https://www.scmp.com/rss/30/feed News, restaurant reviews, recipes and blogs on food & wine en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com SCMP SCMP We have selected seven Lifestyle stories from the past seven days that resonated with our readers. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. All about Hong Kong’s herbal teas and how Gen Z is reviving the health tradition Long before modern chain pharmacies and over-the-counter painkillers were readily available in Hong Kong, there were leung cha: intensely bitter herbal “cooling teas” brewed in massive brass cauldrons in traditional open-front shops. 2. How... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3368592/hong-kongs-gen-z-revives-herbal-teas-experts-couple-intimacy-7-lifestyle-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3368592/hong-kongs-gen-z-revives-herbal-teas-experts-couple-intimacy-7-lifestyle-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Sep 2026 06:15:06 +0000 Andrew Sun Andrew Sun Are Hongkongers starting to get bored of Shenzhen? Lately, when I ask friends and acquaintances if they have any weekend plans north of the border, there is a lot less enthusiasm in their replies. I see a lot of shrugs, or people saying they don’t know when they’re going next. I have no exact figures but anecdotally, the people around me are not doing as many day trips to our neighbouring city. I cannot say if there is an actual decline in traffic. In fact, the evidence might point to the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3368492/are-hongkongers-getting-bored-weekend-trips-shenzhen?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3368492/are-hongkongers-getting-bored-weekend-trips-shenzhen?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Sep 2026 04:15:04 +0000 Andrew Sun Andrew Sun Research journal editor and Instagram content creator Yuen Yiu (@cooking_yuen) moved back to Hong Kong from the US in 2021. He spoke to Andrew Sun. Like most working-class families, I grew up eating whatever mum, and sometimes dad, made. For me, a sizzling plate at Cafe de Coral on my birthday was a big treat. My first exposure to other types of cuisine was in secondary school. I blew my lunch allowance in Kowloon City on lots of Thai curries. I still eat at Amporn Thaifood (Shop 9, 3/F, Kowloon... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3368330/beef-brisket-dim-sum-thai-curry-editors-hong-kong-restaurant-picks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3368330/beef-brisket-dim-sum-thai-curry-editors-hong-kong-restaurant-picks?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Sep 2026 08:15:05 +0000 Charmaine Mok Charmaine Mok As symbolic of the Mid-Autumn Festival as the legend of Chang’e and the Jade Rabbit, mooncakes have a history dating back centuries, with their first mention during the Song dynasty (960-1279) in author Wu Zimu’s Dreaming of Grain. Early mooncakes were a far cry from the creative and intricate designs we see today. The rudimentary cakes were flat and round, with a thin outer crust and fillings such as lotus seed paste or the auspicious five kernels. During the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368),... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3368460/history-mooncake-moulds-and-their-designs-and-those-preserving-craft?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3368460/history-mooncake-moulds-and-their-designs-and-those-preserving-craft?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Sep 2026 04:59:27 +0000 Phoebe Amoroso Phoebe Amoroso With its dark-wood-furnished interior that is part-boutique, part-workshop and part-cafe, there is a lot to notice about Urushi to Hibi in Tokyo. The daily line of customers outside the door, however, is mostly here for one thing: its Hong Kong-style milk tea. Behind the counter, the three co-founders – Lei Shengyu, Zhang Qingyue and Ji Qiuzi – work tirelessly, alternating between taking and prepping orders. On this day, Ji is making the milk tea, face full of concentration as he strains it... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3367719/how-hong-kong-style-milk-tea-shop-tokyo-has-customers-queuing-out-door?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3367719/how-hong-kong-style-milk-tea-shop-tokyo-has-customers-queuing-out-door?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Sep 2026 23:15:04 +0000 Lisa Cam,Ashlyn Chak Lisa Cam,Ashlyn Chak In the first instalment of a four-part Health Matters series on traditional Chinese medicine, Lisa Cam and Ashlyn Chak explore how a new generation of health-conscious youth is discovering century-old leung cha and helping neighbourhood tea shop owners safeguard a dying trade. Long before modern chain pharmacies and over-the-counter painkillers were readily available in Hong Kong, there were leung cha: intensely bitter herbal “cooling teas” brewed in massive brass cauldrons in traditional... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3367808/guide-hong-kongs-bitter-herbal-teas-and-how-gen-z-reviving-health-tradition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3367808/guide-hong-kongs-bitter-herbal-teas-and-how-gen-z-reviving-health-tradition?