Catharina Cheung

Sure, there’s plenty to do when exploring Hong Kong, but if you’re planning for a big date – well, that’s a whole different game. Lucky for you, we’re here to point you in the right direction. Whether it’s a sweet first date, a special occasion, or something to reignite that spark, here are some great date ideas that will get those butterflies going. RECOMMENDED: 💕 Hong Kong’s most romantic restaurants💐 Best flower shops and florists in Hong Kong🍫 Chocolate shops we love in Hong Kong

February might be the shortest month of the year, but don’t let that stop you from filling it up with all kinds of fun and excitement. Whether you're looking for date ideas on Valentine’s Day or something delicious for the foodies, we’ve picked out some of the best activities happening across town this month – so get busy! RECOMMENDED:  🏝 Secret islands to explore in Hong Kong 📸 Hong Kong’s most Instagrammable restaurants

It has been said that poon choi was originally invented by early residents of the New Territories who cooked up the colossal dish for celebratory occasions such as weddings, births and Chinese New Year. These days, it has been adopted as a traditional Chinese New Year food and become appropriated by mainstream media, making the origins of the adored fare even more cloudy. Nevertheless, despite all the stories, the most plausible one is also the most bittersweet. Photograph: Courtesy Ming Pavilion / Island Shangri-La Legend has it that during the late Song Dynasty, when Mongol troops were invading China, the emperor fled to the areas around Guangdong province and Hong Kong. When the royal family and their army passed through the New Territories, the locals wanted to host them but their resources were limited. Thus, they gathered all the best ingredients they had available, cooked them, and because there were not enough containers, they put the food inside large wooden washbasins – giving birth to the celebrated dish.Naturally, preparing food fit for royalty could be quite time consuming and, traditionally, it would take three days. Firewood would be collected on the first day for the cooking marathon that would follow, and the second day was used to slaughter the livestock and marinate the meat. The last day was for cooking the ingredients, which could take over 10 hours. Photograph: Courtesy Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel There are at least eight different types of main ingred

Not sure how to spend your free time this week? We’ve rounded up some of the best happenings across the city – from art exhibitions and food pop-ups to music nights and kid-friendly activities – so you don’t have to go searching. But if all else fails, you can always turn to one of Hong Kong’s best restaurants, or cross things off our ultimate Hong Kong checklist. Whatever you decide, we’ve got you covered for the next seven days. RECOMMENDED:  🎨 Art exhibitions to check out right now📆 December events in Hong Kong🥹 Free things to do in Hong Kong

Staying in Hong Kong for the Lunar New Year holidays? There’s plenty of festive activities to keep you busy over the three-day holiday. From vibrant installations to energetic lion and dragon dances, there’s no shortage of celebrations to behold. Here are some of our recommendations for Lunar New Year things to do and see around town for the Year of the Horse, curated for maximum enjoyment and auspiciousness.   RECOMMENDED: 🥢 The best Chinese New Year menus to check out 🌺 13 auspicious fruits and flowers for Chinese New Year

You don’t need any occasion to show your appreciation for someone with some beautiful blooms, but they sure do make a celebration that much more special. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner – and we’re not calling you out here – and even if you don’t have a lavish present or a Michelin-starred booking in the works, a beautiful bouquet of flowers can still be a lovely gift to melt someone’s heart. From well-established spots to modern florists with a hipster spin, here are some of our favourite places to pick up blooms. RECOMMENDED:  🕰 The latest Hong Kong shopping news🛍 Places for cheap shopping

Looking to make your weekend worthwhile? You’ve come to the right place. Whether you want to catch some live music, check out a new art exhibit, or just find a casual spot to relax with friends, Hong Kong knows how to keep you busy. Come rain or shine, day or night, here’s everything you need to plan the perfect weekend.  RECOMMENDED:  📆 Hong Kong events in December🎡 Top attractions in Hong Kong🛍️ Your ultimate Hong Kong checklist 2025

Gatherings with family and friends are staples of Lunar New Year activities in Hong Kong. While many Chinese restaurants in the city will serve up seasonal menus populated with dishes carrying auspicious meanings, it’s also common for locals to gather at home around a poon choi. Literally meaning ‘basin dish’, this traditional food signifies unity and prosperity in a layering of sought-after ingredients in Cantonese cuisine, most commonly premium fresh and dried seafood. Luckily for you, we’ve curated some of Hong Kong’s best poon choi offerings for Lunar New Year 2026 so you can kick off your Year of the Horse with ease. READ MORE: Familiarise yourself with the customs and traditions of Lunar New Year before it starts!

