Well done. You are amazing with food and these food combination. 👍👍👍

  • @DiuQuy
    @DiuQuy 26 днів тому +1

    All the food looks absolutely amazing. I love how it's all made from scratch! You know there's a lot of love put into each dish and it can't help but be delicious.

  • @OB-LA
    @OB-LA 23 дні тому +1

    I love her story, energy, and journey to finding her craft. I can tell the food is delicious and can't wait to try it myself when I finally make it to Toronto.

  • @leonyeo7798
    @leonyeo7798 3 дні тому

    Got sent here by the YT Algo and glad I clicked.
    I'm absolutely sure you guys will blow up soon, just keep putting in the work.
    One advice is that during the interview scenes especially at the start, I know that you had two different camera angles with different cameras. The quality switch between the two cameras can be jarring and distracting for the viewer to fully immerse themselves. (which may have been fixed since this video was 2 months ago)
    ATB

  • @parker4406
    @parker4406 Місяць тому +1

    I hope the flavours bang as much as they do with what you get at tiretti iykyk(s/0 to the auntie pork baos and fishball soup). Love that the chinese food culture we have in India is getting global exposure.

  • @northware1193
    @northware1193 Місяць тому +3

    amazing episode ! well done

  • @madeline5188
    @madeline5188 27 днів тому +1

    You can tell by the look of her food that it is simply delicious. Yum!

  • @littlesame
    @littlesame 13 днів тому

    Thank you for making a vegetarian Lok Ba Go 😋 Haka cuisine is a delicious type of Chinese cuisine, they have lots of flavorful dishes

  • @christopherlai
    @christopherlai 16 днів тому

    I need the recipe for the char siu, please help

  • @gsbsblue
    @gsbsblue Місяць тому +1

    such an amazing chef and person.

  • @natmeyy7590
    @natmeyy7590 Місяць тому +1

    Ive eaten at Murano ,modern Italian in london ,amazing food ,her being apart of that team ,i know her food will be exceptional, planning a trip to Toronto 1st thing on my list will be Alma .Shes got a great story.

  • @linouzz1732
    @linouzz1732 Місяць тому +1

    Radish Cakes 🥺

  • @fredcostas1945
    @fredcostas1945 Місяць тому +2

    Great Indian-Chinese food in Calcutta, it's amazing. Large Han Chinese community in Calcutta.

    • @exceptionalfilms
      @exceptionalfilms  Місяць тому +1

      ❤️❤️❤️

    • @damianrhea8875
      @damianrhea8875 Місяць тому

      Yes. They also identify themselves proudly as “Hakka 客家人” !

    • @fredcostas1945
      @fredcostas1945 Місяць тому +1

      @@damianrhea8875 Correct, I've had Hakka Noodles in Calcutta

  • @MereMere-sm2fb
    @MereMere-sm2fb Місяць тому +1

    Watching this, I just want to visit Toronto and eat the entire menu.

  • @leechrec
    @leechrec Місяць тому +2

    I really enjoyed this.

  • @bubbachua
    @bubbachua Місяць тому +1

    Wish I had a chance to visit this restaurant ❤

  • @ptg01
    @ptg01 Місяць тому +1

    Sooooo inspiring ! Will definitely visit next time we are in Toronto ! Looking forward to visiting !

  • @doraKitty23
    @doraKitty23 Місяць тому +1

    My fav radish cake, i made myself at home because I like it so much

  • @eriklee9462
    @eriklee9462 15 днів тому

    Its harder to make a slab of radish cake than a slab of charSiu

  • @pizzakrush1054
    @pizzakrush1054 2 місяці тому +2

    Awesome

  • @sungkchun
    @sungkchun Місяць тому +1

    Impressive Chef! Very nice!

  • @frankcandalisa3544
    @frankcandalisa3544 Місяць тому +1

    Thanks!

    • @exceptionalfilms
      @exceptionalfilms  Місяць тому

      Wow! Thank YOU so much for your kind generous support!!🤍🤍🤍

  • @takyongwong3582
    @takyongwong3582 27 днів тому +1

    Good chef great pao🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

  • @protopigeon
    @protopigeon Місяць тому +1

    Power to her, this is great

  • @michaell1146
    @michaell1146 Місяць тому +1

    Would love to eat there. :)

  • @leavesoflemons5374
    @leavesoflemons5374 9 днів тому

    this is what we want to see, all day, all year...