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Sep 2026 11:00:07 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam For much of the world, Asian cuisine is often seen as just a menu category rather than a rich tapestry of histories from a vast continent. A few familiar dishes have come to represent thousands of regional techniques, ingredients, migrations and memories. The reboot of MasterChef Asia, after a decade off the air, seeks to change that by placing the region’s home cooks, flavours and ambition on screen. Having Asian cuisine represented and judged by chefs with deep, personal connections to the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3368002/what-expect-masterchef-asia-2026-judges-open-series-comeback?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3368002/what-expect-masterchef-asia-2026-judges-open-series-comeback?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Sep 2026 04:15:05 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press In an episode of his new CNN travel series, chef David Chang is driving down the highway to Las Vegas before stopping at a transport cafe off Interstate 15. The town is Hesperia, California, and the producers wanted Chang to try an Indian restaurant near a windscreen repair store. But Chang spots a Mexican cantina that looks promising. He chooses to eat at both, freaking out his camera crew. “I just wanted to taste things. When I see something, I’m like, ‘Oh, that looks interesting. I would like... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3367989/momofukus-david-chang-takes-detours-culinary-road-trip-across-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3367989/momofukus-david-chang-takes-detours-culinary-road-trip-across-us?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Sep 2026 08:15:04 +0000 Wee Kek Koon Wee Kek Koon I spent a week in Warsaw and ate more pierogi than I could shake a stick at. These beloved traditional Polish dumplings come filled with potatoes, cheese, meat, mushrooms and even fruit. Boiled or fried, they may look familiar to anyone acquainted with jiaozi, the Chinese dumpling, although their flavours are distinctly Polish. This is not to suggest that dumplings travelled directly from China to Poland. One theory posits that dumpling-like foods – from Nepalese momo and Central Asian and... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3367680/polish-priests-perilous-mission-save-doomed-chinese-dynasty-catholic-links?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3367680/polish-priests-perilous-mission-save-doomed-chinese-dynasty-catholic-links?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Sep 2026 00:15:05 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung Negroni Week returns for its 14th edition, running from September 21 to 27. Launched in 2013 by the US-based Imbibe Magazine, the annual celebration has grown into a worldwide drink-for-a-cause movement. More than US$5 million (HK$39.2 million) has been raised to date, with proceeds supporting the work of the Slow Food global movement. This year marks the programme’s most extensive Asia-Pacific presence yet, with visiting bartenders appearing across 18 venues in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3367986/where-celebrate-negroni-week-2026-hong-kong-september-21-27?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3367986/where-celebrate-negroni-week-2026-hong-kong-september-21-27?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Sep 2026 10:15:04 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung With fine weather forecast in Hong Kong for the coming few days, it’s a sign to spend the day outside this weekend. Whether that’s shopping, eating, drinking or exercising, you’re sure to find something on this list. Read on for all the details. 1. Rooftop Moonlit Market Start the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations early with the Rooftop Moonlit Market in Lai Chi Kok on Saturday, September 19. Along with local bites, handmade crafts, live music and a full afternoon of family-friendly activities,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3367693/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-september-18-20?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3367693/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-september-18-20?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Sep 2026 08:15:06 +0000 Charmaine Mok Charmaine Mok I was at a dinner the other night when a guest excitedly asked: “Did you know Bar Leone just opened in New York City?” The original Bar Leone is a famed Hong Kong cocktail bar on Bridges Street in Sheung Wan. Opened in 2023 by Italian bartender Lorenzo Antinori, the popular watering hole has already been named Asia’s Best Bar twice (2024-5) by 50 Best and is its current World’s Best Bar. Last year, it opened its second location in Shanghai’s Huangpu district. In March, the team served cocktails... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3367801/new-yorks-bar-leone-copycat-hong-kongs-worlds-best-original?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3367801/new-yorks-bar-leone-copycat-hong-kongs-worlds-best-original?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Sep 2026 05:16:30 +0000 Andrew Sun Andrew Sun Barista Hasting Ng owns Blossom, a cafe in Kowloon City, and was crowned global champion at the DaVinci Gourmet Coffee Barista Championship 2025-26. He also curates speciality coffee experiences for Nordic restaurant Finds in Tsim Sha Tsui. He spoke to Andrew Sun. I grew up in Hong Kong and spent several years in the US, so I have lived between two food cultures. That experience has shaped my palate. Still, when it comes to comfort food, nothing replaces the familiar flavours of a cha chaan teng... