https://www.scmp.com/rss/320439/feed Lisa Cam is an award-winning journalist, culinary historian and one of SCMP's food experts. She is the host, producer and co-creator of its Eat Drink Asia video series. Her specialities include the evolution of Asian cuisine, global dining trends and Chinese culture. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Lisa Cam Lisa Cam In India, dishes that feature Szechwan – not Sichuan – and Manchurian sauce might suggest Chinese roots, but they tell a distinctly local story. Known as Chindian or Indian-Chinese cuisine, this culinary style emerged from Chinese migrant communities in Kolkata, where cooks adapted their recipes to local ingredients and tastes – think soy sauce and vinegar with generous helpings of chilli, ginger and garlic. The result was not simply a substitute for food from China but a culinary tradition in... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3373525/brief-history-indian-chinese-cuisine-plus-3-popular-dishes-taste-tested https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3373525/brief-history-indian-chinese-cuisine-plus-3-popular-dishes-taste-tested Fri, 06 Nov 2026 11:15:06 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam Hong Kong welcomes a wave of new restaurants in November, including several international debuts. Food lovers can look forward to the relocation of a popular French concept, a premium hotpot joint with exclusive recipes, and much more. Hong Kong’s cafe scene also has some new additions, including a viral bakery from overseas and a Japanese pastry collaboration. There are also some innovative multi-concept bars that aim to redefine Hong Kong nightlife. Read on to discover more. 1. Bar... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3372417/12-new-hong-kong-restaurants-bars-and-cafes-visit-november-2026 https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3372417/12-new-hong-kong-restaurants-bars-and-cafes-visit-november-2026 Fri, 30 Oct 2026 09:15:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam When Ocean Park launched its Halloween celebrations in 2001, pumpkins, witches and vampires helped turn a visit to the theme park into a seasonal fright night. Twenty-five years later, haunted houses drawing on Hong Kong ghost stories share this year’s programme with family activities, live performances and a dark-fantasy collaboration with a pop star. The history of Halloween at Ocean Park is not simply a timeline of increasingly bigger productions and more elaborate effects. It is also a story... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3372571/screams-scandals-how-hong-kongs-ocean-park-has-spooked-halloween-guests-25-years https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3372571/screams-scandals-how-hong-kongs-ocean-park-has-spooked-halloween-guests-25-years Fri, 30 Oct 2026 04:45:07 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam White Flower Oil is a familiar scent in many Chinese homes – you may even have had a whiff of it on public transport. The sharp, pungent fragrance of eucalyptus and mint is unmistakable and memory-evoking, and has traditionally been used to treat ailments such as headaches, nausea and bug bites. The origins of White Flower Oil, also known as Hoe Hin Pak Fah Yeow, can be traced to 1927 Penang, then part of Malaya, where founder Gan Geok Eng developed a medicated oil initially intended for private... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3372507/6-ways-use-white-flower-oil-home-repelling-pests-removing-stickers https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3372507/6-ways-use-white-flower-oil-home-repelling-pests-removing-stickers Thu, 29 Oct 2026 23:15:06 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam On the first night of his “After Hours Til Dawn Tour” at Kai Tak Stadium on October 24, Abel Tesfaye, professionally known as The Weeknd, debuted a brand new track titled “Hong Kong”. The track heavily sampled pop diva Faye Wong’s original Cantonese vocals from the song “Seasonal Wind” (also known as “Monsoon”), seamlessly blending her melody with his signature R&B style. The surprise debut was met with thunderous applause and set social media ablaze. But what is the deeper social significance... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3372288/who-lyricist-behind-song-inspired-weeknds-hong-kong https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3372288/who-lyricist-behind-song-inspired-weeknds-hong-kong Tue, 27 Oct 2026 13:15:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam “Two wrongs don’t make a right. If you wrong a wrong, you get a wrong. If you wrong that wrong, it is a wrong-wrong. If you wrong that wrong-wrong, it’s a triple-wrong. How many more wrongs until we get this right? The easiest way to make things right is to give people rights. When you give people rights, they can do right. And rights are very powerful – they undo all wrongs.” This is one of stand-up comedian Sammy Obeid’s most viral clips, where he cleverly dissects the Israel-Palestine... