Chua Lam used to live across the world when he was much younger. He had worked as a producer, and had searched high and low for exciting themes, made movies, had a strong passion for good food, enjoyed life, loved travelling, and was passionate about writing.
In the end, he opted to settle down in this utterly convenient and colourful city – Hong Kong.
As a city at the confluence of Western and Oriental cultures, Hong Kong boasts a unique urban fabric, where you can enjoy a cup of classical milk tea, munch a slice of sweet peanut honey French toast, and gobble a bowl of wanton noodle, while basking in the city’s glorious global financial hub aura.
Whatever happens to the city, Hong Kong continues to shine with its exclusive “Pearl of the Orient” glow.
And as a globe-trotter eager to learn about our world, I could genuinely feel the city’s highly diverse yet exquisite attribute, something quite irreplaceable by any other city on this planet!
Remaking Hong Kong post-pandemic
Hong Kong has experienced gradual and subtle change after the pandemic. The society appears somewhat impetuous and the economy, glum. That said, the city refuses to forgo its versatility and tenacity, and is always quick to adapt to changes in the environment.
Reassuringly, the city has seen a marked improvement in its services industry. Greetings such as “Hi, is there anything I can help?”protrude the city’s distinctive warmth and hospitality.

Despite the phenomenal changes
it is vital for the city to retain its iconic characteristics. Hong Kong is one-of-its-kind in this world, and is absolutely irreplaceable. There are still people in this city who insistently safeguard its essence.
Hong Kong, where the old stubbornly lives on Chua Lam has on numerous occasions helped in the production of Hong Kong Tourism Board’s promotional videos, calling out to the world to descend on Hong Kong to savour its mouth-watering delicacies. And in private, he is more than willing to tell the world everything big or small that characterises the city, and share the time-honoured tastes of the city.
This time, we meet again for the fourth time after the pandemic, and as usual, our conversations invariably evolve around travel, food and lifestyle.
It was a breezy cool October day, at a time the movie “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In” broke box office records, triggering renewed interest in Kowloon Walled City.
The old Teochew restaurant is still doing a brisk business today. Its third-generation owner Chan has been a long-time friend of Chua Lam, who shares his passion for the city’s old tastes.
It is said that Chow Yun-fat, Johnnie To and other celebrities have frequented the shop for its remarkable Teochew cuisine, and I myself have the privilege of being entertained by Chua here on three separate occasions.
This time, it is at this very place that we have finalised the sixth destination of our “Lee San-Chua Lam Tour Series” – Hong Kong – for an unusual experience savouring the old tastes of the city.

4D3N Old Taste of Hong Kong tour
The long-missed clear sky has returned to Hong Kong this December, and the 22 members of “Lee San-Chua Lam Tour Series Hong Kong Edition” set foot on this familiar city in search of its nostalgic taste. Among the highlights is a lunch date with Chua Lam at the legendary Kamcentre Roast Goose in Causeway Bay.
Jane, the restaurant’s manageress, sighed: It’s been some time since we last hosted a tour group here, especially when you come here to savour the city’s old taste!
Talk show host Angel Wong, a Hong Kong native who has now settled in Malaysia, said this is the first time she has joined a tour group to visit her own hometown, adding that the Old Taste of Hong Kong tour has reawakened her curiosity for her city.

We continued to explore the city’s many charms after the lunch. From the streets and alleys of Yaumatei, to the Victoria Peak and Cheung Chau island, every bit of the tour evokes new discoveries of the city’s nostalgic past. Looking down the Victoria Harbour from the Peak, we could feel the pulsating energy of the vibrant metropolis.

Hong Kong tourism post-pandemic
The coronavirus has posted unprecedented challenges to the city’s tourism industry, sending the downtown vacancy rates skyrocketing at one point.
Nevertheless, the city refuses to stop moving forward. This year, Hong Kong Tourism Board has made “Let’s Go the Extra Mile” a slogan to encourage local residents to host every visitor with heart-felt sincerity and enthusiasm.
The Old Taste of Hong Kong tour with Chua Lam is much more than just a rendezvous of old tastes and memories, but also a rare opportunity to once again witness the city’s resilience and enchantment.
During the 4D3N trip, we walk the city’s breadth to explore its many untold stories, and feel the depth of its tastes with our taste-buds.
The old taste of Hong Kong lives on; so does its irresistible charm!