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3367405/where-champion-hong-kong-barista-goes-local-comfort-food-and-italian-dishes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3367405/where-champion-hong-kong-barista-goes-local-comfort-food-and-italian-dishes?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Sep 2026 05:15:05 +0000 Doris Lam Doris Lam Mel Ng tosses a beef burger patty from one hand to the other. A vlogging camera sits atop a stainless steel container, filming her every move. The 36-year-old is working for the day at The Diplomat, a cocktail bar in Hong Kong’s Central neighbourhood famed for its globally ranked Wagyu burger. Next to her, the bar’s founder, John Nugent, explains the burger components to Ng ahead of service, while passing around slices of American orange cheddar to taste. The Diplomat was the 31st stop in Ng’s... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3367577/shes-telling-hong-kongs-culinary-stories-through-instagram-staging-series?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3367577/shes-telling-hong-kongs-culinary-stories-through-instagram-staging-series?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Sep 2026 23:15:04 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung Even after winning a Michelin star for his restaurant, Upstairs Tasting Room in Ho Chi Minh City, the biggest source of chef Hiep Truong’s inspiration remains the same: his mother and the family table. The dish closest to his heart – the one that reminds him most of home – is the vit hon, a traditional Central Vietnamese dish where duck meat is braised with lemongrass, turmeric, coconut water and fermented shrimp paste. At his intimate tasting room in the Vietnamese city, the duck is dry-aged... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3367431/how-vietnamese-chef-turning-family-favourites-michelin-starred-feasts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3367431/how-vietnamese-chef-turning-family-favourites-michelin-starred-feasts?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Sep 2026 04:45:05 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung Few would guess that Hong Kong’s first plant-based canned coffee brand, Busy Brew, is run by a 23-year-old. One might be tempted to see it as a Gen Z entrepreneur fairy tale: a student spots a gap in the market, builds a cult following for her canned oat milk lattes, lands incubation funding and watches the product fly off shelves in some of the city’s largest retail chains. But founder Nikita Kuwadekar, born and raised in Hong Kong, will be the first to tell you that the journey has not been... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3367151/how-hong-kong-gen-z-coffee-entrepreneur-filling-market-gap-her-can-do-attitude?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3367151/how-hong-kong-gen-z-coffee-entrepreneur-filling-market-gap-her-can-do-attitude?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Sep 2026 23:15:07 +0000 Charmaine Yu Charmaine Yu The peak summer heat is finally easing in Hong Kong, and a lot is going on in the city in the coming days. Whether you are in the mood to check out cool art, browse exclusive fashion pop-ups or go on a forest soundwalk, here are five things to do in Hong Kong this weekend. 1. Chilai Howard at the Goethe-Institut Hong Kong interdisciplinary designer and artist Chilai Howard’s solo exhibition, “A Self-Portrait: The Process of Erasing” is running at the Goethe-Institut Hongkong until October 6.... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3366989/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-september-11-13?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3366989/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-september-11-13?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Sep 2026 08:15:05 +0000 Andrew Sun Andrew Sun Tiffany Lo is still heartbroken. Starting in 2020, the chef poured herself – emotionally, mentally and physically – into running Jean May, her beloved little French bistro in Wan Chai on Hong Kong Island. In 2026, after years of trying to keep the business afloat, Lo finally decided it was time to say goodbye. On March 22, she and her team held their final service. The closing still weighs on her, but the chef knows it is time to move on. Soon after Jean May closed, a friend introduced her to... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3366871/how-hong-kong-chef-tiffany-lo-picked-herself-after-closing-her-beloved-french-bistro?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3366871/how-hong-kong-chef-tiffany-lo-picked-herself-after-closing-her-beloved-french-bistro?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Sep 2026 04:45:06 +0000 Andrew Sun Andrew Sun Indian food is always frustrating for my partner and me. We often crave it, and our neighbourhood curry house has a huge menu. The vexing part is that there are so many dishes we greedily want to order, but it is just the two of us. We all know many Indian dishes can be heavy and filling. Their dense proteins, cooked in ghee and cream, with starchy carbs like flatbread and basmati rice expand exponentially in the stomach. Although we want to devour the whole menu, reason dictates we settle on... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3366865/join-my-dinner-club-where-sole-purpose-share-food-not-network-or-socialise?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3366865/join-my-dinner-club-where-sole-purpose-share-food-not-network-or-socialise?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Sep 2026 04:15:04 +0000 Andrew Sun Andrew Sun Jakub Lewandowski is the PR and marketing manager of The Mira Hong Kong in Tsim Sha Tsui, and a vegan. He spoke to Andrew Sun. I was born in Krakow, the royal capital of Poland. My family house was blessed with a garden and mini orchard, with seasonal fruit, berries and vegetables. As on every Polish table, there would be plenty of meat. Baked home-made rabbit pâté was a thing for us. When I was 12, my sister and I were invited by our half-Scottish, half-Filipino relatives to stay for a summer... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3366763/vegan-dim-sum-salads-indian-where-polish-marketing-manager-eats-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3366763/vegan-dim-sum-salads-indian-where-polish-marketing-manager-eats-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Sep 2026 04:45:06 +0000 Millie Hughes Millie Hughes A trip to Puer in China’s Yunnan province changed the way Hongkongers Raphael Chow and his wife, Joyce Ding, thought about tea. Home of its namesake fermented brew, the city is widely regarded as the ancient birthplace of Camellia sinensis – the plant from which most of the world’s tea is made. The London-based couple not only fell in love with the region’s teas, but also with its communal tea-drinking culture. Upon returning to the UK capital, they founded their own fine loose leaf tea company,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3366707/chinese-matchas-rapid-rise-and-hong-kong-couple-stirring-uk-tea-scene?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3366707/chinese-matchas-rapid-rise-and-hong-kong-couple-stirring-uk-tea-scene?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Sep 2026 23:15:07 +0000 The Korea Times The Korea Times More consumers are choosing whole wheat bread over white bread in the interest of health. But many products sold as whole wheat bread are not what they appear to be. To identify genuine whole wheat bread, consumers should check whether whole wheat flour is listed as the first ingredient. Some “whole wheat” bread products are made primarily with refined wheat flour, with a small amount of whole wheat added and caramel colouring – or other colourants – to give the bread a darker... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3366353/whole-wheat-bread-isnt-always-what-it-seems-dangers-flour-fakes-and-how-spot-them?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3366353/whole-wheat-bread-isnt-always-what-it-seems-dangers-flour-fakes-and-how-spot-them?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 Sep 2026 07:15:05 +0000 Bernice Chan Bernice Chan In Vancouver, people hear the music first – “The Blue Danube” by Johann Strauss II – then see a red, white and blue patterned truck pulling up shortly after. As impossible as it may seem, that can mean only one thing for people from Hong Kong – a Mister Softee truck is in town. Or is it? Although it is not the same beloved ice cream dispenser – renamed Mobile Softee in 2010 – found in Hong Kong, Watt A Truck looks remarkably similar and offers nostalgic soft-serve ice cream. “We wanted the truck... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3366377/hong-kong-ice-cream-truck-vancouver-watt-truck-brings-citys-flavours-canada?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3366377/hong-kong-ice-cream-truck-vancouver-watt-truck-brings-citys-flavours-canada?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Sep 2026 23:15:08 +0000 Evelyn Chen Evelyn Chen In China’s fine-dining circle, Jason Liu He-sen cuts an unusual figure. Shy and soft-spoken with modelesque looks, the quietly ambitious chef commands attention both behind the pass and on the runway. Liu blurs the line between food and fashion, and his growing influence extends well beyond the kitchen. He walked the runway at Hermès’ spring/summer 2024 menswear show in Shanghai and soon after became the first chef to partner with Nike for its “Yes, Chef!” campaign, during which he wore the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3366122/taiwanese-chef-connects-his-chinese-roots-his-new-beijing-restaurant?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3366122/taiwanese-chef-connects-his-chinese-roots-his-new-beijing-restaurant?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Sep 2026 04:56:39 +0000 Charmaine Mok Charmaine Mok I don’t know who needs to hear this, but sometimes it is OK to be ordinary. I am talking about restaurants that make great food and create a comfortable environment for its diners, but have neither the ambition nor the so-called skill to gain a spot on the multiple award lists around the world, or to – God forbid – land itself in a well-meaning reel of the influencer du jour. Or maybe put it this way: I am bored with everything being touted as the next viral moment, the must-try, the “run, don’t... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3366167/im-my-just-fine-dining-era-and-no-fuss-neighbourhood-restaurants-are-all-i-need?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3366167/im-my-just-fine-dining-era-and-no-fuss-neighbourhood-restaurants-are-all-i-need?