Ethnic mosaic

The big smiles and happy chatter signaled a different world from that of the hurried footsteps and often harriedlooking faces of Hong Kong Central. And, culturally speaking, it was a different world at Bali restaurant, an Indonesian place.

The clinking of glasses and occasional peals of laughter sounded as diners sampled the chicken satay, dipped in a rich peanut sauce, blended with sweet soy sauce and pepper condiment. The relaxed atmosphere among the dining tables revealed much about the character of the customers from far-flung points of the globe.

The setting at the Indonesian restaurant painted a perfect picture of how Hong Kong, with its long tradition at the crossroads of East and West, has embraced many cultures and how those cultures have shaped the Hong Kong mosaic — making the city one of the most cosmopolitan in the world.

Experts contend that food culture can combat alienation, which creates an “us and them” mentality and is a natural catalyst for culture clash. Food can become a first step to sharing “the good things” among different cultures, building trust and friendship among people of vastly different backgrounds. “Food is the safest way to understand a culture, making cultural integration and social acceptance possible,” said Maria Tam, associate professor of Anthropology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Tam and her team launched the Multiculturalism in Action Project in 2013, aiming to promote social integration and