2021/06/07

A bus trip and a focus on prepared foods go hand in hand!
One of the reasons I love Hong Kong is food. I would like to talk about "Prepared Food Centre", which is particularly close to my heart. It is a so-called food court. When you think of a food court, you probably imagine one in a shopping center, and of course there are such places in Hong Kong, but this place is a little different: "Prepared Food Centre". The name itself is very appealing! It is a place where cooked meals are served (Hong Kong Friends, or in English, a cooked food court), a restaurant for Hong Kong residents, a place of relaxation, and a paradise packed with Hong Kong elements.

Since moving here, I've been to this place almost every day and it has become an indispensable part of my life. I've been to a fair number of restaurants in Japan and I've been cooking for myself regularly, so I've fallen in love with this place, which has the three great things about it: cheap, fast, and delicious. For single people, buying ingredients is expensive, so going out to eat is more convenient than cooking for yourself! That's what I came to think.

*The light blue building in the center of the photo is the government building, with a market on the first floor and a ready-made food centre on the second floor. @Ap Lei Chau Market and Ready-made Food Centre

The ready-made food centers are mostly located in the city, and the Food and Environmental Hygiene BureauwebsiteAccording to the Hong Kong Times, there are currently 63 locations, large and small (as of the end of May 2021). They are often featured in local news and guidebooks, and are a place where gourmets can enjoy the atmosphere as well. They are bustling from morning to night, with dim sum and light meals in the morning, a powerful lunch at noon, and toasting with friends in the evening! There are quite a few famous restaurants that Hong Kong fans can stop by!

*From dim sum to international cuisine, I always have trouble deciding where to go. I'm looking forward to going there next. @Union Market and Prepared Food Center

To briefly explain the history, in the past, there were many food stalls (Dai Pai Wan/Dai Pai Wan) lined up near city landmarks (for example, near the grounds), and people would eat there. However, there were issues with hygiene and noise from nearby residents, so they took inspiration from food courts in Malaysia and Singapore, and with the government's efforts between the 1970s and 90s, they were established in their current locations. In recent years, they have become much nicer, with some places being renovated. However, there are still places in harsh environments where air conditioning is not installed, and there are various backgrounds, so when you take a seat with that in mind, your feelings for this centered on cooked food gradually well up inside you.

*Currently there is a time limit, and a warning not to make noise after 11pm. But it's fun and exciting. @Yuguang Street Market and Delicious Food Center

When I used to frequent the restaurant, I often went there for dinner. In the heat and humidity, I would eat fried garlic and other spicy Hong Kong dishes, washing them down with beer. Of course, they serve not only local but also international cuisine, and sometimes I go there for the restaurant's specialty or popular menu items such as milk tea, but sometimes I just go to this restaurant on a whim. Recently, I've been going there mainly for lunchtime and afternoon tea, but after going there a few times, I get to know the faces there, and the service becomes more and more extreme, telling me to eat properly and that this is their specialty dish, which is also the main reason I'm addicted to it.

*On a hot day, the combination of fried clams with chili peppers and beer is the best! The atmosphere is also perfect for a drunken night. @Shunye Matured Food Market

The previous story about Furudo was also centered around prepared food. Unlike the hectic atmosphere during meal times, I asked them what they were making during the preparations for the next day. I was able to see the backstage work, so it's a good idea to go during off-peak hours to discover something new.

*On this day, the man was preparing the sticky rice chicken to be served the next morning, while at another table the woman was preparing the Sanzhu beef. @Gudong Street Shopping Center

*While I was wandering around thinking about which restaurant to go to, I suddenly came across some roasted ducks! My appetite instantly increased. @Shunye Food Market

I watch the excitement of the men watching the horse racing broadcasts in various places, watch them during my lunch break between work, and ask questions because I want to try the same things. There are so many things to see and do, so I'll stop here for now. It's my little dream to conquer all the deli-food restaurants.

Author profile
wm_Journal

I first visited Hong Kong before the handover in 1996. A few years ago, I fell in love with Hong Kong, and in 2020, I decided to move there alone. Even in the midst of COVID-XNUMX, I'm enjoying my time here with my self-satisfied level of Cantonese and a cheerful attitude, with the motto of "act immediately when you think of something." My hobbies are watching Hong Kong movies from start to finish, traveling, and taking buses to the last stop. I post my daily Hong Kong updates on Instagram.

instagram
@wm_Journal