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Charmaine Mok
Deputy culture editor
Charmaine Mok is the Deputy Culture Editor at SCMP and the desk's food and wine specialist. She has been working in food media since 2007, and most memorably drank 50 coffees over three days in the name of research. She’s devoted to telling unexpected stories of the dining scene in Asia and those who shape it, and is always in the mood for noodles and/or a cheeky beverage.
Charmaine Mok is the Deputy Culture Editor at SCMP and the desk's food and wine specialist. She has been working in food media since 2007, and most memorably drank 50 coffees over three days in the name of research. She’s devoted to telling unexpected stories of the dining scene in Asia and those who shape it, and is always in the mood for noodles and/or a cheeky beverage.
Areas of Expertise:
Food and drink trends, restaurant and bar industry news, coffee, wine and spirits, Cantonese culture
Languages Spoken:
Cantonese, English
From a soothing space with books and cake to a Korean-style cafe and new branches of popular hang-outs, these cafes offer coffee and comfort.
Chefs at a Bangkok event epitomised a focus on heritage over haute that Marriott International’s Future of Food 2026 report says is trending.
From steamed Jiangsu crabs to dumplings, soups and even a pizza featuring the seasonal delicacy, here’s where to get your hairy crab fix.
The ‘Jellycatification’ of brands is everywhere, with each new deliciously adorable collection igniting my cuteness aggression.
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Overweight and aimless, Dongyeol Shin decided to change his life. He now runs Kiez, a chic drinking hole in one of Seoul’s trendiest enclaves.
These 5 coffee shops offer elegance, industrial chic and minimalism – one, opened by a champion barista, has a stunning, churchlike interior.
Does the mix of Japanese yakitori masters and Cantonese chicken, like at Yoshiteru Ikegawa’s new restaurant Torikaze, set Hong Kong apart?
A leader in Portuguese and Macanese cuisine, Coelho was a larger-than-life character who was passionate about food and hospitality.
From special anniversary offerings to celebrity-chef creations, enjoy a delicious weekend meal with family or friends at these restaurants.
Char siu rice? Pineapple buns? Running influencers tout the benefits of bread and pasta, but that is not what this new runner is looking for.
Picky eater turned top chef Akira Back shares how his restaurant in The Henderson is about telling his family story in a stress-free setting.
New Italian restaurants like La Volta, Alma and Twist are leading a pasta charge this autumn offering old classics and new twists.
Metropol boss Mamoru Hayashi talks about the journey of the Hong Kong restaurant famous for maintaining traditions like dim sum trolleys.
Coffee shops are great third spaces, but one filled with people on laptops nursing the dregs of a drink for hours is miserable for owners.
From Chinatown and Soho to Covent Garden and Mayfair, there are plenty of great restaurants a short walk from London’s iconic square.
Instead of just salty snacks, some bars in Taiwan are offering patrons free hot soup at the beginning or end of their drinking session.
New cafes this month include a popular chain’s branch at Hong Kong International Airport and two cult coffee shops’ relocations.
Chef Albert Li of the new Jin Ting Wan at Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands talks about how he’s innovating on traditional Cantonese cooking.
Noma’s exclusive meal at new lifestyle destination YMS by Onefifteen in Taipei served up some delicious dishes but felt too disjointed.
Westerners have referred to the fried soy-based sauce that originates from northern China as ‘Beijing bolognese’
A matcha craze has led to soaring demand and prices, frustrating cafes and customers. Will the same happen to its ‘cousin’ hojicha?
The new edition sees Sushi Sakuta gain its second star and Omakase @ Stevens its first, while the three-star category remains unchanged.
Bar Leone topped the regional list for the second year in a row, while bars in mainland China, Indonesia and India made significant inroads.
The delicate xian jin feng and super rare gua lu are the top two ranked lychee varieties according to a viral post on Chinese social media.
Quentin Luk of the Regent Hong Kong hotel’s Qura Bar won the Diageo World Class Hong Kong and Macau 2025 to earn a spot in the global final.
Coffee lovers have plenty of new spots to discover around Hong Kong, from cosy neighbourhood hideaways to bold, art-strewn shops.
Maido in Peru’s capital Lima beats Spain’s Asador Etxebarri for the top spot, while two Hong Kong restaurants make the top 20.
From grilled aubergine ice cream to celery cheesecake, veggie-led desserts were a surprising hit during my recent trip to Hokkaido.
Are you a Darshen or a Dr Samuel? We’re talking about traveller types – do you plan every detail, or are you just along for the ride?
