Basque gastronomy reaches China

First Basque restaurant will open its doors in Shanghai,China in about a month and a half. It was Jon Alaña’s idea, the Basque young chef who has been living in China for more than two years.

The new restaurant’s name will be Kuluxka and one of its aims will be to create a warm atmosphere mixing modern decoration with traditional Basque cuisine. There will be room for only about 30 people, so that the Basque cook also wants to take part in catering business.

In his interview with the Basque radio station Radio Euskadi, Alaña has admitted that it is not easy to take a decision. "It is complicated, first of all because of the language. It is convenient to have a Chinese associate to make things easier. It is difficult to get licenses, permits, everything costs a lot of money", he said.

Nevertheless, Alaña has taken advantage of the good economic situation Shanghai is living at the moment. The city’s quick economic growth has changed citizens and businessmen’ perspectives. The Basque chef thinks that among "so much diversity and consumerism, people look for quality", and that is what he exactly wants to offer.

Casseroles, 'pinchos' and a great variety of traditional dishes. Alaña has elaborated a menu with the best of Basque cuisine. Since he started living in China, he has realized that one of Chinese people’s favorite plates is hake in a green sauce.