Hello, folks! We’re officially in January of 2026 – you know, the month when we all pretend we’re going to stick to our New Year’s resolutions. We’re certainly not here to judge, and besides, a new year means a whole new social calendar for new experiences. So, whip out your calendar and pencil in those dates, we guarantee you’ll recover from the post-holiday blues in no time. RECOMMENDED: Plan for your next break with our guide on how to maximise your public holidays in 2026!

Valentine’s Day is coming up soon, and you know what that means: romance is in the air. It’s commonly repeated that the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach, but who said you need to be the one cooking it? Let these restaurants take the hard work out of Valentine’s Day with their limited-time menus. (You’ll still need to bring the gift though.) RECOMMENDED: Continue your lovey-dovey celebrations in one of the most romantic hotels in Hong Kong.

From menu takeovers by renowned chefs to creative baked goodies and exclusive pop-ups, Hong Kong’s food and drink scene is always hard at work to keep us happy, well-fed, and forever curious. If you’re a bona fide foodie who's always on the lookout for the latest eats, turn your attention to these delicious happenings in the city right now. RECOMMENDED:  😋 New restaurants to check out in Hong Kong🍽️ 50 best restaurants in Hong Kong🍜 Unique Hong Kong dishes you need to try

There are so many great Hong Kong landmarks that it can be hard to know where to start when you’re playing host to out-of-town guests or just want to play tourist yourself. Use this compact guide to the top attractions to get you started with the greatest hits of Hong Kong. We’ve shortlisted our favourite sights and spots in the city, including a variety of culture spots, historical venues and more modern favourites. Landmarks like the Bank of China Tower and the Peak Tram are obvious choices, but we’ve also highlighted newcomers and lesser-known gems, such as a Zaha Hadid modernist masterpiece.RECOMMENDED: If visiting all the sites makes you hungry and tired, refuel at one of the city’s best restaurants.

Premium art book publisher Taschen is holding its biannual sale soon, so if you’ve ever wanted one of their beautiful coffee table books, now’s the time to act! From February 5 to 8, Taschen will be offering discounts of up to 75 percent off, both online and in their flagship stores worldwide – and for Hong Kong, this means their location in Tai Kwun. Browse through books exploring a wide range of topics, from art, fashion, photography, and design, to architecture, travel, and even more obscure topics like witchcraft and esoteric teachings. This season we’ve got our eyes on Spirit Worlds from ‘The Library of Esoterica’ series, a relatively new volume released last September exploring art’s relationship with death and other realms; The Gourmand’s Lemon, which deep dives into the literary, linguistic, historic, and gastronomic influence of lemons, and make us salivate the entire time; and the stunning Japan 1900: A Portrait in Colour, capturing the Land of the Rising Sun just as the country opened its doors to the world after two centuries of seclusion. Taschen’s sale runs next week, on February’s first Thursday to Sunday, but in case you’d like to browse the tomes before purchasing, there is an exclusive early shopping day on Wednesday, February 4, held only in stores.

This park and play area in between the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park and the Western Wholesale Food Market is an absolute dream for little ones. Featuring cloud-shaped bouncing areas, slides, climbing frames, and even sand and water play areas, there is plenty to entertain children with energy to burn off, while others can simply chill at the seating areas and enjoy the city’s unmatched harbour views.

Located in The Henderson, this is the brainchild of Seoul native and former professional snowboarder, chef Akira Back. With over 20 global locations, he brings Japanese-Korean-American cuisine to the table with seasonal tasting menus. Expect dishes such as the famous AB Tuna Pizza, featuring ponzu aioli and white truffle oil drizzled over fresh tuna sashimi slices on a wafer-thin crust, and Toro Tartare — served with fresh caviar and nine variations of condiments inspired by the traditional Korean royal dish of Gujeolpan. There is also their Brother from Another Mother roll, made with unagi, anago tempura, and shaved foie gras torchon.

