The Michelin effect: how awards have helped Hong Kong street food sellers
WITH VIDEO: What difference does recognition from the French dining bible make to a food business? We visit three Mong Kok food sellers to find out
The addition of street food to the 2016 edition of the Michelin Guide for Hong Kong and Macau was an intriguing move. It already has a Bib Gourmand section, highlighting restaurants that offer “exceptional good food at moderate prices”.
However, the latest edition adds another category called Street Food, featuring 23 places in Hong Kong selling everything from traditional Chinese snacks to Western desserts and even hamburgers.
The South China Morning Post visited three places in Mong Kok to find out how business had changed since their inclusion on the Street Food list when the results were announced on November 5.
READ MORE: Our Michelin pride and joy: Hong Kong’s street food should be the way forward to boost tourism
Three Potatoes is a small street stall on Nullah Road in between Ladies’ Market and Fa Yuen Street. It serves variations of potato dishes, such as twice-baked cheese and bacon potato (HK$30), baked potato with egg, and the popular hash brown with fried onion and bacon (HK$28).
WATCH: How a hash brown is made
Co-owner Vivian Wong Ki-wai says she didn’t know what was going on when the media came calling the day the Michelin announcement was made.