"Mong Kok" in a quiet corner in North Carolina

"Mong Kok" is a "happening" place in Hong Kong with lots of shopping, food...and people. When I visited Winston Salem and Lewisville in North Carolina in December, I was surprised to find a small Chinese restaurant named Mong Kok in a small, quiet strip mall. I knew immediately that the owner must be from Hong Kong.

I walked into the restaurant and was greeted by friendly smiles. The owner looked like Chinese to me, but it was still hard for me to tell if she was from Hong Kong. I was looking at the menu and started to speak to her in Cantonese (mother tongue of Hong Kong people). The owner looked at me and said "whoa, you speak Cantonese? Where are you from?" It is always good to see a familiar face in a foreign land. We started chatting and found out that she was indeed from Hong Kong and had lived in the U.S. for many years.

When I brought up the name of the restaurant, the owner said, "we are in a quiet location and that's why we call this place Mong Kok in the Chinese name." In Chinese, Mong Kok means a busy corner. So they chose the name for "feng shui" reason, hoping that it will bring them lots of business. The English name of this restaurant is called China Wok Chinese restaurant.

To be honest, with the quality of their food and service, I see no reason they will not do well. They even do free delivery for orders over $10. It is indeed a small restaurant...actually it is more like a take-out place, but I think it is what they offer that matters.

If you are in the area and are interested in trying it out, the address is 189 Lowes Foods Drive, Lewisville, NC 27023. Phone number: (336) 945-6228.

Another cultural difference...no pets in bed or sofa

When I first came to the United States, I always saw ads selling pet step stools or pet stairs for dogs or cats. I was telling myself who wants such a product. It is better if my dog can't reach my bed or sofa.

I was surprised to see that Americans are completely the opposite and provide their pets unlimited access to their beds or sofas. In Hong Kong, I have never seen any pet owner has such a product before. This is all because we do not allow pets to get onto our sofas or beds, partly due to hygienic reason and partly because of the desire to minimize damage on expensive furniture.

Well, it's just another cultural difference and I'm glad my husband, who is an American White guy, agrees with me both on the hygiene and cleaning part. If not, I think we will fight day and night about how to treat our dog!

Myriad of small businesses in Hong Kong

When I was looking for interior designers and carpenters for my new apartment in Hong Kong, I spent a lot of time walking through many shops and businesses in Wanchai, North Point and Tokwawan. There are just too many small businesses and entrepreneurs in Hong Kong. There were so many that I got lost and didn't know which one to choose. It was also hard to judge how well a designer or builder was by just looking at the photos of their previous work.

It would have saved me so much time if there were a one-stop shop website that helped me find builders, electricians and interior designers. I enjoy shopping in a myriad of small boutiques in Hong Kong, but probably not contractors or carpenters!






Disclosure policy

Finding the right dress for your wedding or party

I talked about the dream of Asians being a princess for a day during their wedding yesterday. In Hong Kong, it is very common to rent your wedding dress or evening dresses. Hong Kong is a very small city with 7 million people. Most people don't have the storage space for a dress that they will only wear once in a lifetime. They usually go to different wedding rental shops and browse through what they have. I bought my own considering that I will have a chance to wear some of the formal dresses to the military functions.

I live in a small town in New Mexico, so I do most of my shopping online, including evening dresses. It is not just about choice, but also what sizes are available. I am a size 0 and I can hardly find anything in the limited stores here that will fit me. When I shop online, my choices immediately expand and I can find size 0 easily. For example, one of my favorite black cocktail dresses has the size I want. Most Asians are much smaller than Americans and for most of us, shopping online is the only option in the United States.

Presentation is everything in Asia

As most people know, packaging and presentation are very important in Asian cities such as Japan and Hong Kong. One very good example is the style of cakes Asian pastry chefs make. They don't sell plain-looking apple pies or simple cheese cakes. Even a Tiramisu has to be decorated with a piece of delicate white and dark chocolate. The cakes below are very basic cakes that you can get from a neighborhood bakery...and yes, most pastry chefs are very good artists, and they can do much more elaborate than this easily.

Recently I made a strawberry cake for a potluck Christmas dinner, and you can tell that dessert in Hong Kong is all about presentation, presentation and presentation. Not bad for a home-made cake, huh?

Excuse me...