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3372114/why-pro-palestinian-comedian-sammy-obeid-refuses-stay-silent https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3372114/why-pro-palestinian-comedian-sammy-obeid-refuses-stay-silent Mon, 26 Oct 2026 13:15:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam There are plenty of ways to travel in luxury by sea. A cruise liner cares for every practical detail, but its scale means strict schedules, crowds and little room for unique experiences. A private yacht charter, by contrast, can feel thrillingly free and discreet, but usually comes with eye-watering costs, logistical difficulties and a relative lack of fancy facilities like spa treatments and on-board entertainment. The latest launches and expansions from respected names in hospitality occupy... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3371636/luxury-hotels-hit-high-seas-ritz-carlton-four-seasons-and-aman-leading-way https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3371636/luxury-hotels-hit-high-seas-ritz-carlton-four-seasons-and-aman-leading-way Mon, 26 Oct 2026 04:45:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam This is the 88th instalment in a biweekly series profiling major Hong Kong pop culture figures of recent decades. With her signature polka dot gowns, umbrella skirts and velvet-deep contralto voice that defied the high-pitched norms of her era, Paula Tsui Siu-fung did not just become a Cantopop superstar; she defined the very archetype of the Hong Kong diva. Over a career spanning more than five decades, her record-shattering live performances and unprecedented album sales have cemented her... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3371486/how-cantopop-diva-paula-tsui-defined-era-her-contralto-voice-and-polka-dot-dresses https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3371486/how-cantopop-diva-paula-tsui-defined-era-her-contralto-voice-and-polka-dot-dresses Thu, 22 Oct 2026 23:15:06 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam Paddy Ma Wendi, a director of vertical dramas since 2023, has had a front-row seat to how fast and hard artificial intelligence has affected the mobile-first entertainment genre in 2026. Digital content farms have started churning out short productions – serialised stories made for smartphones and usually watched in portrait mode – using the latest AI technology. “When I was in the US [for a live-action vertical drama], I usually hired about 20 to 30 people, including the actors,” says Ma, who... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3370957/how-ai-reshaping-microdramas-vertical-video-format-takes-generational-jump https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3370957/how-ai-reshaping-microdramas-vertical-video-format-takes-generational-jump Sun, 18 Oct 2026 04:45:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam Ask any regular at Tai Fung Lau Peking Restaurant in Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui district what keeps them coming back, and they are likely to mention its down-to-earth dishes, generous portions and value for money. This year, as the restaurant marks its 65th anniversary, second-generation owner Steven Wan Kwok-keung remains committed to preserving both the hearty portions and the flavours of his father’s kitchen. That determination begins with a subtle distinction many diners might miss until Wan... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3370675/tai-fung-lau-65-hong-kong-restaurants-lu-cuisine-legacy-bruce-lee-ties-and-more https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3370675/tai-fung-lau-65-hong-kong-restaurants-lu-cuisine-legacy-bruce-lee-ties-and-more Wed, 14 Oct 2026 04:45:12 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam London-based private members’ wine club 67 Pall Mall is scheduled to open its first mainland China outpost in early 2027, in Shanghai’s former French Concession. Founder Grant Ashton says the move reflects a global shift away from spirits – which can reach 40 per cent alcohol by volume (ABV) – towards wine, typically 12 to 14 per cent ABV. “Wine is halfway down to zero,” he says, mapping out the spectrum from spirits to non-alcoholic drinks. “If you’re starting from spirits, wine is your sweet... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3370531/london-wine-clubs-shanghai-outpost-offer-chinese-drinkers-sweet-spot https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3370531/london-wine-clubs-shanghai-outpost-offer-chinese-drinkers-sweet-spot Tue, 13 Oct 2026 23:15:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam Hainan chicken rice, known for its tender, poached chicken and fragrant rice flavoured with chicken stock, is one of the many great Asian comfort foods. Paired with a trio of chilli, ginger and soy dipping sauces, every bite offers a customisable balance of rich, nostalgic flavours. The original dish hails from Hainan, a Chinese island province, where traditionally it is made with local Wenchang chicken. The dish evolved as Hainanese natives emigrated to Southeast Asia, with Vietnam’s com ga... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3369801/how-vietnams-twist-hainan-chicken-rice-tells-rich-story-migration https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3369801/how-vietnams-twist-hainan-chicken-rice-tells-rich-story-migration Mon, 05 Oct 2026 10:15:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam This month’s round-up spans the city’s most exciting openings, from a South Korean pot rice chain with more than 70 stores back home to a froyo counter tucked inside a Sai Wan launderette. There’s a relocated Michelin-recognised French-Japanese tasting menu in Causeway Bay, a neo-retro rooftop revival in Central and a Cantonese concept that curiously shares its name with a famous Michelin three-star institution. British pub classics land in SoHo, American soft-serve arrives soon and Wagyu takes... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3369313/14-new-hong-kong-restaurants-and-bars-october-all-you-can-eat-wagyu-froyo https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3369313/14-new-hong-kong-restaurants-and-bars-october-all-you-can-eat-wagyu-froyo Thu, 01 Oct 2026 04:45:06 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam Imagine a Saturday night out with friends. You are gathered at a beautiful pop-up event where actors in costumes deliver dramatic monologues while you sip high-end themed cocktails in a speakeasy setting. On the surface, it just feels like a bit of edgy, immersive theatre. But what if the actors are costumed as real-world serial killers? And what if the drinks in your hands are named directly after the locations and methods of their actual atrocities? This is the premise of Serial Killer... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3368607/serial-killer-speakeasy-coming-hong-kong-why-you-should-be-outraged https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3368607/serial-killer-speakeasy-coming-hong-kong-why-you-should-be-outraged Fri, 25 Sep 2026 04:45:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam As moon-gazers look skyward during the Mid-Autumn Festival weekend, they should spare a thought for Wang Zhenyi, one of China’s most notable astronomers and mathematicians – and a woman. Living during the Qing dynasty (1644-1912), when a learned woman was expected to do little more than ornament a household with poetry, Wang wanted something bolder: to explain eclipses. Her answer was physical, not mystical. It involved light, shadow and the movement of the moon. Using a round table for the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3368457/how-wang-zhenyi-chinese-female-astronomer-and-mathematician-defied-gender-expectations https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3368457/how-wang-zhenyi-chinese-female-astronomer-and-mathematician-defied-gender-expectations Thu, 24 Sep 2026 23:15:07 +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 https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3367808/guide-hong-kongs-bitter-herbal-teas-and-how-gen-z-reviving-health-tradition 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 https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3368002/what-expect-masterchef-asia-2026-judges-open-series-comeback Sun, 20 Sep 2026 04:15:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam At 89, many rely on glasses or hearing aids. Wu Bin needs neither. Daily runs and regular football games keep the legendary martial arts coach of action icon Jet Li in fighting form. Wu is a convincing advertisement for the wellness benefits of lifelong discipline. He still travels widely and recently presided over the 18th Hong Kong International Wushu Competition, where Dragon He, the son of another of Wu’s former students, Jaden He Jingde, was competing. A founder of the Beijing Wushu Team,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3367392/how-jet-lis-trainer-wu-bin-89-ages-well-and-still-nurtures-martial-arts-talent https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3367392/how-jet-lis-trainer-wu-bin-89-ages-well-and-still-nurtures-martial-arts-talent Wed, 16 Sep 2026 03:00:04 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam The elements play a powerful role in the eighth month of the Year of the Fire Horse, with a surge of metal energy bringing clarity to some zodiac signs and obstacles to others. Read on to see how feng shui master Andrew Kwan predicts these shifting elements will affect your career, romance and well-being – and where you should exercise caution. Rat (1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020) This month will generally be favourable for those born in the Year of the Rat. The flowing metal... