Fast Food in HK

Street food is the traditional "fast food" in HK and so last weekend Darryl and I walked around Mong Kok and sampled a few items. Darryl tried the bacon wrapped mushrooms, and I had the less daring rice pancake.

But I am obsessed with the American style fast food here. I think its because they are obsessed with promotions here. (Currently there's a Hello Kitty promotion at McDonald's that's out of control. Photos coming soon.) So there's also a few photos here of the gimicks that are supposed to attract you and pull you into the restaurant.

And lastly, it wouldn't be summer without the ice cream truck...

Inoki mushrooms wrapped with bacon

Mochi type pancakes stuffed with red bean or peanut

Octopus

Pigs intestine

Reminds me of the jelly Starbucks I had in Singapore

McDonald's promotion: Shake Shake Fries...

basically fries with furukake

HK ice cream truck

Tropical China

I bet you didn't expect to see those two words together. I thought the closest I'd get to tropical here is sweating through these summer months, until I went to Hainan. An island located in the southern part of China, and home to the Li ethnic group, Hainan is a slice of tropical heaven in China. The first thing I saw when I excited the plane was one of the two pineapples at the airport. Pineapples typically represent hospitality, according Darryl and Williams Sonoma. This also set the tone for "things that remind me of Hawaii".

 

ShiMei Bay was the first stop. A remote part of the island, ShiMei Bay is a quiet enclave with access to a private island. Many water sports and plenty of beach to keep you happy. I recommend visiting soon, next year there will be better infrastructure (high speed rail) and more hotels. This private beach will lose its exclusivity.

Having a little fun while touring the property

Sanya is the Wailea of Hainan. One resort after another dots this beautiful beach. Sanya is where I found some of the most beautiful plumeria flowers, which is called 鸡蛋花 (egg flower) in Chinese. Probably for the most common plumeria, yellow on the inside, white on the outside.

Highlights included trying Hainanese foods: a fruit similar to lychee but a bit sweeter called 黄皮 (wampi), and a Hainanese local green been called 四角豆 (winged bean).

More adventures in Hainan to come in August... stay tuned...

Your ad here

One of our favorite things about Hong Kong is how well products, movies, etc. are promoted. The promotions can be over-the-top and sometimes the advertisements are incomprensible, but they draw a lot of attention. Here are some of our favorites:

Darryl and the aliens - Toy Story 3

World Cup 2010, Times Square

Noodles, Causeway Bay MTR station


If a stick figure lifts weights, and this guy plays soccer,
a diamond falls on your car. WTH?

Zodiac characters in Central

Burger decals on the MTR

First impressions

It’s been a very exciting and busy first 4 days in Hong Kong. Most of our time has been spent getting our bearings; purchasing cell phones; dropping by Gina’s office; meeting up with old friends; looking for serviced apartments. Of course, I had to visit the Flagship Shanghai Tang store *my favorite*.

We’ve done limited sightseeing, but please anticipate more on our local adventures, which will be the focus of this blog.

So far we can report the following…

We went to Mong Kok neighborhood for dinner and Darryl is happy to report that he ate black chicken and pig brain. He has one up on Andrew Zimmern. I am learning what dishes do not contain chǐyóu 豉油 and have found gluten-free grocers throughout Hong Kong Island, and specifically in Central near work.

While we’ve spent most of our energy running errands, I’ve enjoyed taking photos of local signs and products. Please enjoy our satirical thoughts below.

Perhaps a healthy promotion gone wrong?

Despite her unkind words, I still heart kitty.

And Happy Easter greetings from Godiva:

Share your blossomy moments in the comments section below.