Today I went to Mong Kok in Hong Kong. I noticed that Mong Kok was as crowded as Causeway Bay, but there were a lot more people trying to slow you down in the street. I was stopped by five people asking me to fill out a survey; three people shoving their flyers into my hands; a guy from Green Peace selling his organization and trying to ask me for monthly donation; and some salespersons standing at the front of the stores persuading me to go into their stores. It's not easy weeding through all these people to go to my destination. I learned to be firm and just say "excuse me" or "sorry, I don't live here..."

If you are a Caucasian, you'll probably get different kinds of obstacles on the road. My husband used to have Indians trying to sell him watches or tailor-made suits in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Swarm of people in Hong Kong

I haven't been in Hong Kong for around a year. Coming from a small town like Alamogordo, New Mexico back to a big cosmopolitan city is overwhelming. It's nice to have all the convenience of a modern place, but seeing thousands of people just at one zebra crossing (crosswalk) is disturbing.

If you happen to travel to Hong Kong, try to avoid the rush hours at Causeway Bay. That will save you a lot of headaches, and possibly money too. The zebra crossing right outside Sogo Department store is one of the busiest in Hong Kong and many pickpockets are at work there. Keep your handbags and wallets close to you. Do not swing your bags at the back. Your wallet or cell phone will be gone after you cross the road if you do so.

Don't leave your belongings hanging on the chair in a restaurant or on the floor either. Pickpockets are faster and smarter than you think.

10 richest countries in the world

According to http://www.xinhuanet.com/, 4 out of the 10 richest countries in the world in 2006 are from Asia:

1. Tokyo, Japan (GDP: US$784.8 billion)



2. New York, United States (GDP: US$407 billion)



3. London, United Kingdom (GDP: US$284.7 billion)



4. Seoul, Korea (GDP: US$198 billion)



5. Los Angeles, United States, (GDP: US$196 billion)



6. Osaka, Japan (GDP: US$191 billion)



7. Hong Kong, China (GDP: US$164 billion)



8. Chicago, United States (GDP: US$146 billion)



9. Toronto, Canada (GDP: US$141.9 billion)



10. Mexico City, Mexico (GDP: US$125 billion)

Note: The GDP figures are in 2004.

Hong Kong: Iding engine ban

The Hong Kong government has been releasing press releases these two days about a proposal to ban idling vehicle engines. It has launched a five-month public consultation on its proposal and is aiming to implement this policy in mid-2009.

The proposal suggests if drivers do not switch off the vehicles' engines when they are idle, they will be served with HK$320 (US$41) fixed-penalty tickets. With the number of complaints against idling vehicles increasing from 238 in 2002 to 501 in 2006, the Government is also considering issuing warning letters to those drivers upon receiving public complaints.

According to the Secretary for the Environment, Edward Yau, vehicles are the second-largest source of air pollution in Hong Kong, contributing to 25% of respirable suspended particulates and nitrogen oxides.

Yau agreed that certain old turbo engine models require an idling time before being switched off or their lifespan will be shortened. The Government is consulting local vehicle importers to investigate which models should be granted exemption. The following are some of the possible exemptions:

Exemptions
* Vehicles stopped roadside for boarding or alighting
* The first two taxis or minibuses at a passenger stand
* Taxis, minibuses or buses boarding and alighting passengers at designated stops
* Special traffic conditions, such as traffic jams
* Security transit for armoured, disciplinary and emergency vehicles
* Vehicles required to run engines for ancillary purposes, like refrigerator trucks
* Vehicles engaged in a parade or events authorised by the Transport Department

The air pollution is certainly a concern in Hong Kong and I'm glad to see that the government has solid plans to improve the air quality for its citizens. When I was walking to the MTR (subway) station to go to work every day, I had to keep a handkerchief with me so I could cover my mouth from the exhaust fumes and cigarettes smell from people who smoked while they were walking. It was extremely annoying.

This ban might cause some inconvenience and discomfort to the drivers and passengers, but we have to take care of the environment and the overall interest of the public. It is time to take care of "us" instead of "me".

Click the picture below if you want to report pollution in Hong Kong.

American roast pig VS Chinese roast pig

American

VS

Chinese

Does anyone know the difference between the American roast pig and the Hong Kong / Chinese roast pig?

The Chinese style is a succulent piglet with clean and crispy skin, which is the best part of the pig. The American one can be all burned and hairy. The skin will be stripped off for obvious health and hygiene reason before being served. The meat tastes like pork loin that has been cooked in a slow cooker.

Remember to try the Chinese roast pig when you go to Asia. It is very popular and you will be able to find a restaurant with this dish easily.