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-zodiac/article/3367035/year-horse-2026-eighth-month-predictions-all-12-chinese-zodiac-signs https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-zodiac/article/3367035/year-horse-2026-eighth-month-predictions-all-12-chinese-zodiac-signs Thu, 10 Sep 2026 23:15:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam The world of high-end luxury is witnessing a global boom in branded residences, with heritage fashion houses partnering with property developers to build immersive homes in prime locations. Fabrizio Cardinali, CEO of Italian luxury fashion and lifestyle brand Etro, has identified the “home” category as a primary engine for growth – and a return to the company’s roots. Its portfolio includes Etro Residences Istanbul and Etro Residences Phuket, which are scheduled for completion in late 2026 and... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3366188/how-fashion-houses-are-building-branded-residences-demand-ultimate-luxury-booms https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3366188/how-fashion-houses-are-building-branded-residences-demand-ultimate-luxury-booms Mon, 07 Sep 2026 09:15:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam If you think this summer has been brutal, imagine how it feels for our pets, especially dogs. Whether cooped up in air-conditioned flats or kept in outdoor village compounds, dogs face severe physical and psychological strain during extreme weather. This link between environmental stress and pet reactivity comes amid a greater community focus on dog behaviour and safety in urban spaces. Hong Kong has recorded its hottest summer on record. Climate change is not only raising temperatures but also... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3366301/how-take-care-your-dog-during-hong-kongs-summer-heat-and-thunderstorms https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3366301/how-take-care-your-dog-during-hong-kongs-summer-heat-and-thunderstorms Sun, 06 Sep 2026 04:15:06 +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 https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3365921/what-are-five-kernel-mooncakes-history-protein-packed-mid-autumn-festival-treat Tue, 01 Sep 2026 04:55:58 +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 https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3365281/18-new-hong-kong-restaurants-bars-and-bakeries-try-september-2026 Thu, 27 Aug 2026 10:15:06 +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 https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3364513/does-coca-cola-taste-best-glass-bottles-why-hong-kong-drinkers-will-say-yes Wed, 19 Aug 2026 05:15:30 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam Stepping into the Old Town of Lijiang, a city in China’s Yunnan province, feels like entering the set of a Chinese period drama. Passing timber homes dotted with red lanterns, you walk on slick, rain-polished cobblestones worn down by centuries of Himalayan traders’ footsteps. The 800-year-old network of timber-framed architecture – often associated with Naxi ethnic minority culture – and the town’s alpine canal system earned Unesco World Heritage status in 1997 for exceptional preservation of... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3363770/what-dongba-script-only-hieroglyphic-system-still-used-today-found-china https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3363770/what-dongba-script-only-hieroglyphic-system-still-used-today-found-china Fri, 14 Aug 2026 04:45:06 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam This is the 83rd instalment in a biweekly series profiling major Hong Kong pop culture figures of recent decades. Long before he packed out the Hong Kong Coliseum for his 40th-anniversary Get Up concerts last October, Alex To Tak-wai was busy changing the fundamental rhythm of the city’s pop music. Emerging from the nightclub circuit in the mid-1980s with a kinetic, Michael Jackson-inspired stage presence, To eschewed the standard ballads of his contemporaries to introduce R&B and Western funk... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3363724/alex-tos-40-year-cantopop-career-rb-origins-defiant-comebacks-acting-triumphs https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3363724/alex-tos-40-year-cantopop-career-rb-origins-defiant-comebacks-acting-triumphs Thu, 13 Aug 2026 23:15:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam The seventh lunar month brings a powerful wave of cosmic shifts, reshaping fortunes across all 12 Chinese zodiac signs. As the elemental energies transition, this pivotal month introduces smooth qi for some, while presenting volatile trials and planetary clashes for others. From sudden career breakthroughs and secret benefactors to romantic entanglements and unexpected financial pressures, each sign must navigate a unique energetic landscape. Feng shui master Andrew Kwan breaks down the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-zodiac/article/3363729/year-horse-2026-seventh-month-predictions-all-12-chinese-zodiac-signs