A rice noodle roll is a Cantonese dish commonly served either as a snack, small meal or as a variety of dim sum. In Hong Kong, In Hong Kong, you can find a simpler version of this tasty snack in hawker vendors in the streets of Hong Kong which is often served with soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame sauce, and roasted sesame seeds. Try it out on our small group Kowloon tour!

You may find the video and Ingredients helpful if you wish to do and try making Cheung Fun at the comforts of your home.

Video credit: 美味生活HowLiving

INGREDIENTS

Batter

• 1 cup rice flour , 110g

• 1/3 cup corn starch , 40g

• 50 g wheat starch

• 500 ml water

• a tiny pinch of salt

• 1 tbsp. vegetable oil

Filling

• 1/2 cup chopped shrimp , either dried shrimp or fresh shrimp

• 1/3 cup chopped green onion

Sauce

• 1/2 tbsp. oyster sauce

• 1/2 tbsp. dark soy sauce

• 2 tbsp. light soy sauce

• 2 tbsp. water

• 1 tsp. rock sugar

• 1/2 tbsp. sesame oil

Garnishing

• Chopped spring onion

• Toasted white sesame

• Sha Cha sauce or fried shallots

PROCEDURE

• In a large bowl, mix rice flour, cornstarch, wheat starch, salt oil and water. Stir well to make sure the batter is well mixed. Set aside for 10 minutes.

• Prepare a rectangle or square pan and a large wok that can hold the pan. Bring enough water to boiling and then place your pan in.

• In a small bowl, pour a small amount of oil and then brush the steaming pan with a very very thin layer of oil and then pour the batter in. (I pour around 3 tablespoons of batter each time and it should spread to form a very thin layer at the bottom). Make it even and then steam for 1 minute until the batter firms, then sprinkle shrimp and green onions. Re-steam for 2 minutes over high fire.

• Transfer out, use a knife to separate the edges from the pan first and then roll it up to a 2-3cm wide tube. If you prefer, you can cut the tube into one-bite size sections.

To make the sauce

• In a saucepan, add all the ingredients expect sesame oil and heat to boil. Then turn down the heat and let it simmer for 3-5 minutes. Add sesame oil and ransfer out to cool down.

Now, you can enjoy your homemade Cheung Fun! It might look a lot of work to do this dish but it will all be worth it once you have tried and mastered making one for your family and friends! Happy cooking!

Recipes and procedure credited to China Sichuan Food website
Photocredits healthynibblesandbits.com

Hoi Ha Wan translates as ‘Bay Beneath the Sea’ and the Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park is a protected area that contains 60 types of hard coral and 120 species of coral fish. It’s also a particularly good spot for those interested in snorkelling or mangroves.

From the rustic Hoi Ha Village, follow the upwards path passing an old temple and a lime kiln (coral was once used in the production of lime) until you have a broad view of the bay’s shimmering waters. Then take a left down a flight of steps to a pier. If the day is clear and the tide is low, you should be able to see coral heads poking through the water. These are brain coral, earning this un-poetic name from their round shapes and convoluted surface patterns. You should also be able to see various colourful fish swimming through the coral, but you might wish to take a closer look by renting snorkelling gear back at the village. Be careful with the coral though — it’s protected. Read these coral area diving and snorkelling guidelines first.

Hoi Ha Wan is one of five marine parks in Hong Kong.

Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park is a sheltered bay located north of the Sai Kung West Country Park. It covers an area of about 260 hectares. Photo credit: trip.com

Address: Hoi Ha Wan, Sai Kung, New Territories
Telephone: +852 2708 8885
Website: www.afcd.gov.hk

How to get there:

• MTR Diamond Hill Station, Exit C2. Take bus 92 or 96R (Sunday and public holidays only) to Sai Kung Town, then change to green minibus 7 to Hoi Ha Tsuen and walk to the Marine Park.

 

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and discoverhongkong.com for the content.

Char Siu is a popular way to flavor barbecued pork in Cantonese cuisine. A very versatile food that you can partner with rice, noodle or you can stuff it in a bun. Char Siu can be purchased from a siu mei establishment, which specializes in meat dishes. If you are in a Hello! Hong Kong tour, you might have seen it once or several times as these shops usually display the merchandise by hanging them in the window.

Making Char siu is pretty straight forward and you can easily make it on your own. You can make at the comforts of your home for your family gatherings or just a simple dinner or lunch.

Video credits: Thewoksoflife

INGREDIENTS

• 2 Pork tenderloins

• ½ Cup soy sauce

• ⅓ Cup honey

• ⅓ Cup ketchup

• ⅓ Cup brown sugar

• ¼ Cup Chinese rice wine

• 2 Tablespoons hoisin sauce

• ½ Teaspoon red food coloring (optional)

• 1 Teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder (optional)

PROCEDURE

• Cut pork with the grain into strips 1 1/2- to 2-inches long; put into a large resealable plastic bag

• Stir soy sauce, honey, ketchup, brown sugar, rice wine, hoisin sauce, red food coloring or red bean curd (see Cook's Note), and Chinese five-spice powder together in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook and stir until just combined and slightly warm, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour the marinade into the bag with the pork, squeeze the air from the bag, and seal. Turn the bag a few times to coat all pork pieces in marinade.

