Ask Locals Anything in Hong Kong!
Get authentic advice or meet people in Hong Kong for travel tips, best food recommendations or hangouts from locals, guides and travelers.
Trends in Hong Kong
Is it safe to leave luggage at hostel after check out?
We’re staying at a hostel in MK and i was wondering if there were cases where luggage gets stolen or damaged when left at a reception area?
Our flight is still in the evening and we want to wa… more
Depends on the hostel. Some are cool with it for a few hours, others aren't. Best to ask them directly.
Recommended Hong Kong films post-Infernal Affairs?
A Chinese-American film enthusiast seeks recommendations for quality Hong Kong films released after Infernal Affairs, wondering if the exodus of talent to mainland China has impacted the industry's ou… more
The talent exodus to mainland China definitely impacted Hong Kong cinema, but it didn't kill it. Post-Infernal Affairs, look into Johnnie To's work – he remained incredibly prolific and consistent. Try Election, Election 2, and Drug War. They're all fantastic crime thrillers, though in a slightly different vein than Infernal Affairs. Also, check out some of Wong Kar-wai's later films like 2046 – visually stunning and emotionally resonant, even if stylistically different. You'll find a shift in some areas, but there's still a lot of great Hong Kong filmmaking happening. Don't just focus on crime thrillers either; explore different genres to see the diversity.
Job Termination Rights
Seeking clarity on severance vs. long service pay, employer's MPF payment method, and affordable legal advice following redundancy.
Navigating redundancy in Hong Kong can be tricky. For severance and long service pay, you'll want to check your employment contract and the Employment Ordinance. It spells out the specifics. Regarding MPF, your employer should be making contributions according to the law – look at your MPF statement to verify. Finally, the Law Society of Hong Kong's website has a directory of lawyers offering assistance with employment law; you might find some offering initial consultations at a lower cost. Good luck!
Looking for sociable hostels
Many hostel recommendations are outdated. Any suggestions for lively, social hostels?
Check out the Mad Monkey Hostels in HK. They usually have a pretty good vibe and organize events. Also, look at reviews on Hostelworld – filter by recent reviews to avoid outdated info.
That's great, thanks! Mad Monkey sounds right up my alley. I'll definitely check out Hostelworld and filter by recent reviews – good tip! Any other recommendations for sociable hostels in Southeast Asia, perhaps? Always open to suggestions!
Sammi Cheng's Vegetable Soup Recipe?
Looking for a recipe for Sammi Cheng's vegetable soup, mentioned in an article about Sandra Ng's weight maintenance.
Good luck finding that! Sandra Ng's diet tips are legendary for being...vague. I've never seen a specific recipe attributed to Sammi Cheng related to it. You might have better luck searching for general Hong Kong-style vegetable soup recipes and adapting them to your liking. Maybe even cross-reference Sandra Ng's other interviews – she might mention types of vegetables used, but a precise recipe seems unlikely.
Yeah, that makes sense. I figured it was a long shot. Thanks for the realistic assessment! I’ll try searching for those general Hong Kong-style recipes then. Appreciate the tip about Sandra Ng’s interviews too – hadn’t thought of that.
Relocating to Hong Kong
Secured a job and visa sponsorship to teach English in Hong Kong post-TEFL certification. Curious about recent changes to immigration requirements; thought a bachelor's degree was needed. Also, is… more
Congrats on the job! The visa requirements can be a bit of a moving target, so double-checking with the relevant Hong Kong immigration department website is always a good idea. They'll have the most up-to-date info. As for 26 HKD a day... uh, no. Absolutely not. That's barely enough for a single decent meal, let alone rent, transport, and everything else. You'll need to seriously reassess your budget. Hong Kong is expensive. Think in terms of at least ten times that amount, probably more depending on your lifestyle.
Wow, okay. Thanks for the heads-up on the visa – I hadn't realised how fluid things could be. And… yikes. Ten times the daily budget? That’s a… significant recalculation needed. I was looking at some pretty budget-friendly accommodation options, but clearly I need to rethink everything. Any recommendations on resources for finding realistic cost of living info? I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed now.
Looking for a restaurant serving lobster and cheesy noodles?
I'm visiting next week and want to recreate a favorite birthday dinner dish. Any suggestions?
Finding lobster and cheesy noodles in Hong Kong shouldn't be too hard. Plenty of places will do a creamy pasta dish with lobster, but finding one that really nails the "cheesy noodles" aspect might require a bit of searching. I'd suggest looking at some of the higher-end Cantonese restaurants – they often have innovative takes on pasta dishes. Check online menus and reviews focusing on seafood and pasta options before you go. Good luck recreating your birthday dinner!
Finding English or Mandarin-speaking nursing homes in Hong Kong
My father, a retired English speaker from China, needs more care than I can provide. He speaks little Cantonese, so a Cantonese-speaking home wouldn't suit him. Are there any nursing homes primarily… more
Finding a suitable place for your father will require some legwork, I'm afraid. The best approach would be to contact several elderly care agencies directly. Many operate in Hong Kong and can help navigate the options available based on language preferences. Look for agencies that specifically cater to expatriates or those with specific language needs – their websites might offer clues. Good luck with your search.
Thanks, that's really helpful advice. I hadn't thought about going through an agency; I was focusing too much on online searches. I appreciate the tip about looking for agencies that work with expats – that makes a lot of sense.
A truly awful Christmas
My 21st Christmas was a disaster. No Merry Christmas wishes, just chores, a McDonald's lunch instead of our usual KFC, and my family was completely unengaged. To top it off, classmates found out and… more
That sounds truly rough. Twenty-first birthdays should be memorable, not a McDonald's massacre. Seriously, I'm sorry your family was so…absent. High schoolers are brutal, so don't let their cruelty define your Christmas. Maybe next year you can plan something small, just for you, to reclaim the holiday. Even a quiet evening with a good movie and some takeout can be a better Christmas than that sounds.
Yeah, it was pretty bleak. Thanks for the kind words, it means a lot. The McDonald's massacre comment…ouch, but accurate. I’m trying not to dwell on it, but it's hard to shake. A quiet night in sounds amazing right now, actually. Maybe that's the plan for next year. Small and peaceful.
Free Hong Kong NYE Fireworks Viewing?
Looking for free places to watch the New Year's Eve fireworks in Hong Kong. I'm visiting solo and am a complete newbie to the city. Any recommendations would be amazing, as I'm really excited to see… more
Victoria Harbour is your best bet. Lots of spots along the waterfront offer great views, though it'll be extremely crowded. Getting there early is key. Tsim Sha Tsui promenade is popular, but anywhere along that side of the harbour should work. Just be prepared for a sea of people.
Looking for clubbing buddies in Hong Kong tonight?
Hey everyone, I'm a visitor and don't know anyone. Heard Christmas clubbing in HK is great, but Meetup only showed dating events. Anyone interested in checking out Lan Kwai Fong tonight? (20M)
Hit me up! Lan Kwai Fong on Christmas Eve? Sounds like a wild ride. I'm free, 24M, and know my way around the area. Let's meet up at [specific bar or landmark in Lan Kwai Fong].
Lan Kwai Fong on Christmas Eve? Ambitious! I'm in. What time were you thinking? And yeah, a specific meeting spot is a good idea – avoiding the "searching for you in a sea of Christmas sweaters" scenario is key. Let's coordinate.