A Guangdong-based catering firm is leveraging the rise in Chinese oyster consumption to create a roaring trade among young consumers.
China produces enormous quantities of oysters but most of these are processed into low-value condiments like oyster sauce. However, Hao De Xi (“Hao” is Mandarin for oyster), serves higher-quality, home-grown oysters served in large restaurants done out in youthful décor and open until the early hours of the morning.
The chain, which also uses the English name HDX Oysters, is serving up oysters from Taishan (Guangdong Province) in a new outlet it has opened in the wealthy manufacturing city of Dongguan. The outlet is the company’s third – it also recently opened a location in Guangdong.
Clearly appealing to younger consumers, Hao De Xi promotes “oyster mountains,” featuring a dozen oysters served either raw or cooked in broth in a local style.
The Hao De Xi restaurants are decorated with Manga comic strips murals and an industrial-style décor theme rather than the more formal approach taken by many of the oyster bars that have opened in major Chinese cities. Also reflecting the chain’s different approach is its pricing: Hao De Xi charges CNY 88 (USD 13.12, EUR 11.25) for one of its “oyster mountains” – the rough equivalent of the cost of a single imported French oyster served in a more formal oyster-themed restaurant in China.
Other items on Hao De Xi’s menu include barbequed tiger shrimp on offer for CNY 13 (USD 1.94, EUR 1.66) each, and various shellfish items from North Korea including “yellow clams” at CNY 19 (USD 2.83, EUR 2.43) each. Incidentally, while North Korea has a reputation in China for fresh, clean produce, such imports are currently meant to be subject to a trade sanction related to Pyongyang’s nuclear program.