Building on their seven-year brand identity as a hotspot for authentic vinyl DJ-ing, graffiti art, and Japanese chill drinking culture, 8055 is back in the game after their previous Causeway Bay and Wan Chai iterations with a new home in the heart of Hong Kong’s nightlife district, Lan Kwai Fong. Expect the warmth and pops of analogue sound being played all night, with a focus on Japanese hip-hop, jazz, funk, and city pop – a sound that’s pretty unique to our nightlife scene. To pair with the music, 8055’s drinks focus on premium Japanese whiskies and umeshu plum wine. Their signature tipple is an elegant, simple umeshu soda, but you can also truly do things the Japanese way by leaving the choice up to the bartender, omakase-style. Staying true to the brand’s history, 8055’s new venue will allow guests to freely draw, scribble, and unleash creativity all over the walls with graffiti markers, so if you’ve ever left your mark in bars like Not2Sweet, you’ll want to do the same here as well.

ComplexCon Hong Kong 2026 is the third Hong Kong edition of this major youth culture, music, fashion, and arts festival. Taking place on the weekend of March 21 and 22 at the AsiaWorld-Expo, it will comprise Complex Live! Concerts for music and performances and the ComplexCon Marketplace for brand, artist, and creator showcases. Blackpink’s Jennie and American rapper Yeat have been confirmed as headliners for the concerts, with the addition of the legendary Jay Park (March 21) and South Korean R&B and hip-hop artist Crush (March 22) also set to perform. K-pop boy band Lngshot, co-ed sensation All Day Project, singer Amy Lo, Chinese rapper Skai IsYourGod, beatboxers Wing and Hiss, and producer and songwriter R.Tee complete the eclectic roster of performances this year. For some idea of what to expect, last year the Marketplace featured more than 150 brands and 400 artists and creators, showcasing unique products, limited-edition merch drops, collaborations, and coveted collectibles. Attendees can also browse the official ComplexCon Gift Shop, which will carry exclusive items from the artist directors of ComplexCon, including Kasing Lung – the creator of the viral Labubu, and the artistic director of this year’s ComplexCon. Read our guide to ComplexCon 2026 for details.

Hong Kong’s spring electronic music event is back under the neon lights this year! In partnership with Sunken, Remy Kerstens and Aurélien Arbez are once again transforming the Big Top at the AIA Carnival into a full-scale dancefloor for one night only. Leading the line-up is the iconic German DJ and electronic music veteran Sven Väth, joined by Ken Fan of the Café del Mar Ibiza sunset experience fame. The night will also see the Nodes Crew, Leon (FR), Mo-Shi, Milam, as well as Nat Dunn behind the decks. General entry tickets range from $580 to $780 inclusive of one drink, and additional drink tokens can also be purchased on the ticketing page. We’ll see you all out there!

Tai Kwun’s yearly lights and projection display is back again, and this year sees the Parade Ground and historic Barrack Block façade as the backdrop for a dive into funky disco. Design and technology studio The Collective has been brought in to create Discotheque Dreams, a production which recalls the revolutionary arrival of disco in Asia. Watch a neon dreamscape unfold across the walls, displaying culturally relevant crafts from both East and West such as lion dance and martial arts films, to Hollywood classics from the 70s – a reflection of Hong Kong’s own mixed identity. For the first time in the five years since InnerGlow has been held, this edition uses technology that allows for real-time audience interaction, inviting visitors to step into the show themselves alongside the projections and live performances. We can already just see everyone boogie-ing in the main courtyard, surrounded by multi-coloured swirling lights and the pulsing rhythm.

Mainland Chinese karaoke chain Mei KTV has opened its first Hong Kong flagship location in Central, in the nightlife district of Lan Kwai Fong. Mei KTV is known for integrating technology such as AI and virtual reality into traditional karaoke. Instead of just plain old belting into a mic, they offer features like AI-powered sound alterations and metaverse-inspired music video production for a more immersive experience catered to a younger crowd. The Hong Kong flagship promises luxurious rooms fitted with full-screen displays and performance stages, along with interactive facilities such as a virtual DJ mixing station.   

The Rescued Feast, billed as Asia’s first-ever sustainable dining experience where all dishes are made using food surplus, is hosting their last dinner of 2025 and donating the proceeds to help the affected residents of Tai Po. This special edition of The Rescued Feast will transform surplus ingredients, food scraps, and unwanted produce into a gourmet meal. Aside from raising awareness about Hong Kong’s food waste, the event will also turn over all the net proceeds to Bethune House, a charity organisation that provides emergency shelter, food, and essential care for migrant domestic workers and others in need, and who are currently supporting those affected by the fire at Wang Fu Court. Tickets are available for $550 per person, which includes the dinner buffet, one drink, a goodie bag with gifts from the event sponsors, and a discount code for Fenxiang since the evening will turn into a late-night disco. You can also purchase raffle tickets to try your luck at winning a range of sustainable prizes during the dinner. These cost $50 for two entries and $100 for five entries – there’s no limit to how many you can buy to increase your winning chances

As the name suggests, this is a little boutique tucked away in Lee Garden, but don’t let its dimunitive size fool you into ignoring it. The Little Shop stocks a carefully curated range of bags, jewellery, scarves, accessories, fragrances, and more – all thoughtfully and deliberately stocked from niche brands around the world. If you’re into one-of-a-kind items, whether as gifts or for yourself, then check out this store.

