What are Hong Kong must-try foods/restaurants? ---> (http://www.tommyooi.com/must-eat-food-in-hong-kong/) As much as dim sum has become widely popular, and can be found in many countries outside of Asia; for example, United States and Canada, eating dim sum in Hong Kong provides a very unique, different experience. While dim sum is ordered off a menu in many places, in Hong Kong, waiters roll around trolleys of an assortment of dim sum –pan fried, deep-fried, baked, and steamed—for customers to choose from. https://www.internations.org/hong-kong-expats/guide/15908-culture-shopping-recreation/food-in-hong-kong-a-culinary-capital-15915 Dim sum plays an integral role to Hong Kong people, as it is served as early as 7 A.M. to the elderly, and I can recall my grandpa who always woke up at the crack of dawn to consume his favourite hot and fresh barbeque pork buns. Moreover, Hong Kong people have also developed specific dim sum etiquettes; for example, one shows respect and manner by always pouring tea for others before themselves, and rather than saying thank you, rituals that date back to Qing Dynasty are used by tapping the table with your pointer and middle finger to express gratitude. ((http://www.orientalfood.com/culture/etiquette/thankyoumylord.shtml) What are the Do’s and Don’ts when eating dim sum? (http://www.epicurious.com/archive/holidays/lunarnewyear/dim-sum) Another characteristic that adds to the list of Hong Kong food culture is that Hong Kong people can be extremely picky. (http://www.jinwong.com/2011/06/20/food-culture-hong-kong/) With temperature reaching above thirty degrees during the summer, one’s thirst can be quenched with a refreshing glass of iced lemon tea that never fails to cool you down from the hot and humid weather. However, when it comes to drinking this beverage, there can be many different requirements requested by customers; for example, one may ask for more or less ice while another may want more or less sugar. Want to discover more about the characteristics of food culture in Hong Kong? Visit: http://www.jinwong.com/2011/06/20/food-culture-hong-kong/ As much as food in Hong Kong is presented in the most creative and unexpected ways, one of the most controversial issues in regards to food culture in Hong Kong is whether shark fin soup should be banned. Believed to be a symbolism of prosperity by Hong Kong people, shark fin soup is served in 98 percent of 375 surveyed restaurants.http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/1905257/shark-fin-soup-still-served-98-cent-hong-kong Though having eaten shark fin soup at large family dinners and weddings when I was younger, this dish has never come across as controversial until I was old enough to learn what it actually was that I was eating. Despite Hong Kong people claim it to provide many health benefits, and businesses heavily rely on selling shark fin soup to make large profits, the extinction of sharks due to the over-consumption of their fins poses a strong argument as to why this Chinese tradition should be ceased. Not only does this create a devastating decline in the species of sharks, but also negatively impacts the marine ecosystem as sharks play a critical role in the ocean by keeping food webs in balance and prey populations healthy. (http://www.sharksavers.org/en/home/) Furthermore, this also affects sea creatures at the bottom of the food chain through bycatch, killing more marine animals in our ocean. Because our human activities of using unsustainable fishing methods, emitting carbon dioxide through burning fossil fuels, and allowing waste to enter water systems is already damaging our ocean, the practice of catching and killing sharks to solely satisfy our cravings and allow us to follow traditions when shark fin soup is not critical to our health, is strongly unfavourable. Though this tradition has been maintained for a long period of time, this does not mean it cannot be altered. Hence, we should not always blindly follow and accept what tradition has to offer when it challenges our morals. To discover more about Hong Kong food culture, go to …
http://www.discoverhongkong.com/ca/dine-drink/what-to-eat/must-eat/index.jsp Question: With food industries prospering in the early 20th century, why do you think roadside food stall businesses have evolved to a limited extent size-wise, but are recognized as Hong Kong’s most iconic food present day?
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