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Sep 2026 04:15:11 +0000 Ashlyn Chak Ashlyn Chak Ha zi mein, or dried shrimp roe noodles, are a Cantonese household staple. Traditionally made from broth-infused dough that is steamed and then immediately baked dry to eliminate moisture, the noodles release the broth when boiled, turning the hot water into a rich, nutritious soup. As mass-produced versions dominate supermarket shelves, the artisanal craft of making ha zi mein – which is listed as part of Hong Kong’s intangible cultural heritage – is becoming increasingly rare. But Wing Lok... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3366056/how-hong-kong-maker-authentic-shrimp-roe-noodles-leading-comeback?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3366056/how-hong-kong-maker-authentic-shrimp-roe-noodles-leading-comeback?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Sep 2026 10:15:06 +0000 Andrew Sun Andrew Sun Jason Yu is the head bartender at Carna by Dario Cecchini at the Mondrian Hong Kong hotel and creator of the drinks behind its cocktail pairing dinners. He spoke to Andrew Sun. When it comes to food, I value balance, intention and craft. I like dishes where the seasoning, aroma, texture and finish all work together. It does not have to be complicated or fine dining. I am often most drawn to home-made or handcrafted dishes with top ingredients because they usually carry a sense of care and a... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3365926/hidden-japanese-omakase-excellent-cantonese-hong-kong-bartenders-restaurant-picks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3365926/hidden-japanese-omakase-excellent-cantonese-hong-kong-bartenders-restaurant-picks?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Sep 2026 05:15:06 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam When you think of mooncakes, the ones that come to mind tend to be the classic sweet lotus paste versions with salted egg yolk, or maybe a more modern interpretation like one with a salty-sweet baked custard filling. Historically, however, the first mooncakes were made with a mix of nuts and seeds. The five-kernel (wuren) mooncake – filled with ingredients including walnuts, almonds and sesame seeds – was considered the height of sophistication from the 1950s to the 1970s. With traditional sweet... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3365921/what-are-five-kernel-mooncakes-history-protein-packed-mid-autumn-festival-treat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3365921/what-are-five-kernel-mooncakes-history-protein-packed-mid-autumn-festival-treat?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Sep 2026 04:55:58 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Billed as Paris’ first boutique devoted entirely to butter, Le Butter Shop opened last month a short walk from the Eiffel Tower – with 30 varieties from small family producers in Brittany, the Loire Valley and northern France. France eats around 8kg (17.6 pounds) of butter per person a year, according to the country’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food. It is among the highest in the world. Yet the obesity rate is well below the average for wealthy nations – 14 per cent, compared to an average of... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3365578/butter-believe-it-first-paris-boutique-devoted-frances-favourite-fat-opens?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3365578/butter-believe-it-first-paris-boutique-devoted-frances-favourite-fat-opens?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Aug 2026 08:15:05 +0000 dpa dpa Guests arriving at the Potato Hotel in northern Germany are greeted by a schnapps served in potatoes-turned-tumblers. After taking a bite from the canapés – potato zucchini rolls and sweet potato pie – it should be clear that potatoes rule all at this cosy refurbished farm to the southeast of Hamburg. While waiting for the room key – adorned with a stone potato – visitors can purchase sacks of freshly harvested potatoes at reception. The rooms, some of which used to be cattle pens, are named... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3365548/spud-tacular-hotel-celebrates-potatoes-food-facials-and-farming?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3365548/spud-tacular-hotel-celebrates-potatoes-food-facials-and-farming?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Aug 2026 11:15:07 +0000 Charmaine Mok Charmaine Mok This month, Hong Kong’s cafe scene welcomes the return of a decade-old favourite to its original neighbourhood, as well as new establishments in Sai Ying Pun and Tai Hang. Several new openings blend concepts, including a coffee shop set up in a former pawn shop and a cafe collaboration with a cult car-tuning company from Japan. Here are five new coffee shop openings to visit in Hong Kong this September. 1. How Dept How Dept – which now has branches in Hysan Place, K11 Art Mall and other malls –... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3365274/5-new-hong-kong-cafes-and-coffee-shops-try-september-2026?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3365274/5-new-hong-kong-cafes-and-coffee-shops-try-september-2026?