https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-zodiac/article/3363729/year-horse-2026-seventh-month-predictions-all-12-chinese-zodiac-signs Wed, 12 Aug 2026 23:15:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam You may have noticed a surge in Cantonese influencers on social media this year. Language teachers have long used digital platforms to increase their student numbers, but these influencers are not there to teach – they simply share their love for Cantonese. They come from all walks of life, and they are learning and practising with their followers. One such presence is 35-year-old Mihi Matshingana. In one video, with more than 15,000 likes on Instagram, she bursts onto the screen with a glass of... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3363137/want-learn-cantonese-these-influencers-are-sparking-canto-revival-social-media https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3363137/want-learn-cantonese-these-influencers-are-sparking-canto-revival-social-media Fri, 07 Aug 2026 23:15:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam Hong Kong’s dining scene is getting more exciting new additions this August. Foodies can look forward to a wave of top international imports, from London’s most iconic purveyor of Portuguese tarts to Japan’s favourite budget-friendly yakitori chain. Also opening their doors will be a refined hotel lobby cafe, an exclusive counter-style Chinese omakase restaurant, a rooftop Italian joint and more. Read on to learn more about the new restaurant openings in Hong Kong in August 2026. 1.... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3362248/12-new-hong-kong-restaurants-bakeries-and-cafes-try-august-2026 https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3362248/12-new-hong-kong-restaurants-bakeries-and-cafes-try-august-2026 Fri, 31 Jul 2026 04:15:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam Morning coffee is an essential part of many people’s daily routine. In Hong Kong’s high-stakes food and beverage scene, coffee is a key revenue driver; in 2024 alone, the city imported US$92.3 million worth of beans to keep its bustling cafes and hotel lobbies humming. Yet beneath the steam and foam lies a sprawling, interconnected global supply chain. Before that cup of coffee ever reaches a patron’s lips, it has passed through a global web of traders, roasters and logistics operators. But for... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3361938/where-does-your-coffee-come-starbucks-buyer-drinks-complex-journey https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3361938/where-does-your-coffee-come-starbucks-buyer-drinks-complex-journey Wed, 29 Jul 2026 04:45:06 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam For Kenneth Lee, his attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) means he has always been interested in learning different things. “I took visual arts and history, and I learned Photoshop just so I could personalise the cards for the online game Game of Heroes: Three Kingdoms,” recalls the 31-year-old product designer of his student days. (Three Kingdoms was an online card-strategy game popular in Hong Kong in the 2000s in which players were assigned a historical character that could be... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3362066/harry-potter-meets-hong-kong-pop-culture-viral-instagram-posts-powered-adhd https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3362066/harry-potter-meets-hong-kong-pop-culture-viral-instagram-posts-powered-adhd Tue, 28 Jul 2026 09:15:08 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam With a career spanning almost five decades, chef Hugo Leung Man-to, popularly known as To To, is a celebrity chef who has operated Tai Wing Wah Restaurant in Hong Kong’s Yuen Long area since 1975. The restaurant specialises in “walled village cuisine” – a rustic, communal style of Hakka and indigenous Cantonese cooking defined by hearty, meat-heavy comfort foods native to Hong Kong’s New Territories. On August 3, it will be recognised by the record-certification platform Asia Records as the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3361571/celebrity-chef-hugo-leung-aka-road-becoming-gourmet-god https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3361571/celebrity-chef-hugo-leung-aka-road-becoming-gourmet-god Sat, 25 Jul 2026 04:45:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam Standing in a protected heritage landscape in the remote, mist-shrouded mountains of northern Vietnam, the Garrya Mu Cang Chai resort features a main building that is believed to be the largest bamboo structure in the country. Part of the Singapore-based hospitality company Banyan Group, the resort is well worth the winding, six-hour drive from Hanoi to Pu Nhu Village, in Yen Bai province’s mountainous rural district of Mu Cang Chai. Mu Cang Chai’s layered rice terraces, sculpted over 400 years... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3360456/stunning-vietnamese-mountain-resort-luxury-meets-local-culture https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3360456/stunning-vietnamese-mountain-resort-luxury-meets-local-culture Tue, 14 Jul 2026 11:15:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam Every zodiac sign will face unique challenges and opportunities this month amid a complex interplay of elemental forces. The strong earth element in particular will create a dynamic landscape where some signs will flourish while others must exercise caution. From workplace turbulence and romantic possibilities to health concerns and career breakthroughs, feng shui master Andrew Kwan offers guidance for the month ahead. Whether you are dealing with conflicts with the tai sui or embracing... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-zodiac/article/3360343/year-horse-2026-sixth-month-predictions-all-12-chinese-zodiac-signs https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-zodiac/article/3360343/year-horse-2026-sixth-month-predictions-all-12-chinese-zodiac-signs Mon, 13 Jul 2026 23:15:06 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam Many Hongkongers would not think twice about the amount of butter on their toast, but would recoil at the thought of adding lard, or rendered pork fat, to a dish. People in the city have, for years, been brought up to believe that lard is an unhealthy fat, but recent science has begun to look differently at various kinds of fat. As a result, lard is making a comeback on menus. “It’s been proven by science that lard is not worse than any other animal fat,” says Jayson Tang, executive Chinese chef... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3359256/healthier-butter-lard-back-hong-kong-chefs-celebrate-rendered-pork-fat https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3359256/healthier-butter-lard-back-hong-kong-chefs-celebrate-rendered-pork-fat Sun, 05 Jul 2026 04:45:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam It has been a wet summer so far, but that has not dampened the enthusiasm for new restaurant openings in Hong Kong. From a clandestine yakiniku counter in Causeway Bay to a Tokyo Wagyu specialist in Central, the city is buzzing with new Japanese options. Meanwhile, a coffee brand from the United Arab Emirates brings rare Geisha coffee to the central business district, a popular pasta bar launches a new offshoot focusing on focaccia, and a new jazz bar arrives at H Queen’s. Yuen Long gets a new... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3358845/10-new-hong-kong-restaurants-and-bars-try-july-2026-wagyu-focaccia https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3358845/10-new-hong-kong-restaurants-and-bars-try-july-2026-wagyu-focaccia Thu, 02 Jul 2026 04:45:07 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam The Manchu-Han banquet (or Manhan quanxi) – a legendary grand feast dating back to the Qing dynasty (1644-1912) – was, depending on how you interpret it, either the pinnacle of imperial culinary extravagance or the origin of China’s reputation for eating everything. It was not a single meal but a multi-day culinary marathon, traditionally consisting of 108 dishes served over three days in six separate banquets. The scale was almost unimaginable – some accounts list more than 300 different... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3358294/bears-paw-and-monkey-brain-not-chinesologys-us2000-manchu-han-banquet-menu https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3358294/bears-paw-and-monkey-brain-not-chinesologys-us2000-manchu-han-banquet-menu Thu, 25 Jun 2026 23:15:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam For many in Hong Kong, the term dai pai dong evokes memories of fiery woks and street-side meals shared with family and friends. These open-air food stalls are an integral part of Hong Kong’s culinary tradition, the name, dai pai dong, translating as “big licence stall” in Cantonese, in reference to the large government-issued licences vendors were required to display on their stalls back in the 1950s and 60s. Over the decades, the stalls have become synonymous with a lively, no-frills... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3358179/hong-kongs-dai-pai-dong-street-food-stalls-go-upscale-can-they-recreate-same-magic https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3358179/hong-kongs-dai-pai-dong-street-food-stalls-go-upscale-can-they-recreate-same-magic Thu, 25 Jun 2026 04:45:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam Los Angeles is a shimmering dream factory of Hollywood boulevards and palm trees silhouetted against powder-pink sunsets. The American city is also famous for its wonderfully wacky culture that has given the planet everything from space-age architecture to US$21 smoothies at organic supermarket Erewhon. But for the slew of sports fans who will descend upon the city for the Fifa World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics, the question remains: is Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) safe? For decades, DTLA... