Brazilian barbecue's fine but you can't beat home-style cooking

China Town, one of the largest Chinese restaurants in Rio de Janeiro, experienced the World Cup heat with more Chinese tourists come to satisfy their homesick stomach during their game-watching tour in Brazil. [Photo by Zhang Fan/chinadaily.com.cn]

It is said the strongest bond between a person and their hometown is childhood food. The theory proved true when Chinese restaurants in Brazil celebrated an increase in trade during the World Cup.

"There are so many more Chinese tourists coming to my restaurant lately. My employees are much busier than before," said Chen Piti, the owner of a Chinese restaurant named China Town in Rio de Janeiro.

Chen's restaurant is not located near traditional tourist zones such as the famous beaches, but is in the northern part of the city. Though it takes time to drive there from the beach, many Chinese tourists still visit to fill their homesick stomachs.

"There are so many Chinese football fans eating in my restaurant these days. The travel agency needs to book dinner at least one day earlier so I have the time to prepare," said Chen after receiving a phone call from a local travel agency.

"Fine, there will be another group tomorrow," she smiled after hanging up.

The group included more than 50 fans in Rio for the game between Chile and Spain at the Maracana Stadium.

To face such a crowd, Chen needs to go to the market more often than usual to provide enough dishes for her customers.

"Brazil has a very strict system to guarantee the safety of the food in restaurants. I tend not to buy too many ingredients at one time in case they will not be fresh enough," said Chen, "but the increase in Chinese customers requires me to prepare much more now."

China Town is one of the largest Chinese restaurants in Rio with a history of 22 years. Chen said the restaurant has a good reputation among local people with 80 percent of its regulars being Brazilians.

"There are many different eating habits between Chinese customers and Brazilian customers. Chinese tend to order much more than they can eat because they are so excited to see their traditional food in this remote country so they want to have it all," Chen smiled. "I sometimes suggest they order less but I totally understand their feelings."

Chen's restaurant is not the only one to benefit; other Chinese outlets in Rio are also enjoying an increased turnover. A Chinese restaurant near Copacabana beach, for example, is selling significantly more seafood dishes during the past two weeks.

About 8,000 Chinese fans have traveled to Brazil for the World Cup. Liu Hao, manager of the country's Amazon Travel Agency, said there is a sharp increase of Chinese tourists these days because of the football.

"The number is several times larger and they are all football fans," said Liu."The first meal I arrange is always a Brazilian barbecue which is the most famous and typical local cuisine, but they will always ask to have Chinese food later.

"Maybe that's what we call homesick," Liu laughed.