• Marinate pork in the refrigerator, 2 hours to overnight.

• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.

• Remove pork from marinade and shake to remove excess liquid. Discard remaining marinade.

• Cook pork on a preheated grill for 20 minutes. Put a small container of water onto the grill and continue cooking, turning the pork regularly, until cooked through about 1 hour. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C).

You can now enjoy your home made Char Siu barbecue pork! Happy cooking!

Recipes and procedures credited to allrecipes.com
Photocredits thewoksoflife

One of Hong Kong’s most enduring and popular pastimes is cheering on galloping horses at the track.

Horseracing has been a strong feature of the city’s living culture since the 19th century, and The Hong Kong Racing Museum is there to preserve and celebrate this slice of Hong Kong’s heritage.

The museum adjoins the stands of the world-famous Happy Valley Racecourse and traces the locals’ love affair with the ponies by charting the history of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

The Hong Kong Racing Museum at Happy Valley Racecourse takes visitors on a journey through more than 150 years of racing history. Photo credit: www.airbnb.com

Address: 2/F, Happy Valley Stand, Happy Valley, Hong Kong Island
Tel:+852 2966 8065
Website: corporate.hkjc.com

How to get there:

• MTR Causeway Bay Station, Exit A. Walk along Matheson Street to Wong Nai Chung Road and then continue to walk for approximately 15 minutes.

• Bus 75, 90 or 97 from Exchange Square bus terminus (near MTR Hong Kong Station, Exit D). Alight outside the museum.

 

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and discoverhongkong.com for the content.

Flagstaff House

Built in the 1840s, Flagstaff House is an elegant reminder of Hong Kong’s colonial heritage. Formerly the office and residence of the commander of the British Forces in Hong Kong, it is one of the oldest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the city.

Its first occupant was Major-General G C D'Aguilar, who served as general officer commanding from 1844 to 1846 and who also held the appointment of lieutenant governor. Flagstaff House continued to be the residence of the commander of the British forces up until 1978, when it was handed over to the Hong Kong government. The building hasn’t been immune to Hong Kong’s turbulent life and, during the Second World War, it was hit twice by Japanese shells in the Battle of Hong Kong, but repaired quickly when it was commandeered for use by officers of the occupying forces.

Taking pride of place inside the grounds of Hong Kong Park, which also has a marriage registry, Flagstaff House is now a popular background for wedding photos.

Museum of Tea Ware

Flagstaff House was converted into the Museum of Tea Ware in 1984 with a new wing, the K.S. Lo Gallery, added in 1995. Alongside its exhibitions, the museum holds regular demonstrations, tea gatherings and lecture programmes to promote ceramic art and China’s enduring tea-drinking culture.

Flagstaff House Museum of teaware, the drinking of tea plays a big part in Asian culture, the museum of teaware is dedicated to the study and display of tea. Photo credit: timeout.com

Address: Inside Hong Kong Park, 10 Cotton Tree Drive, Central, Hong Kong Island
Tel:+852 2869 0690, +852 2869 6690
Website: hk.art.museum

How to get there:

• MTR Admiralty Station, Exit C1. Then follow the signs up the escalator to Hong Kong Park.

 

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and discoverhongkong.com for the content.

The Hong Kong Maritime Museum showcases Hong Kong’s maritime heritage in its past, present and future and places the city’s seafaring story in local, regional and international contexts.

In addition to documenting the past in terms of how China, Asia and the West have developed boats, ships, maritime exploration, trade and naval warfare, the museum also covers the present by explaining global trends and the importance of shipping to Hong Kong`s economy. Visitors of all ages and nationalities can find something that interests them, discover interesting facts and enjoy the interactive displays.

Each of the galleries has been set up with the help and generous support of individuals and corporations in the maritime industry, who believe in the importance of the preservation of Hong Kong`s maritime history.

Learn about Hong Kong's fascinating maritime story in a museum located at one of the world's major harbours. Photo credit: commons.wikimedia.org

Address: Central Pier 8, Central, Hong Kong Island
Tel:+852 3713 2500
Website: www.hkmaritimemuseum.org

How to get there:

• MTR Hong Kong Station, Exit A2 or MTR Central Station Exit A. Walk to the pier along Man Yiu Street.

 

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and discoverhongkong.com for the content.

You may recognise the rather unusual egg-shaped building that has become a landmark on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront. This striking dome is home to the Hong Kong Space Museum.

