Customers’ Perception of the Authenticity of a Cantonese Restaurant

The term ‘authenticity’ is becoming increasingly precious in this world full of hyper reality. Authenticity has been an important attribute of the tourism industry as well as the food sector. This study explores diners’ perception of authenticity of Cantonese cuisine, with Shang Palace of the Kowloon Shangri-La Hong Kong as the study base. This study draws on a triple data source, composed of in-depth interviews, online comments and participant observations. Systematic content analysis performed using NVivo 10 leads to findings that food, ambience, and environment, as well as staff members, are important factors that influence customers’ perception of authenticity in the restaurant. Comparative analysis of the data confirms the importance of customers’ knowledge and experience of Cantonese cuisine as a factor that influences their perception.