> It sounded like it was something he was personally familiar with (he's
> originally from one of those little villages, and goes back every few
> years). I emailed him your post; hopefully, he can comment on the
> difference.

well, if it was a korean restaurant, it probably wasnt the cantonese dish
that your friend is thinking of.

>> many korean restaurants do serve shikhye after the end of the meal, esp
>> in summer time. it is, as you say, nutty and a bit sweet. a good way
>> to end meals.
>
> This was served when we first sat down.

i suppose it could be served first. i dont eat out too much but i dont
remember getting any shikhye from the get go. but restaurants are
individual things and theyre run by people who do all sorts of things.

however, you dont mention having eaten any rice grains. maybe they only
gave you the malt water? do you think it possible that you tasted a
sweet, malty flavour in the water?

heck, maybe the owners of that restaurant are cantonese and they made
what your friend recognised.

the best thing would be to go back and ask if it was shikhye or not and
if it wasnt, find out from them what it was.

if it was a korean restaurant, though, id bet that it was shikhye.

--
im good for nothing, but im good.
-010522 hjk