Burnest Cafe, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Bird's nest soup has been a prized delicacy among Chinese people for centuries

dating back to the Tang Dynasty. 

Yàn wō (燕窝) as they call it in China literally translates to "swallow's nest".

 They are made from swallow birds' hardened saliva.

Also referred to as "the Caviar of the East" is among the most expensive foods on the planet.

Edible bird's nest can either be cooked in savory soups or dessert and served warm or cold.

 My mom would boil the bird's nest in water with rock sugar for a few hours and add some medicinal herbs. 
Then she would wake me up in the middle of the night  and asked me to drink the soup. 

They say bird's nest soup is best consumed on an empty stomach 

to allow the body to absorb more of the nutrients.

 I really miss having a bowl of this pure deliciousness.

To prepare the soup, the bird's nest is rinsed in water then soaked in warm water 

to allow it to expand. Then you can either steam or boil.

Some bird's nest nowadays come pre-prepared and are bottled for convenience.

Stewed bird's nest with almond soup

Chocolate lava cake with bird's nest and vanilla ice cream

 

Mango and sago with bird's nest in mango pudding

Burnest 八方燕 
G/F, 35 Jardine's Bazaar, 

Causeway Bay, Hong Kong