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3357999/how-downtown-la-went-avoided-accessible-sports-hub-fifa-world-cup-fans-descend https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3357999/how-downtown-la-went-avoided-accessible-sports-hub-fifa-world-cup-fans-descend Tue, 23 Jun 2026 11:15:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam There is a figure in Chinese history who, despite never ascending the throne, shaped an empire over five reigns, resolved two succession crises to avoid civil war, educated and guided two young emperors, and helped forge multi-ethnic alliances that allowed the Qing dynasty (1644-1912) to rule a vast kingdom. That figure was a woman called Borjigit Bumbutai, better known as Empress Xiaozhuangwen. Xiaozhuangwen was born in 1613 into the Borjigit clan, a direct lineage of Genghis Khan, as a... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3357138/how-chinas-empress-xiaozhuangwen-shaped-qing-dynasty-without-ever-taking-throne https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3357138/how-chinas-empress-xiaozhuangwen-shaped-qing-dynasty-without-ever-taking-throne Mon, 15 Jun 2026 23:15:10 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam As the cosmic elements shift, the fifth month of the Year of the Fire Horse 2026 will bring a mix of opportunities and challenges for those born under many of the Chinese zodiac signs. From the fiery clashes testing those born in the Year of the Rat to the peak fortunes elevating those born in the Year of the Snake, Feng Shui master Andrew Kwan reveals these energy transitions and helps us navigate professional hurdles, unexpected financial shifts and evolving romantic connections. Rat (1936,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-zodiac/article/3356726/year-horse-2026-fifth-month-predictions-all-12-chinese-zodiac-signs https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-zodiac/article/3356726/year-horse-2026-fifth-month-predictions-all-12-chinese-zodiac-signs Sat, 13 Jun 2026 23:15:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam Alkaline rice dumplings, a sweet treat often enjoyed with red bean paste, peanut sauce or honey, can be an acquired taste for those in Hong Kong celebrating the Tuen Ng Festival, or Dragon Boat Festival. This is because, in China, rice dumplings are sweet in the north and savoury in the south – or so the saying goes. In Hong Kong, glutinous rice dumplings stuffed with pork, salted egg yolk, mung beans and mushrooms are more common. Historical records reveal that alkaline dumplings with sweetened... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3356506/what-are-alkaline-rice-dumplings-dragon-boat-festival-sweet-treat-loved-empress https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3356506/what-are-alkaline-rice-dumplings-dragon-boat-festival-sweet-treat-loved-empress Fri, 12 Jun 2026 04:45:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam The Japanese island of Hokkaido is best known to people outside Japan as a winter destination full of powdery ski slopes. But it is also the perfect getaway in the warmer months. One spot in particular, overflowing with idyllic backdrops and great food, has long flown under the radar of international travellers. The city of Furano, near the centre of the island, is known for its amazing local produce. Visitors can enjoy local restaurants or, if they are staying in a serviced apartment with a... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3356295/what-do-furano-summer-haven-japans-hokkaido-island-flying-under-radar https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3356295/what-do-furano-summer-haven-japans-hokkaido-island-flying-under-radar Mon, 08 Jun 2026 23:15:06 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam Tokyo’s Sézanne restaurant, which once held the No 1 spot on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list, has been quietly stripped of its three Michelin stars ahead of the guide’s next update in autumn 2026. The change follows the high-profile departure of its opening chef, Daniel Calvert, in April, leaving his replacement, Stephen Lancaster, to start from scratch. Sézanne, located inside the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi, experienced a meteoric rise under Calvert’s reign. Launched in July 2021,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3355918/where-did-sezannes-three-michelin-stars-go-guide-strips-status-after-head-chef-departure https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3355918/where-did-sezannes-three-michelin-stars-go-guide-strips-status-after-head-chef-departure Sun, 07 Jun 2026 04:45:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam This is the 78th instalment in a biweekly series profiling major Hong Kong pop culture figures of recent decades. At a press conference on April 20 at Hong Kong’s MacPherson Stadium, the warm, easy banter onstage between veteran Hong Kong actors Michelle Yim Wai-ling and Ricky Lau Wai-man was the kind that can only be produced by decades of shared history. Yim ­– better known by her stage name, Mai Suet, which phonetically inspired her English moniker – was there to announce a June music... