la fondue china


Do you know about the Chinese fondue?

When you speak of fondue, images of a cool night, some close friends, a heated pot on the center of the table happily dipping are some that get stirred up. The warm pot of chocolate, cheese or stock somehow brings a little closer those who gather around to eat from it. Perhaps one reason why fondue is popular and always welcomed could also be the joy of cooking your own food and eating it immediately.

A late morning coffee chat at the kitchen stool in Basel with M, she shared with me her experience of the Chinese fondue in Switzerland. By the way, M is of Chinese descent, like me.

So by now you probably can guess that the Chinese fondue is what we know commonly as steamboat. Having just celebrating her first Christmas away from her family in the States and also her first in Switzerland, she found it odd to be having Chinese fondue for Christmas, seemingly a popular trend in Switzerland.  During Christmas, you can easily purchase pre-packed Chinese fondue sets from the supermarket – a clear sign of its popularity and commercialism.

If you are one day in Switzerland for Christmas, you know now not to look out for roast turkey!