  • @johnsells6023
    @johnsells6023 17 днів тому

    I miss Taiwan and this is real Taiwanese food turnip cake san being chi noodles love it

  • @georgemicolta2130
    @georgemicolta2130 Місяць тому +1

    Big dog chef🥊

  • @samriddhi48
    @samriddhi48 16 днів тому

    🇮🇳

  • @KhineSoe-io6wr
    @KhineSoe-io6wr 5 днів тому

    Really love this

  • @DZY49er
    @DZY49er 27 днів тому

    Need to check this place out she so adorable and very determined!!!

  • @gurinderkaur3876
    @gurinderkaur3876 Місяць тому

    She is real hero of her life , I just want to make radish cakes, awesome 🙌 well done bless you keep going

  • @caraarslan
    @caraarslan Місяць тому

    "Alma" means in Hungarian "apple".

  • @ericaawesome3920
    @ericaawesome3920 Місяць тому

    非常完美的影片🎦一個人的精神信仰能給她帶來巨大的能量,從而轉化成此生摯愛的事業,並且愛可以促使你成功❤️祝福Alma生意興隆、蒸蒸日上❤來自上海的愛❤️

    • @exceptionalfilms
      @exceptionalfilms  Місяць тому

      Thank You sooo much for this beautiful comment!!🤍🤍🤍

  • @arqsim
    @arqsim Місяць тому +1

    I was hoping to see some Hakka dishes being served but disappointed to see she is passing off Cantonese or TeoChew dishes as Hakka. Maybe in Canada people less aware.

  • @somefishhere
    @somefishhere Місяць тому

    Amazing, you added some flair to your editing style which isn’t always present in other food docu stories. What informs your style?

    • @exceptionalfilms
      @exceptionalfilms  Місяць тому +1

      Thank You! I just try to keep it fun, cool, entertaining with a good pace and most importantly capturing ALMA & Anna’s essence!🤍

    • @somefishhere
      @somefishhere Місяць тому

      @@exceptionalfilms loving your craft! The interviews are so insightful. Thanks for sharing Toronto with us!

    • @exceptionalfilms
      @exceptionalfilms  Місяць тому

      @@somefishhere Thank You for the kind words and support! More videos coming soon!!

  • @jmw9192
    @jmw9192 Місяць тому

    Great video guys

  • @jsurfin1
    @jsurfin1 Місяць тому +7

    As a Hakka from South East Asia, I don't see any dish that resembles Hakka food even if it's a modern interpretation of it. Miso cod is Japanese and Char Siu is Cantonese for example.

    • @damianrhea8875
      @damianrhea8875 Місяць тому +3

      As in the “radish cake” and the “noodle with big wonton dumplings” dish, the quintessential “Hakka flavours” and “Hakka forms” are amazingly obvious to me ! Of Taiwanese Hakka Cuisine, I have eaten their rice-wrapped dumplings with radish filling in consommé (dried shrimps, chicken, Chinese celery, etc.) - the experience is truly incredible and uniquely delicious !

    • @dlk3904
      @dlk3904 Місяць тому +2

      @@damianrhea8875I agree with the original comment. None of this reminds me of hakka cuisine. Not sure what you mean by form and flavor of the radish cake. It’s a meatless Cantonese radish cake that was sitting in the fridge for a week. Hakka cuisine is known for heavy use of fatty pork belly, fermented flavors and salted vegetables. So maybe the preserved vegetable portion is what you are referring to with the week old radish cake

    • @beautifuldream108
      @beautifuldream108 Місяць тому

      True. Because Taiwanese is influenced by Japanese. Taiwanese love Japanese culture. Malaysian Hakka is more Hakka than Taiwanese. 😅😅😅 Taiwanese do even recognise themselves as Chinese. Hakka is Chinese! 😂😂😂😂😂😂​@@dlk3904

    • @ChenHeeTam
      @ChenHeeTam Місяць тому

      Fantastic food creations but surely not Hakka.