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3355768/how-hong-kongs-wuxia-drama-princess-michelle-yim-has-kept-her-star-shining-55-years https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3355768/how-hong-kongs-wuxia-drama-princess-michelle-yim-has-kept-her-star-shining-55-years Thu, 04 Jun 2026 23:15:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam Hong Kong’s pizza scene is firing up, with four local restaurants claiming spots on the 50 Top Pizza Asia-Pacific 2026 list and two internationally recognised names entering the market. Joining the likes of Fiata – ranked joint third on the above list – in the city are Vincenzo Capuano, whose Naples pizzeria is No 13 on the 50 Top World Artisan Pizza Chains 2025 list, and Tokyo’s The Pizza Bar on 38th, which placed No 2 on the 50 Top Pizza World 2025 list. Capuano launched his first Hong Kong... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3355787/hong-kongs-pizza-scene-heats-new-spots-vincenzo-capuano-and-pizza-bar-38th https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3355787/hong-kongs-pizza-scene-heats-new-spots-vincenzo-capuano-and-pizza-bar-38th Thu, 04 Jun 2026 10:15:06 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam Pure imagination will take hold in Hong Kong this November as the Broadway musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory makes its debut in the city. The recent announcement, made at Felix on the 28th floor of The Peninsula Hong Kong hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui, was met with considerable buzz. Two cast members sat down with the South China Morning Post to discuss the challenges of bringing Roald Dahl’s beloved story to life on stage, the pressure of following Hollywood talent such as Gene Wilder – who... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3355528/charlie-and-chocolate-factory-musical-hong-kong-sweet-treat-say-stars https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3355528/charlie-and-chocolate-factory-musical-hong-kong-sweet-treat-say-stars Tue, 02 Jun 2026 04:15:07 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam June in Hong Kong arrives with humidity and sudden downpours, but that will not dampen the city’s craving for new restaurants. New openings include a Korean seafood specialist and a late-night dessert bar serving chilled mango pomelo sago and other favourites. A Tokyo ramen bar known for its unusual A4 Wagyu white broth has opened a new branch in Central, and a Sichuan-cuisine icon has opened a casual dim sum concept. There is also a restaurant in Central that is reinventing two-dish rice, and a... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3355028/15-new-hong-kong-restaurants-try-june-2026-pizza-and-ramen-chinese-desserts https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3355028/15-new-hong-kong-restaurants-try-june-2026-pizza-and-ramen-chinese-desserts Fri, 29 May 2026 04:15:06 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam There was a time when young people in Hong Kong were gripped not by their smartphones, but by weekly comic books. Throughout the 1980s and 90s, local comic books – known as maanwaa (“free-form drawings”) in Cantonese and manhua in Mandarin – had a huge following, shifting hundreds of thousands of copies each week. Successful comic artists became millionaires and their works were turned into blockbuster films, like The Storm Riders (1998), which was based on Ma Wing-shing’s bestselling Fung Wan... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3354880/rise-and-fall-hong-kong-comics-once-50-million-copies-year-industry https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3354880/rise-and-fall-hong-kong-comics-once-50-million-copies-year-industry Wed, 27 May 2026 23:15:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam Hong Kong dim sum restaurant chain Tim Ho Wan has launched a nostalgic dim sum series with the help of 95-year-old veteran master Foo Shing. The series recreates five different dim sum dishes built from the chef’s personal recipe records that have almost disappeared from Hong Kong menus, with small adjustments to cater to modern tastes. “I met Chef Foo at a networking event,” says Cheung Yat-sing, Tim Ho Wan’s global product innovation director. “He told me he still kept his dim sum recipes, so... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3354843/95-year-old-dim-sum-chef-launches-menu-forgotten-items-tim-ho-wan-hong-kong https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3354843/95-year-old-dim-sum-chef-launches-menu-forgotten-items-tim-ho-wan-hong-kong Tue, 26 May 2026 23:15:07 +0000