Lee Kum Kee Factory Tour
Friday, March 19 1999

Toshi and I left the Korean barbeque early because we wanted to participate on the OISP tour of the Lee Kum Kee factory. Quite a lot of people were going: Yoshi, Dr. Fu, Alice, Mitsuyo, James, Ayumi, Kaori, Yoko, Miho, Si Wai, Angela, Nga, etc... We all took the KCR to Tai Po Market and then took a bus to the factory. At the factory, we were all given a lecture on the history of the company. The famous oyster sauce was made by the founder in 1888 by accident. He accidently left oyster burning in the wok and thus was the birth of oyster sauce. Currently Lee Kum Kee is the #1 food company brand in Asia. There are now many different kinds of oyster sauce such as premium, low cost, vegetarian, etc... Also produced are soy sauces and instant mixes and sauces for cooking. During the Q&A session, I asked about the XO sauce and they told us that it was made from seafood and very premium stuff. James asked about the difference in taste of oyster sauce in Japan and the reply was that there are adjustments to the oyster sauce distributed to every country. Dr. Fu asked if oyster sauce had a secret recipe. The ingredients are all listed but it is the processing which is the secret. We all donned coats and hats, touring the factory. There were very huge vats. We also saw the bottling process. Later we entered the research lab which was filled with many small test tubes. The taste testing would also be conducted in this lab. The tour wasn't exactly very long. All of us were given a free sample of oyster sauce. After taking group photos we all took the bus back to CUHK.


our tour guide in front of Lee Kum Kee products


James, I, Toshi, & Yoshi in uniforms


Group photo in front of the statue of the founder


Toshi & James advertising Lee Kum Kee Oyster Sauce in front of a red hot Ferrari