It could be considered one of the highest of compliments: a country renowned for its culinary expertise, appreciating the flavours of another.

Throughout Italy, Chinese food is growing in popularity.

In the capital Rome, chef Gianni Catani proudly shows off one of his many Chinese restaurants he has opened, including The Dumpling Bar, for its specialization in... yes, you guessed it, Chinese dumplings.

Catani has been working with Chinese food for over 40 years and says it started out "as a hobby because I loved this type of cuisine so much."

After several years training in China with one of China's top chefs, Jing Shan, he returned to Italy. In 2015 he opened the country's first ever Chinese dumpling shop to showcase not only dumplings, but authentic Chinese gastronomic culture. It was a success.

"Chef Jing also brought a very, very new approach that not only told the story of the original Hong Kong dumplings, but also, above all, the dishes of traditional Chinese cuisine, those that until then had never been tasted in Italy," Catani said.

Over a delicious spread of dumplings and other Chinese dishes, Catani told CGTN Europe how the first appearance of Chinese food in Italy was in the 1920s.

"Initially, it wasn't liked at all, so they transformed it, adapting it to Italian tastes. It's famous – we call it Westernized Chinese cuisine."

Then in the 1980s, when other ethnic food restaurants began sprouting up across the country, Catanti says Italians started looking for more authentic flavors. He attributes this to his success.

"I must say that they began to appreciate these flavors much more and especially important flavors. In our restaurant we make Pollo kung pao, a spicy chicken," he added.

"We eat a lot of chili, we make soups, spaghetti, handmade spaghetti, so many things. Peking duck, another roast with very important flavors that until a few years ago were completely unknown, is now very popular."

Across town, in Rome's de facto Chinatown, the Chinese restaurant Hang Zhou is arguably the most famous Chinese restaurant in town – in part thanks to its gregarious owner, Sonia, who has become a local celebrity.

But also, says restaurant manager Daniele Ye, it's for their accommodating dishes.

"Our menu was created together with our customers and this created this bridge between the typical Chinese flavors and the Italian palate."

Daniele is standing in front of a large wall covered in photos of former Chinese Chairman Mao Zedong flanked by pictures of restaurant owner Sonia with some of Italy’s top personalities.

Sonia's uncle opened the restaurant when he arrived in Italy in the early 1980s from Huzhou, where the restaurant got its name, and the family has watched it grow ever since.

"In the last few years in particular," says Daniel, "Italians are starting to get to know Chinese culture really well and discovering these dishes can be found here. 

"One other favorite is definitely Peking duck, especially during Chinese New Year. We prepare about 15 pieces directly because we know we'll sell everything that day."

There are currently more than 1,600 Chinese restaurants across Italy, with that number increasing annually to satisfy tastebuds of all kinds, reflecting a broader respect for rich culture.