In response to one of Hong Kong’s most devastating tragedies in several years, JIA Group’s chef will unite at Louise for a one-night-only charitable dinner that goes towards aiding the Hong Kong Red Cross. Culinary talents from Louise, Estro, Mono, Andō, Leela, and 22 Ships will be participating in a cross-cultural menu that includes dishes such as red tuna  with Baikal caviar and Kyoho grapes, langoustines with Ecuadorian cacao expressions, Konkani cod fish curry, and yellow chicken with morel mushrooms and alba white truffles. Priced at $3,888 per diner, including food and wine, all proceeds from this dinner will be donated to the Hong Kong Red Cross, who have been on the frontlines of Tai Po providing emergency relief, shelter support, and psychosocial services to victims affected by the deadly fire.

Chubb Life is running a mini film festival to highlight the lives of dementia patients and their caregivers – the December schedule includes a screening of A Good Child. This Golden Horse Awards nominee is a Singaporean film based on the true story of well-known drag queen Sammi Zhen. Without giving too much away, the plot follows drag queen Jia Hao who returns home after years of estrangement when his mother is diagnosed with dementia. Seeing an opportunity to heal and mend bridges, he leverages her failing memory to make his mother believe that he is a daughter instead of a son.  Catch this excellent queer story and brutally honest depiction of dementia on December 13 at Emperor Cinema in Central. 

Is drinking unhealthy? Well, yes, consuming alcohol in excess generally results in negative outcomes, but perhaps the whole thing’s a little less dire so if you’re doing it at a bar that serves cocktails inspired by Hong Kong herbal tea culture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Clan & Company Community Bar has been delighting Hongkongers with its unique, drinkable interpretations of the ‘Five Flavours’ of traditional Chinese medicine and Chinese cuisine, and their latest project takes mindful drinking to greater heights, from cha chaan teng to Victoria Harbour. Located on the outdoor terrace of the Michelin-starred French restaurant Épure, the Clan & Company Lounge is a new alfresco pop-up bar offering a cocktail experience lifted from Hong Kong’s golden era, blending local flavours with nostalgia and botanical goodness. For those who don’t know, Clan & Company is a heritage concept brand and bar by Magnolia Lab, a Hong Kong liqueur producer founded by a local bartender and a TCM practitioner, known for their modern revival of local herbal tea culture through the art of mixology. Reimagining traditional Chinese medicine into innovative cocktails, Clan & Company’s philosophy is centred around crafting “liquid remedies” designed to heal, soothe, and nourish.  Photograph: Courtesy Clan & Company Lounge / @clan.andco.lounge Inventive libations here are completely different to the menu in their cha chaan teng-themed Community Bar in Yau Ma Tei, and some new highlights here

Love dim sum and surreal imagery? You’re in good company. Hong Kong street artist Lousy, best known for his bold graphics resembling glyphs and pictorial shapes, is collaborating with viral food photographer-artist David Leung – also known as Davidgoodtime, who specialises in capturing reflected food images highlighting pareidolia – for a dynamic exhibition about dim sum and the ritual of yum cha.  Hosted at JPS Gallery, ‘Double Umami’ is an artistic ode to Hong Kong cuisine, reimagined through the unique lenses of two distinctly different creators, who shaped their love of dumplings and morning teas into a visual celebration of Hong Kong’s DNA.  Photograph: Courtesy JPS Gallery In the exhibition space, visitors will encounter a customised dim sum cart installation, decorated by David and Lousy, in addition to photographs depicting beloved dim sum dishes in Leung’s signature mirrored style, mounted inside bamboo steamers crafted by master artisan Lui Ming of Ming Sang Steel Bamboo Receptacle. ‘Crab’s Kid Burn & Sell’ shows siu mai in a different light, appearing almost like the face of a crustacean, while ‘Char Siu Cat No. 2’ draws parallels between char siu bao and felines. We also particularly liked the birdcage installation which houses real emu eggs and plastic cards from dim sum carts inscribed with the Chinese onomatopoeia for bird chirps. Photograph: Courtesy JPS Gallery Branching out from photography onto canvas and installation work for the first time, Leung is a

