The 2016 Olympic Games have just ended, but the spirit of Brazil lives on in Beijing. Brazilian cuisine is making a splash in the culinary world of the Chinese capital.
The gastronomy of Brazil is a melting pot of dishes that feature mainly European, African and Ameri-Indian influences. But "Churrasco" or Brazilian barbeque is at the heart of the food culture. There can be more than 20 different types of meat to choose from at a churrascaria, or Brazilian steakhouse.
The Brazilian chefs then bring the freshest cuts on skewers to your table and slice the barbequed meats straight onto your plate. For non-carnivores, it can be a challenge.
"Sadly, Brazilian food is not so much for vegetarians. They are very heavy on meat consumption there, particularly steak, chicken, and especially barbeque. So if you're a big fan of barbeque, that's a great place to really enjoy," said Michelle Tang, culinary expert of the Hutong.
So, is there a difference between the grill in Brazil and the one in Beijing?
"I don't see any difference between the meat that we eat in Brazil and here. It's very delicious, it has the same taste," said Gabriel Rosa Nuernberg, restaurant guest.
Just like Brazilians, the Chinese also are heavy meat consumers. Data shows that in Brazil, one person eats almost 80 kilograms of meat per year. That compares with almost 50 kilograms per person in China.
"In China the barbeque is very popular, everyone loves it. The Brazilian barbeque is actually just another way to cook. But the meat and the way how they cook is very similar. The taste is very close to Chinese people's taste, so I think that's why Chinese people love Brazilian barbeque," said Angela Chen, president & GM of Latina Restaurant.
Feijoada—deriving from the Portuguese word 'feijao,' meaning beans—is another national dish of Brazil and eaten with rice. Other typical Brazilian dishes include: cheese buns, fish stews with coconut milk, and fried bananas with cinnamon sugar. And no meal is complete without Brazil's national cocktail: Caipirinha, made of cachaca, sugar and lime.
