photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
CM Kwan | all galleries >> Galleries >> The Back Alleys in Hong Kong > The Backyard of a “Siu Mei” Shop
previous | next
04-APR-2008

The Backyard of a “Siu Mei” Shop

Hong Kong view map

"Siu Mei" means roasted meat dishes which are famous Cantonese cuisine.

Nowadays, in Hong Kong, most of the roasted pigs are supplied by central roasted meat factories,
but this shop insists on producing their own.

This part of alley was abused by this shop for preparing their products.
They hung the pigs in that small room for natural drying before putting them into a charcoal furnace.

When a roasted pig was cut into small pieces, we call them “roasted pork” or “roasted meat”.
Sometimes the entire pig is purchased for special occasions.
A tradition is to celebrate a Chinese film's opening with a pig,
as the tradition suggests that the pig is sacrificed to ward off evils
in return to pray for the film's success.

Nikon D2Xs ,Nikkor AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED
1/15s f/4.5 at 14.0mm iso400 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
comment | share
Jeff Real28-Jun-2009 23:37
A fine documentary work and fine black and white image ~V~
Bill Warren22-Apr-2009 12:46
What an alley closet. V
ac20-Apr-2009 16:47
Beautiful BW photo.
Mangles Photography20-Apr-2009 12:25
Great P.J. photo, , Nice wake up call : people in this country think butchered animals are refrigerated immediately after being slaughtered and that the slaughter houses are spotlessly clean
Guest 02-Mar-2009 08:48
Very strong image!
Guy Dube11-Aug-2008 14:17
A very nice shot CM, B&W is very appropriated for this type of picture.V
blizzard10-Apr-2008 20:54
a very original and rare photo
congrats v
Guest 06-Apr-2008 21:07
A piggy success for the film :) A nice capture and story! V
2004 06-Apr-2008 02:44
I like to eat Siu Mei. However, after looking at this picture, it may change my favor. Good capture !
Char06-Apr-2008 01:07
Hi CM,
This is a wonderful black and white and an interesting scene and story. Thank you for sharing this. \/
DL 06-Apr-2008 01:06
When we are eating those delicious roasted meat, we never think of the process of making these roasted pig. So, sometimes it will be good just knowing the result not the process. Great capture!
Raymond06-Apr-2008 00:43
Gueez... I don't know about this one CM ! The hygienic conditions leave to be desired ! I mean... there must be flies and God knows what else in there !. Here... Health canada would be on them like a tons of bricks !
But we do roast pigs also, and lambs etc., we call that a Mechoui ! Funny how the French and the Chinese word are sort of similar ! Mechoui and Siu Mei !!!
Great catch CM...
Raymond06-Apr-2008 00:42
Gueez... I don't know about this one CM ! The hygienic conditions leave to be desired ! I mean... there must be flies and God knows what else in there !. Here... Health canada would be on them like a tons of bricks !
But we do roast pigs also, and lambs etc., we call that a Mechoui !
Great catch CM...