    • @LL-tc1pn
      @LL-tc1pn Місяць тому

      @@ChenHeeTam There are different types of Hakka people with slightly different sub-culture and hence food. Having said that, I do agree that most of the dishes, at least those highlighted on this production, are not quintessential Hakka - per se!! Dry wonton noodles are very traditionally Hakka - at least for the type of Hakka that hail from a village in the Guangdong province; but she made it very different from the ones she probably ate in her childhood. It is definitely not prepared the same way - not technique nor ingredient wise but still has the markings of the traditional stuff. This is why she called it MODERN - which I take as FUSION. It is probably delicious, regardless!!!

  • @nix0pixo
    @nix0pixo Місяць тому

    any chance if you could share the music score or playlist via Spotify? Your selection is just nice ❤

    • @exceptionalfilms
      @exceptionalfilms  Місяць тому

      That’s a great idea! Let’s see if I figure out how to do that 🤔

    • @exceptionalfilms
      @exceptionalfilms  27 днів тому

      Thank You @nix0pixo for this really cool idea! The playlist links are posted the description.
      Please Enjoy! 🎵

    • @nix0pixo
      @nix0pixo 27 днів тому

      @@exceptionalfilms thank you so much! honestly could not wait for your next video project

    • @exceptionalfilms
      @exceptionalfilms  27 днів тому

      @@nix0pixo truly appreciate your support! More videos coming soon!

  • @MMARLZ
    @MMARLZ Місяць тому +2

    This food looks so dank

  • @crazycougar7284
    @crazycougar7284 Місяць тому

    LOL putting food on big fancy plate doesn't make it good

  • @deleted_handle
    @deleted_handle 2 місяці тому

    hacks

  • @nathanfielure4305
    @nathanfielure4305 Місяць тому +7

    There's nothing in her "Bao". It literally means wrap in Chinese. The "Bao" she's making is more commonly known as Man-tou. "Bao" has fillings in it. She needs to understand the meaning of her food.

    • @Kyonqqz
      @Kyonqqz Місяць тому +8

      Bao also generally means bun or bread in Chinese when used as a noun, so she clearly understands more than you. Mantou refers to a specific bread and shape and is not what she is making, but a mantou is still considered a bao. How can you be so confidently incorrect?

    • @nathanfielure4305
      @nathanfielure4305 Місяць тому +1

      @@Kyonqqz Words have meaning, bread is "MianBao 面包“, not just Bao. Because 包 literally means wrap and there is nothing in her 包. When you tell a chinese person something is "bao" and there's nothing in it they will feel cheated. So that's something for you to take note of.
      Btw that is the worst 馒头 I've ever seen in a restaurant frozen supermarket mantou looks better than that.

    • @sinbadthesailor87
      @sinbadthesailor87 Місяць тому +1

      “Uhhhh acthuallyyy....”
      Bro, just stop. No one cares. She’s literally asked the interview question “what is Alma style?” at the beginning of the interview. She’s a gal of Asian Hakka descent who clearly has a very multi-cultural background, and has worked in a wide variety of restaurants. She does bread service with stracchiatella and eggplant fenugreek dip with house made chili oil. What about any of this says “traditional”? Do you think the general dining public knows what mantou are? No of course not. Her techniques are spot on. Coming from the background of a cooking professional with 12+ yrs in the industry you can tell the lvl of kitchen she runs...
      If you’re only interested in traditional foods, cool. Do that. But like it or not, we all live in a multicultural melting pot/tossed salad modern society. It Literally takes zero effort to move on with your day instead of broadcasting to the world how much of a closed-minded wet towel you are. 🤷🏻‍♂️

    • @frankcandalisa3544
      @frankcandalisa3544 Місяць тому

      Nathan Man tu is steamed and used hold usually pot roast pork

    • @nathanfielure4305
      @nathanfielure4305 Місяць тому +1

      @@frankcandalisa3544 Yes but once filled it's called "Kou Rou Bao 扣肉包”。 Meaning, the mantou becomes a bao once it's used to WRAP something, geddit? Don't argue chinese food with a proper chinese person please.

  • @Brooklyn_Hit
    @Brooklyn_Hit Місяць тому

    YOU GO GIRL!

  • @Momocl323
    @Momocl323 Місяць тому

    I’d go back to Toronto just for this!