Art lovers and bookworms, our time has come! Premium art book publisher Taschen is once again coming back with their twice-yearly sale on their range of iconic, visually stunning coffee table books. Read on if you’re looking to spice up your bookshelf, or even stuck on a Valentine’s Day present. From February 5 to 8, you can get fantastic deals of up to 75 percent off on the Taschen website and in their flagship stores worldwide. These books span a wide range of categories including fashion, architecture, food, photography, travel, design, and of course art. We’re always scrolling through the Taschen catalogue and this season we’ve got our eyes on Spirit Worlds from ‘The Library of Esoterica’ series, a relatively new volume released last September exploring art’s relationship with death and other realms; The Gourmand’s Lemon, which deep dives into the literary, linguistic, historic, and gastronomic influence of lemons, and make us salivate the entire time; and the stunning Japan 1900: A Portrait in Colour, capturing the Land of the Rising Sun just as the country opened its doors to the world after two centuries of seclusion. Photograph: Courtesy Taschen The child in us who loved the Egyptology book is insisting that King Tut: The Journey through the Underworld is also on the list, which captures in detail Howard Carter’s historic excavation of the Egyptian boy king’s tomb. Meanwhile, we’re also loading our cart with Cultured Traveler from Taschen’s collaborative series with

Most of us are already familiar with Starbucks and its signature location-specific products, and while Hong Kong branches certainly stock a coveted collection, the San Francisco coffee chain’s new home inside the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) promises one-of-a-kind merchandise alongside beverage experiences that are fit for an emperor. Now open to the public, Starbucks’ new concept store brings tea-centred new menu items to an interior inspired by the museum’s Ming and Qing collections.  Photograph: Courtesy Starbucks The HKPM branch is the only Starbucks location in Hong Kong to sport a traditional Chinese calligraphy shop sign. The sign is modelled after those found on high streets during the Ming and Qing dynasties, with the coffee brand’s Chinese name artfully crafted by local calligrapher Westley Wong. Other design highlights include a mural by local artist Elsa Ngai, depicting the life cycle of a coffee tree in detail through mineral pigments and clay-based paints, as well as installations by local sculptor Leo Wong that interprets the humble coffee plant with traditional shan shui painting styles.  These fitting additions to the café are accompanied by an exclusive plum-flavoured beverage line. Using sweet and sour plum sauce and whole plums as bases, visitors can pair this traditional Chinese flavour with Starbucks’ coffee or oolong tea and enjoy it warm or iced as a tonic. Another exclusive menu item, the Turmeric Oatmilk Latte, similarly incorporates oriental fla

If you’ve ever stared at your old Polaroid shots and wanted to see them move, or watched old video clips and wished you could capture a shot as a keepsake, we have good news. Fujifilm has just released their brand-new hybrid instant camera that combines video capabilities with their iconic instant photo prints, in a best-of-both-worlds package named the instax mini Evo Cinema. Apart from its ability to capture both still images and videos, the first feature we loved was its vertical grip design, inspired by Fujifilm’s Fujica Single-8 8mm camera from the 60s. The physicality of holding a piece of machinery aloft that isn’t just a smartphone or those discreet little cameras favoured by vloggers and influencers tickles our brain right – it’s reminiscent of using an old-school camcorder, even if the way you hold it and take shots is different. Photograph: Courtesy Fuji Photo Products Co. On the opposite end of the lens sits an LCD monitor that acts as both viewfinder and the digital screen to select favourite shots to print. Users can single out still images from their clips to be printed into an instant photo – these cleverly come printed with a QR code that links to the actual video itself. Of course, normal Polaroids unmarred by the hyper-digital touch of QR codes can also be printed like any of Fujifilm’s instant cameras as well. Another key feature of the mini Evo Cinema is the Eras Dial, which applies visual effects inspired by different eras in time. Think the texture of

