Donal's Asian Baking Adventure

Donal's Asian Baking Adventure | Coming 2021

ABOUT

Donal Skehan, chef, TV presenter embarks on a new journey after the Grandma’s Boy series heading east to explore some of the flavours and secrets of baking – Asian style – in a new series. Travel across Asia to Japan, Korea, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore and Malaysia. From the very latest pandan croissants and cheese tart craze to traditional dim sum, wedding trends and popular street snacks. In fact anything savoury or sweet made with any type of flour, and baked steamed or fried and inspired by his travels, he shares with us in his top 20 easy recipes for fantastic Asian bakes!

WATCH

EPISODES

On Donal’s trip to Hong Kong he visits one of the city’s oldest bakeries Lin Heung Bakery on Wellington Street, established in 1889 selling traditional dim sum. Donal meets Tatler Food Editor Charmaine Mok there for brunch. In contrast, Donal also visits Plumcot Bakery in Tai Hang, one of the newest in the city and tries their signature bake, a brioche and ice cream ‘cold dog’. Next Donal relaxes in the colonial grandeur of the Peninsula Hotel Patisserie, where he samples afternoon tea Hong Kong style! Executive Chef for patisserie, Ludovic Douteau, gives him a glimpse into the hotel’s cake laboratory and demonstrates mille-feuille made with fresh coconut and yuzu – an unexpected Asian twist. Donal bakes Char Siu Sausage Rolls and Jasmine Tea Brownies.

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Episode 1

With a population of over 7 million people there are a lot of mouths to feed in Hong Kong. Donal visits Mong Kok Market, where Moon cakes and Wife cakes are much-loved local delicacies, both a nod to Hong Kong’s Chinese roots. The city was under British rule for 99 years ending in 1997 and nowadays there’s a growing appetite for nostalgia. In Café Matchbox, a fifties style diner, Donal samples classic favourites with the odd Asian twist such as toast with black sesame spread drizzled with condensed milk. Celebrity chef Christian Yang takes Donal to try sweet delicious Egg Waffles, a Hong Kong favourite. Then they drop in at trendy new café Little Bao for steamed Asian buns with gourmet fillings. Donal’s recipes are Hong Kong Style French Toast and Fried Chicken Bao

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Episode 2

Donal is off to Singapore, a melting pot of cultures all in one fantastically diverse city. This wealthy island nation has a reputation as a futuristic shrine to consumerism. Singaporeans live fast-paced lifestyles, so street food is very popular. In Little India, Donal samples roti at a market stall and then goes on to a bakery in Arab Street where he tastes the national cake of Singapore, green Pandan Cake. Donal is surprised to discover that breakfast in this metropolis means toast, jam and coffee where he is joined by Singaporean chef and food writer Christopher Tan. Christopher shows Donal how to make the famous ‘curry puff’ filled with his grandmother’s chicken and lemongrass curry. Donal bakes Tropical Fruit Coconut Cake & Chicken Curry Buns

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Episode 3

Singapore is an island city-state of nearly 6 million, a diverse mix of Chinese, Malays and Indians. Donal visits Bread Talk, a revolutionary modern bakery opened in 2000 and now with branches in 17 countries worldwide. Their signature Flosss Bun is their biggest seller and is typical of the light fluffy bakes in Singapore, topped with ‘floss’, savoury shredded meat. Donal tries his hand at making their bestseller the Lychee Martini Cake. Donal’s recipes are Coconut Kaya Cakes & Pineapple Tart Tatin.

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Episode 4

In Melaka on Malaysia’s South West Coast, Donal braves the Durian Puff! This snack is filled with the world’s smelliest fruit which is hugely popular because once you bite into it, the sweet, creamy inside is very moreish. Many local baking traditions use copious amounts of sticky rice, coconut and Gula Melaka. Donal meets renowned Asian food ambassador Chef Wan to see how Gula Melaka, the rich dark palm sugar, is made. There are over one hundred different types of local Khue or cake. Donal visits Baba Charlie’s shop to try some. And then learns from Chef Wan how to make his favourite Pandan pancakes. Inspired by his travels Donal makes Gula Melaka Doughnuts and Pandan Cake.

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Episode 5

In Tokyo Donal visits Asakusa Market surrounding the world’s most popular religious site, the Buddhist temple of Sensoji. Inspired by the green tea flavours he finds there, he searches out the Koso-an tea house, one of Tokyo’s hidden gems. In contrast to the baked street food snacks Donal tastes the high end food at Equisse Cinq, a dessert restaurant in one of the city’s finest department stores. Donal’s recipes are Chocolate & Red Bean Dorayaki and Matcha Green Tea Eclaires.

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Episode 6

In Tokyo, Japan’s mega metropolis, Donal tastes traditional Monjayaki pancakes cooked at the table, using vegetables and wheat-based batter. He takes a masterclass in high-end baking where he learns the secrets of the perfect Japanese strawberry shortcake, classically shared on Christmas Eve.
Donal delves into Japan’s famous obsession with anything cute, known as Kawaii. Donal visits the district of Harajuku, a technicolour dream world devoted to kawaii and finds some surprising but tasty treats. Donal bakes Yuzu Citrus Tea Cheesecake and Japanese Milk Bun.

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Episode 7

Donal takes a dramatic ferry ride across the Pearl Delta from Hong Kong to Macau. Previously a 16th Century Portuguese trading port today Macau is an autonomous territory within China creating some interesting fusion baking. Donal meets Macanese food ambassador Jonathan Phang and they hunt out the best bakes, from Chui Heong, one of Macau’s oldest bakeries, to bright and modern Koi Kei Bakery. Top of the list are almond biscuits, a huge local favourite. Donal gets up early to bag a box of Lord Stow’s Egg Tarts which sell 21,000 a day across Macau. Donal’s bakes are Macanese Almond Biscuits & Crème Brulee Tart.

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Episode 8

Donal visits the Yongsan Gu district in Seoul where he finds the Glamorous Penguin Café run by Sophia Yoo. She bakes European style cakes with a Korean twist, like her Mandarin Chiffon Cake. Sophie takes Donal to her childhood favourite, Taeguk Dang bakery, one of the oldest in Korea. Guided by Chef and food writer Jinhoo Lee, Donal visits one of the city’s most popular dumpling houses and tastes mandu, Korean dumplings filled with pork and spices. Donal makes Korean Dumplings and Yuzu Citrus Tea Cake

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Episode 9

In Seoul Donal visits Mangwon market with TV Chef Wonil Lee for a history of Korean baking. He finds there are new cake, bread and confectionary businesses buzzing with excitement. While in Seoul he makes Black Sesame Scones with Chef Wonil. In the evening he enjoys a pizza picnic by the Han River, a popular evening hangout for Seoulites. Donal’s own recipes, inspired by his trip, are Hotteok Style Doughnuts and Bulgogi Pizza.

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Episode 10