by Rachel Au (Originally published September 24, 2020, updated on September 15, 2024) An interesting sight appears every August in Hong Kong. Mooncake advertisements begin to line wall after wall at any given MTR train station, starring celebrities ranging from veteran comedian Eric Tsang to Japanese actress Alice Hirose. Such is the result of aggressive marketing campaigns by various Hong Kong bakeries, hoping to capture maximum market share during the sliver of time mooncakes are consumed – the Mid Autumn Festival. But what is the Mid Autumn Festival? Why do Chinese communities across the globe celebrate it with such enthusiasm? Here, we explore what the festival is and the legends behind it, each a story that has been passed down ...
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by Rachel Au (Originally published in 2020, updated in September 2024) Aside from being Hong Kong’s cradle for countless culinary ventures, Tai Hang is also home to one of the city’s most spectacular festivities– the annual Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance. This Mid-Autumn Festival, treat yourself to a dazzling display of fire and fury, where around 300 people parade a 67-meter-long dragon lined with sticks of incense from head to tail, enshrouding the neighborhood in a warm, smoky glow. How the fire dragon dance began Legend has it that this 138-year-old tradition began when Tai Hang was struck with three consecutive disasters a few days before the Mid-Autumn Festival in the 19th century. Still a small Hakka village at the ...
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Many of our Foodie participants absolutely love the barbecued pork (char siu) tasting on our Central & Sheung Wan Foodie Tour. Some even ask us how to make them at home. We published the home-made recipe below during COVID when we could not go out to dine much. We are re-publishing it now. Reading this already makes us salivate. Try it and let us know how it compares to the ones you tried on our food tour. Cook Time: 30 minutesPreparation Time: 15 minutesMarinate Time: overnight Ingredients 600 gm / 21 oz / 1 catty Boston Butt/Pork Shoulder/梅頭 Marinade:70 gm / 2.5 oz Maltose / 麥芽糖 （or replace with honey but best to use maltose)60 ml / 2 oz Light ...
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(Originally published in 2019, updated in September 2024.) Learn how to make moon cakes with Hong Kong Foodie! Let us bring you into the kitchen of a 58-year-old Chinese bakery in Sham Shui Po. The pastry chefs here are ramping up the production of moon cakes for the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival. If you are visiting in September, be sure to join us on our Sham Shui Po Foodie Tour for our annual moon cake tasting. You might even have a chance to experience the behind-the-scenes of moon cake making at this legendary Chinese bakery on our Foodie Tour! Here’s a sneak peek of what they do in their kitchen: Prepare the moon cake crust In this traditional Chinese bakery, the ...
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by Rachel Au (Originally published in August 2020, updated in July 2023) Traditional Chinese Medicine stands by the practice of eating with the seasons. As the Chinese saying 不時不食 goes (pronounced “bud si bud sik” in Cantonese), foods that are not in season should not be eaten. Eating foods that are in season have multiple benefits. Fruits and vegetables will taste better, grocery shopping will cost less, and the environment will fare better. Traditional Chinese medicine has its own arguments for eating with the seasons as well. Ancient Chinese medical practitioners found out that our dietary requirements change with the seasons, as our bodies have varying needs depending on the weather and climate. With summer being hot in most countries, ...
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Hong Kong, a captivating fusion of East and West, is a city that ignites the senses and leaves travelers with unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or bidding farewell to this vibrant metropolis as an expat, there are countless reasons to cherish the memories of your time here. As you explore the city’s unique neighborhoods and indulge in its culinary delights, don’t forget to bring back a piece of Hong Kong with you as a cherished souvenir or share it as a thoughtful parting gift. Here are eight must-have souvenirs from Hong Kong to commemorate your journey or to offer a piece of this city to those departing: 1. XO Sauce We are foodies at heart. When ...
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Hello from Hong Kong! One of the best cities in Asia for foodies, Hong Kong offers a crazy 15,000 restaurants and has the highest density of restaurants in the world. The city’s cuisine is mostly Cantonese-based, but offers glimpses of its colonial past with its East-meets-West offerings. When it comes to Hong Kong food, it is, of course, our passion. Check out our list of the 19 must-eat foods in Hong Kong, many of which are featured in our fun-filled and belly-filling Hong Kong Foodie tours! 1. Pineapple Buns Kicking off this list, we have the quintessential Hong Kong classic. Mostly served in bakeries and cha chaan tengs, the pineapple bun is a soft, fluffy roll blanketed in a crumbly, ...
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It’s Christmas Gift shopping time again and also the time of the year to eat, drink, and be merry (although we think every day is time to indulge ourselves)! Whether you’re shopping for your foodie friends or your foodie self, this Christmas gift guide has it all covered for you. From premium artisanal tea to local art depicting delicious food scenes, here is our curation of Hong Kong’s best food-related gifts. What’s more? This year’s Foodie Christmas Gift Guide only features local shops and entrepreneurs. We firmly believe supporting small- and medium local businesses! 1. Healthy Artisanal Tea by Pekoe&Petals If you are shopping for healthy Christmas gifts for foodies, we recommend amazing artisanal teas by our sister company, Pekoe&Petals. ...
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Order our series of Hong Kong Foodie Postcards, created in collaboration with renowned Hong Kong illustrator Vansketcher! If you’ve been looking for beautiful Hong Kong postcards to send your loved ones, look no further. These postcards showcase Hong Kong’s unique food and living culture. Each set contains four hand-drawn postcards, featuring the foods and heritage attractions you’ve come across on our Foodie Tours. There has never been a series of Hong Kong postcards more perfect for foodies! Simply write a heartfelt message on the back and mail one to each of your food-loving friends. They’re bound to love them, and you! Check out the four sets of Hong Kong postcards: Sham Shui Po Foodie Postcard Set The star of this ...
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Don’t forget – Mother’s Day is just around the corner! Got anything planned for the special lady in your life this May 9? If you mom is a foodie like we are, you’re going to find this gift guide very helpful. We’ve put together our favorite Mother’s Day gifts, treats, and deals available in Hong Kong, all of which your food-loving mom is bound to adore. 1. Morton’s The Steakhouse x CHANEL Beauty – Feast and look fab! Looking to pamper your mom inside and out? Morton’s The Steakhouse and CHANEL Beauty are here to help! The unlikely duo (classic steakhouse and iconic beauty brand) is/are partnering to give moms dining at Morton’s a complimentary eye make-up session CHANEL Beauty’s ...
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