Just last month, Hong Kong’s bamboo scaffolding for the Heung Jiao Festival in Kam Tin – also known as the Da Jiu Festival – garnered international acclaim when it officially got certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest temporary bamboo altar structure. Standing at five stories high and over 40,000 sq ft, this massive structure was erected using more than 30,000 bamboo poles, and took a team of 17 craftsmen 60 days to assemble. The man leading this ambitious project was Master Lai Chi-ming, who is now one of approximately 10 theatre scaffolders remaining in Hong Kong. “I don’t need drawings or blueprints; I can start building as soon as I arrive on the site,” Master Lai says with a smile. He fell into the trade in his youth, ‘stealing skills’ by following his father, accumulating experience with hands-on practice before eventually becoming a master craftsman in his own right. Building bamboo theatres is a very different animal than erecting scaffolding for buildings. The latter largely relies on the structure of the building for support, while a theatre scaffold is built from the ground up, essentially forming a ‘castle in the sky’. This process hinges entirely on the craftsman’s visual judgement and ability to picture and design the structure in his mind – this sort of mental gymnastics requires immense experience and is really not something that computer technology can easily replicate. Photograph: Jenny Chan The theatre houses Chinese opera performances

Listen, we love a good beat drop or screaming chart-toppers like any other nighttime reveller in the city, but in this era of EDM and throwback pop-heavy party scene, it would be nice to enjoy something authentic that sounds different for once. Well, it looks like we got our wish, because a vinyl record-based bar has just announced they’ll be opening in Lan Kwai Fong. The brainchild of longtime friends Brian and Ah Hei, the 8055 vinyl bar has had previous iterations based in Causeway Bay and Wan Chai, which grew in popularity to welcome even local celebrities and creatives like Eason Chan and Tyson Yoshi as patrons. The pandemic eventually saw the shuttering of the bar – but not for good. Photograph: Courtesy 8055 Building on their seven-year brand identity as a hotspot for authentic vinyl DJ-ing, graffiti art, and Japanese chill drinking culture, 8055 is now back in the game with a new home in the heart of Hong Kong’s nightlife district, Lan Kwai Fong. Expect the warmth and pops of analogue sound being played all night, with a focus on Japanese hip-hop, jazz, funk, and city pop – a sound that’s pretty unique within our nightlife scene and, frankly, a breath of fresh air from all the other clubs around. To pair with the music, 8055’s drinks turn the focus on premium Japanese whiskies and umeshu plum wine. Their signature tipple is an elegant, simple umeshu soda, but you can also truly do things the Japanese way by leaving the choice up to the bartender, omakase-style. Stayi

Oh, snap! Kodak Apparel, a South Korean clothing brand officially authorised by Eastman Kodak, has opened its first-ever Hong Kong pop-up store at Airside in Kai Tak. Spanning a massive 2,500 sq ft, the space is a vibrant, retro tribute to the aesthetic of Kodak and film photography, with the brand’s iconic yellow and red as colour accents. If you’ve ever used the hashtag #35mm then you need to visit this time-limited concept store for photo ops and their store opening offers. Photograph: CH What are some highlights of Kodak Apparel in Hong Kong? Hong Kong’s Kodak Apparel store stocks a range of clothing, including the latest autumn/winter collection released at the same time as in Korea. Expect trendy t-shirts, sweaters, jackets, caps, bags, and more, all combining American vintage and Korean street flair. Apart from merch, the store has also taken much care in its design – from the Kodak light box camera at the tills and decorations on store mirrors, to the camera film-patterned pillars, everything looks like it could be a nice photo op. Photograph: CH Kodak Apparel’s store opening offers To celebrate its store launch in Hong Kong, they’ve got a range of offers and experiences for customers to enjoy. Spend a certain amount to redeem or purchase little treats such as limited-edition stickers, keychains, shopping bags, and even the Kodak Charmera digital camera blind box that everyone was going crazy for a while back. Photograph: CH There are also three Korean-style pho

Hong Kong has no shortage of quality French restaurants. In particular, we are most familiar with the elegance and intricacies of French cuisine which many establishments showcase with exceptional flair — think slicing into a micro-dish in a crystal-clad dining room with servers dressed to the nines. But there’s more to French cuisine than your usual fine-dining affair, and Chouchou is here to fill this gap. Set to open on January 26 along Wan Chai’s Ship Street, this contemporary brasserie brings traditional home-style dining to an elevated, Art Nouveau space, with a menu that arguably highlights the crème de la crème of French cuisine: comforting dishes designed to feed the soul.  As the sister restaurant of Babette, we’re pretty sure Chouchou is set to become a neighbourhood favourite. Led by executive chef Cédric Tsia, previously of three-Michelin-starred Amber and one-Michelin-starred Louise, Chouchou’s menu is a celebration of authentic French flavours sans pretentious flair. Highlighted starters include classics such as foie gras au torchon and tartare de boeuf, both designed to whet your appetite for the hearty mains to come.  Photograph: Courtesy Chouchou Dedicated to curating a lively and cosy dining space, Chouchou offers a selection of sharing mains ideal for passing around the table. The canard à l’orange is a whole roasted dry-aged duck glazed with orange and spices, while the traditional tourte Française offers a rustic experience with black truffle, comté, P