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Aug 2026 08:15:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam From contemporary Hokkien cooking and charcoal-fired French grills to glamorous Italian hospitality, new openings in Hong Kong this September promise to bring a diverse array of flavours. Read on to find out more. 1. Hokkien House Helmed by Levi You, winner of the Michelin Guide Fujian’s Young Chef Award in its inaugural 2025 edition, Hokkien House puts a contemporary take on Fujian’s coastal and mountainous flavours. The menu transforms classic regional ingredients, homestyle traditions and... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3365281/18-new-hong-kong-restaurants-bars-and-bakeries-try-september-2026?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3365281/18-new-hong-kong-restaurants-bars-and-bakeries-try-september-2026?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Aug 2026 10:15:06 +0000 Andrew Sun Andrew Sun Macroeconomics is hardly my forte, but it is fascinating how a major international trade war between Canada and the US – two friends turned rivals – seems to hinge on one minor sector: booze. The dispute between the two countries has escalated into all-out rancour after a breakdown in trade negotiations this week, resulting in US President Donald Trump imposing a broad 50 per cent tariff on a wide range of goods entering the US from Canada. A major reason for the failure in talks is one party’s... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3365151/why-us-canada-trade-war-seemingly-hinging-drinking-games?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3365151/why-us-canada-trade-war-seemingly-hinging-drinking-games?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Aug 2026 04:15:04 +0000 The Korea Times The Korea Times In the quiet mountain village of Ungyang-myeon, in Geochang county in South Korea’s South Gyeongsang province, sits a modest country home. Beside it are a small winery and a vineyard spanning about 18,000 square metres (193,000 sq ft). Compared with the vast vineyards of Europe’s famous wine regions, the place feels more like a humble grape farm than a vineyard. Yet the organically grown grapes harvested here are transformed into Jeong Ssang-eun Wine, a natural wine that has oenophiles across... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3365331/think-south-korea-cant-make-good-wine-passionate-producer-wants-change-your-mind?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3365331/think-south-korea-cant-make-good-wine-passionate-producer-wants-change-your-mind?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Aug 2026 11:15:05 +0000 Andrew Sun Andrew Sun Clement Wong is the co-founder of lamb-focused izakaya concepts Mt Yotei and Kyanbasu. He spoke to Andrew Sun. I love to try all types of food, whether it’s fine dining or street food, regardless of its origin. Growing up, I was fortunate to travel and study abroad, which gave me the opportunity to learn about different cultures – and at the heart of every culture, I believe, is its food. But my all-time favourite is still my grandma’s cooking – always warm, heartfelt and delicious. When I eat... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3365139/where-izakaya-owner-hong-kong-goes-japanese-food-noodles-and-congee?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3365139/where-izakaya-owner-hong-kong-goes-japanese-food-noodles-and-congee?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Aug 2026 07:15:04 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung By the time chef Justin Yang Yanbin took part in the reality cooking show The Divine Dish (also known as Chef of China) in 2025, he was already a culinary star, having received the Michelin Guide Chengdu’s young chef award the previous year – despite having nearly two decades of training under his belt. Then, six months after achieving first runner-up on the cooking show, he received another young chef award – this time from the Black Pearl Restaurant Guide 2026. Trained under legendary Min... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3364758/michelin-and-black-pearl-young-chef-awardee-justin-yang-opens-restaurant-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3364758/michelin-and-black-pearl-young-chef-awardee-justin-yang-opens-restaurant-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Aug 2026 04:45:06 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg Toridoll founder and CEO Takaya Awata went from college dropout to billionaire, selling bowls of chewy udon noodles across Japan primarily through his company’s flagship Marugame Udon brand. Now, he is betting the humble dish can become a global fast-food category alongside burgers, chicken and pizza, with the US at the centre of his restaurant company’s overseas ambitions. “We want udon to become one of those major global categories,” says Awata, 64, at Toridoll’s headquarters in Tokyo. He... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3364803/japans-marugame-udon-biting-more-it-can-chew-us-noodle-push?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3364803/japans-marugame-udon-biting-more-it-can-chew-us-noodle-push?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 22 Aug 2026 08:15:05 +0000 Emma White Emma White This Sunday, Hong Kong is buzzing with sizzling barbecues, lively music celebrations and bustling handicrafts bazaars. Whether you want to dive into Ukrainian culture, challenge yourself with a sporting event or treat yourself to some live music, there is a wide range of activities to choose from this weekend. 