The city’s popular planetarium is made up of the Stanley Ho Space Theatre, the Hall of the Cosmos, and the Hall of Space Exploration. There is plenty of action and toys for wannabe space explorers and closet geeks, such as the Omnimax and sky shows, astronomy exhibits, digital planetarium projector, and seats installed with multi-language and interactive systems.

Download the ‘iM Guide’ app for a mobile multimedia museum guide.

Hong Kong Space Museum, waterside egg-shaped building with planetarium and Omnimax films, plus space and astronomy exhibits. Photo credit: travel.sygic.com

Address: 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Tel:+852 2721 0226
Website: www.lcsd.gov.hk

How to get there:

• MTR East Tsim Sha Tsui Station Exit J, walk about 10 minutes to the museum; or Tsim Sha Tsui Station, Exit E. Walk towards Salisbury Road then cross at the pedestrian crossing; or,

• Star Ferry from Central or Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui. Walk for approximately 10 minutes to the museum.

 

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and discoverhongkong.com for the content.

If you think a visit to a museum means staring into glass cabinets for endless hours, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Over 70 per cent of the Hong Kong Science Museum’s 500 exhibits are hands-on, meaning you can literally play around with a broad spectrum of cool topics, including robotics, virtual reality and transportation.

Be sure to check out the 22-metre-high twin-tower Energy Machine which, when activated, triggers a series of displays to produce spectacular audio-visual effects demonstrating various forms of energy.

Download the ‘iM Guide’ app for a mobile multimedia museum guide.

Hong Kong Science Museum, opened in 1992, has become a good place to explore scientific knowledge. Photo credit: tourismportrait.com

Address: 2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon
Tel:+852 2732 3232
Website: www.lcsd.gov.hk

How to get there:

• MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station, Exit B2 and walk along Cameron Road towards Tsim Sha Tsui East for 18 minutes; or,

• MTR Jordan Station Exit D and walk along Austin Road towards Tsim Sha Tsui East for 20 minutes; or,

• MTR East Tsim Sha Tsui Station Exit P2 and walk along Chatham Road South for approximately 10 minutes.

 

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and discoverhongkong.com for the content.

The Hong Kong Museum of History has proved it’s possible to squeeze 400 million years of history into one 7,000 square metre space. A list-topper for history buffs, the museum has made enormous efforts in studying, collecting, processing and exhibiting countless objects which are related to the archaeology, history, ethnography and natural histories of Hong Kong and South China. Thematic exhibitions are also regularly held at different times.

The Hong Kong Museum of History, a must-visit for history buffs. Photo credit: commons.wikimedia.org

Address: 100 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon
Tel:+852 2724 9042
Website: www.lcsd.gov.hk

How to get there:

• MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station Exit B2. Walk along Cameron Road towards Tsim Sha Tsui East for approximately 20 minutes.

• MTR Jordan Station Exit D. Walk along Austin Road towards Tsim Sha Tsui East for approximately 20 minutes.

• MTR East Tsim Sha Tsui Station Exit P2. Walk along the Chatham Road South for 10 minutes.

 

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and discoverhongkong.com for the content.

Surrounded by greenery and just out of view of Sha Tin’s towering housing complexes, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum is patterned after the traditional si he yuan: a compound of a harmonious mix of houses built around a central courtyard.

But people don’t just come here for the quaint architecture: the extensive museum is divided into 12 exhibition galleries, each a treasure trove of relics that express the culture and arts of Hong Kong and the nearby South China region.

Notable features include a collection of beautiful Chinese paintings by an acclaimed master of the Lingnan School, Chao Shao-an, a comprehensive and colourful exhibition tracing the development of Cantonese opera, and the first exhibition gallery in Hong Kong designed based on the works of renowned writer Dr Louis Cha (pen name Jin Yong), housing more than 300 exhibits, including early editions of Jin Yong's novels, invaluable manuscripts, documents and photos.

The ‘Bruce Lee: Kung Fu‧Art‧Life’ exhibition

In collaboration with the Bruce Lee Foundation from the United States, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum has organised an exhibition that looks at Bruce Lee not only as a film star and martial artist, but also as a cultural phenomenon. More than 600 invaluable items of Bruce Lee memorabilia provided by local and overseas collectors and organisations will be exhibited. Visitors will be able to gain greater insight into his achievements and contributions as well as his significance in popular culture.

BRUCE LEE® is a registered trademark of Bruce Lee Enterprises, LLC. The Bruce Lee name, image, likeness and all related indicia are intellectual property of Bruce Lee Enterprises, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

The Hong Kong Heritage Museum, a must-visit for Bruce Lee’s fans. Photo credit: commons.wikimedia.org

Address: 1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin, New Territories
Tel:+852 3728 3500
Website: www.heritagemuseum.gov.hk

How to get there:

• MTR Sham Shui Po Station Exit B2. Walk along Pei Ho Street to Tai Po Road.

 

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and discoverhongkong.com for the content.