Another one bites the dust among Hong Kong’s ‘soy sauce western’ restaurants. Sai Ying Pun’s Sammy’s Kitchen will soon join a growing list of historic local establishments to close their doors for good in recent years, concluding over half a century of operations in the neighbourhood. Second-generation owner Miss Yip points to interior decay and leaks that motivated the closure for renovation. While Miss Yip alluded to the temporary nature of this shutdown, no further dates have been announced for the restaurant’s reopening following some much needed renovation and maintenance work.  The brainchild of Sammy Yip and two friends, Sammy’s Kitchen initially opened in a humble spot on Hong Kong Island’s westside in 1969, before migrating to its current address along Queen’s Road West. Since day one, the menu has focused on serving classic Hong Kong-style ‘soy sauce western’ cuisine – a hyper-localised interpretation of western dishes that’s unique to our city. The down-to-earth nature of Sammy’s prices, dishes, and atmosphere have made this restaurant a staple in Sai Ying Pun over the years.  Photograph: Ann Chiu Having immigrated from mainland China to Hong Kong, founder Yip has led several professions before entering the hospitality industry with a gig at The Repulse Bay. What followed was a successful career as chef and waiter at the city’s star-studded hotels, including the Hilton, the Mandarin Oriental, and the Peninsula, where Yip steadily honed his culinary skills and cur

Since the opening of the West Kowloon High Speed Rail station, travelling between mainland China and Hong Kong has become more convenient than ever. To accommodate for the increased amount of inbound and outbound travellers over the Lunar New Year holidays, 16 direct destinations will be added to the West Kowloon High Speed Rail Line before the Year of the Horse. This increase in direct high-speed train routes will likely attract more mainland tourists to visit Hong Kong during the holidays while allowing citizens to explore parts of China previously disconnected by rail with ease.  The MTR Corporation announced in a press release on January 11 that it will be enhancing these High Speed Rail operations between cities in mainland China and Hong Kong in time for Lunar New Year, adding 16 direct-access destinations to the Hong Kong section of the railway network. Among these new connections are Nanjing, China’s ancient capital best known for its cultural tourism; Wuxi, the scenic Jiangnan destination near Suzhou; and Hefei, a laid-back locale with historic charm.  Photograph: Candida Ng / AFP Meanwhile, MTR will also increase the frequencies of the Shanghai Hongqiao sleeper train service departing from the West Kowloon terminus. From January 26, three round-trip trains will run to and from Shanghai Hongqiao Station daily, with intermediate stops at Hefeinan, Nahjingnan, and Wuxidong – previously, there were four high-speed trains running between Hong Kong and Shanghai each wee

Much has been made about Wong Kar-wai’s seminal and arguably most famous film In the Mood for Love, from its cinematography, costume designs, careful use of light and shadows, and phenomenal casting of Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung – and rightly so! But while you’re drowning in the aesthetic beauty and yearning of it all, it’s easy to let slip the fact that Wong’s music choices are also remarkable. The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) now places the spotlight on the film soundtrack with an extremely limited screening of In the Mood for Love, accompanied by the music being played live. A special programme launched to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Hong Kong International Film Festival, ‘In the Mood for Love in Concert’ will run for only three performances. The entire film will be screened with HK Phil providing the music under the baton of award-winning conductor Joshua Tan, who is the principal conductor of the Singapore National Youth Orchestra.  Photograph: Courtesy Jet Tone Production / Paradis Films For those who may not be familiar with the film, this cinematic masterpiece follows a pair of neighbours in 60s Hong Kong who struggle against their feelings for each other after discovering that their respective spouses are cheating. Yearning, repression, and regrets live painfully and beautifully in the lingering glances, stolen moments, and curls of cigarette smoke of Christopher Doyle’s stylish shots. All of this is enhanced by the wonderfully diverse mus