1. Music All The Wai This Saturday marks the final performance from Music All The Wai, a summer event celebrating music from around the globe. The performance at The Wai, a shopping centre... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3364638/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-august-21-23?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3364638/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-august-21-23?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Aug 2026 08:19:04 +0000 Ashlyn Chak Ashlyn Chak Tins of fried dace with salted black beans – known as dau si leng yu in Cantonese – are a pantry staple in Hong Kong and in Cantonese-diaspora homes around the globe. Affordable, ready to eat and with a long shelf life, the canned food is a symbol of working-class resilience. And it is highly valued; in April 2023, a masked man in a black windbreaker allegedly stole 48 cans of dau si leng yu (worth HK$1,800 or US$230) from a supermarket in Sheung Shui in Hong Kong’s New Territories. Although the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3364539/hong-kong-food-staple-having-gourmet-moment-cantonese-canned-fish-dessert-anyone?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3364539/hong-kong-food-staple-having-gourmet-moment-cantonese-canned-fish-dessert-anyone?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Aug 2026 04:45:07 +0000 Charmaine Mok Charmaine Mok Shenzhen made its debut in the Michelin Guide on August 18, with seven restaurants earning the southern Chinese city’s first Michelin stars. The selection was unveiled at an event announcing the Michelin Guide Guangzhou & Shenzhen 2026, held at the Grand Hyatt Shenzhen in Luohu district. Two Shenzhen restaurants – The Bay by Chef Fei and Yun Jing – received two Michelin stars while five earned one star each. Neither Shenzhen nor Guangzhou, however, claimed the guide’s highest honour: three... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3364554/7-shenzhen-restaurants-earn-stars-citys-michelin-guide-debut?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3364554/7-shenzhen-restaurants-earn-stars-citys-michelin-guide-debut?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Aug 2026 12:23:50 +0000 Andrew Sun Andrew Sun Frenchman Titouan Jounier is head sommelier at Louise, a one-Michelin-star French restaurant in Hong Kong. He spoke to Andrew Sun. I come from the Loire Valley, in northwestern France near Nantes. When I was young, I wanted to be a chef, but I moved to the floor because I liked talking to people. My parents liked to cook a lot and cooked quite well. My mother could make spaghetti almost every day, and my father’s weekend chilli con carne was very good. We also ate classic French dishes like beef... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3364512/where-french-sommelier-hong-kong-goes-tastes-home-chinese-bites-and-cocktails?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3364512/where-french-sommelier-hong-kong-goes-tastes-home-chinese-bites-and-cocktails?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Aug 2026 08:15:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam Does Coca-Cola in a glass bottle taste better than in a can or plastic bottle? Ask fans of the drink in Hong Kong and most will say yes. This is not just down to personal preference; it is lore passed down from generation to generation as truth. “That’s what we were told since we were kids by our parents,” says Cecilia Wong, a television host and wine and spirits critic. “I hear a lot that glass-bottled Coke tastes better,” says Yu Yat-yiu, a food and culture writer. “But only in Hong Kong – I’m... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3364513/does-coca-cola-taste-best-glass-bottles-why-hong-kong-drinkers-will-say-yes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3364513/does-coca-cola-taste-best-glass-bottles-why-hong-kong-drinkers-will-say-yes?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Aug 2026 05:15:30 +0000 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Past Top Chef winner Kristen Kish admits she did not watch many reality competitions before taking the helm of Bravo’s cooking contest in 2024. Since then, she has been skirting any attempt at comparison with either Tim Gunn (whose empathetic mentorship of flailing fashion designers defined Project Runway for a generation of viewers), her predecessor Padma Lakshmi or The Traitors emcee Alan Cumming. But she acknowledges that her distinct approach – kinder, gentler, more tearful – is rooted in... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3364295/dont-lead-fear-how-kristen-kish-redefining-top-chef-empathy-and-tears?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3364295/dont-lead-fear-how-kristen-kish-redefining-top-chef-empathy-and-tears?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Aug 2026 23:15:18 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse At a gleaming new factory in China’s central hinterland, masked workers in white uniforms season and sift through mounds of latiao, a popular snack that has found hungry fans overseas. Spicy, sweet and curiously chewy, Chinese latiao – literally “spicy strips” – are made by cooking wheat-flour dough under high pressure and heat. Despite their reputation as junk food, the snacks originally developed as emergency supplies have grown into an industry worth more than 60 billion yuan (US$8.9... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3364367/chinese-spicy-snack-has-gone-viral-thanks-chinamaxxing-tiktok-and-instagram?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3364367/chinese-spicy-snack-has-gone-viral-thanks-chinamaxxing-tiktok-and-instagram?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Aug 2026 04:49:47 +0000 Reuters Reuters Burgers are having a moment in mainland China, with budget-conscious diners and smaller households turning the humble sandwich into one of the country’s hottest fast-food battlegrounds, drawing in everyone from global restaurant chains to hotpot operators and coffee brands. Yum China’s Pizza Hut Burger Bar format, in which a burger counter operates alongside an existing Pizza Hut restaurant, expanded to more than 200 outlets in six ‌months, the company said in July. It plans to grow to 500 to... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3364275/pizza-hut-haidilao-why-chinas-fast-food-chains-are-turning-burgers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3364275/pizza-hut-haidilao-why-chinas-fast-food-chains-are-turning-burgers?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Aug 2026 11:15:06 +0000 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service In the second film of the summer that smooths the rough edges of a complicated man, we meet the future chef and global TV star Anthony Bourdain (played by Dominic Sessa) at age 19, blustering through a comically pretentious fellowship proposal for the dour-faced members of a faculty committee at New York State’s Vassar College. At first, this young Bourdain is easy to imagine as a slightly older version of Sessa’s breakout role in The Holdovers (2023), as if the earlier film’s sullen and... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3363981/why-anthony-bourdain-biopic-tony-puts-truth-back-burner?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3363981/why-anthony-bourdain-biopic-tony-puts-truth-back-burner?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 16 Aug 2026 11:15:07 +0000 Bernice Chan Bernice Chan In just two years, Christophe Yu Jiulong went from speaking no French to graduating from a French programme at the largest culinary school in Canada after moving from his hometown in Chongqing, China to Montreal. Fast forward another two years and the 30-year-old is now dedicated to Flying Tables, a collective he started with 24-year-old Nora Lou Yueyue. Together in Montreal, they create gastronomic experiences that celebrate Chinese gastronomy through pop-up events. “I always feel eating food... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3363994/how-2-minded-chefs-are-celebrating-chinese-diasporic-gastronomy-montreal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3363994/how-2-minded-chefs-are-celebrating-chinese-diasporic-gastronomy-montreal?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 16 Aug 2026 04:15:05 +0000 Charmaine Mok Charmaine Mok In the world of fine dining, the amuse-bouche is arguably one of the most important mouthfuls a chef can serve their patrons. As a taste of what is to come, it has the potential to pack a world of information in a single bite. In this respect, the opening act for the sold-out A Taste of Home, by Windmill Grass Theatre – the troupe behind the hit Black Comedy Di-Dar – is one of its weaker moments, like a broth that needs more time to develop flavour. Moving across the stage while pushing glowing... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3363881/taste-home-wonderful-bittersweet-tribute-hong-kongs-food-culture?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3363881/taste-home-wonderful-bittersweet-tribute-hong-kongs-food-culture?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Aug 2026 10:15:06 +0000 Andrew Sun Andrew Sun The fifth and final season of Hulu’s hit streaming series The Bear was released on June 25. I think sufficient time has now passed that I can talk about the food-related show without being accused of divulging spoilers and ruining the story for anyone not fully caught up. If you are a fan, likely you binge-watched all eight episodes soon after it dropped; that is what diehard followers of the edgy series would do. This kind of devotion is also why cast members like Jeremy Allen White (as... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3363652/what-bears-final-season-got-right-and-one-thing-theyve-long-got-wrong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3363652/what-bears-final-season-got-right-and-one-thing-theyve-long-got-wrong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Aug 2026 04:15:06 +0000 Andrew Sun Andrew Sun Wayne Lau is the founder of Leather Healer, a Hong Kong store selling handmade leather shoes, denim and quality menswear. He spoke to Andrew Sun. Because of my workout routine, my diet is mostly tailored around exercise. I prefer whole foods, and my day-to-day eating is pretty simple, though I do indulge occasionally. Dining should be spontaneous and relaxing – whether I’m eating alone or catching up with friends. I much prefer down-to-earth local eats and a lively atmosphere to fine-dining... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3363721/where-hong-kong-leather-boutique-owner-goes-beef-brisket-cart-noodles-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3363721/where-hong-kong-leather-boutique-owner-goes-beef-brisket-cart-noodles-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Aug 2026 08:15:05 +0000