French food and fashion advice at crepe shop

Kang Wei

Chinese Frenchwoman Helen Zeng likes to talk to her customers when making crepes at her restaurant in Coco Park, Futian District. The topics are wide-ranging: from food and fashion to cosmetics and yachts.

“I enjoy sharing my thoughts with others,” said Zeng, who opened the crepe shop earlier this year.

Zeng ran a company selling French cosmetics and perfume before making a foray into the restaurant business, first opening a French restaurant in Central Walk and later a restaurant specializing in crepes, a French delicacy, in Coco Park.

Zeng said her crepe house is as much a place for cultural exchange as a place where people eat.

“I want to show my customers what family-style French food is like, so they will know French food can be simple, nutritious, healthy and delicious,” she said.

To ensure the quality, Zeng imports cream, ham and chocolate syrup. “For most expat customers, I don’t have to explain much to them. They know what crepes are and they know what they are getting the moment they take a bite,” Zeng said.

Crepes are thin pancakes made from flour. The pancakes, which are served with a variety of fillings, are associated with Brittany, an island in northwestern France. Zeng said she, her husband and their two daughters spend at least one month on the island every summer.

“People on the island are nice and romantic. They enjoy a slow-paced life. The beautiful coastline, the nice sandy beaches, the stunning views and the great foods ... I feel relaxed and refreshed every time I spend some time there.”

Although Zeng’s father was French, she faced culture shock when she moved to France as a teenager. “I was amazed when I saw my grandmother — who was in her 90s back then — wear makeup, invite relatives and friends to her parties, and dress up to meet them,” she said. Her grandmother’s passion for life and style led Zeng to study fashion design, although she never pursued it as a career.

Zeng has simple advice about how a woman can look more elegant. “Remember to always wear makeup,” she said. “Tidy yourself up and you will be fine.”