Maxim's mooncakes reflect Hong Kong's culinary appeal for mainland visitors

"Chinese mainland tourists are also an important group of customers at this time of year, because our mooncakes are popular souvenirs for them to take back for families and friends," Tong says.

Data shows that about 20.9 mil-lion Chinese mainland travelers traveled to Hong Kong in the first half year of 2017, with Hong Kong's diverse culinary culture replacing shopping as the main attraction.

"You can immerse yourself in the dining culture of Hong Kong at our eateries," Tong says.

The group operates a wide range of fast food shops, bakeries, and restaurants in the special administrative region, offering various cuisines including Cantonese, Japanese and Southeast Asian.

Reservations are needed at some of the company's popular restaurants, such as Maxim's Palace Chinese Restaurant, where tourists can enjoy a variety of dim sum from pushcarts and sample authentic Cantonese dishes, which showcases the original taste of the ingredients without using monosodium glutamate.

"If you go to Cafe Landmark in downtown Hong Kong for an elegant afternoon tea or meal, be prepared to bump into some local celebrities, who like to frequent the place," Tong says.

Another recommendation he gives for visiting foodies is the Cheesecake Factory, which is known for its extensive menu, including dozens of signature cheesecakes and desserts.

Tong says the group's diverse brands with their good reputations and standardized operations have ensured its mainland business has grown over the past decade. Some of their food outlets have now opened in first- and second-tier cities, increasing the group's popularity.

The group is now bringing three of its restaurants to Beijing.

The Cantonese restaurant Maxim's Jade Garden, Cafe Landmark and the Cheesecake Factory will be open one after another in Beijing's Wangfujing commercial area before the first quarter of 2018.

"It's good news for gourmets from Beijing that we're bringing three restaurants to the city for the first time," Tong says.

xulin@chinadaily.com.cn