[Thematic Talk] Tasting the Past: From Hong Kong Culinary Culture to Public Housing Flavors [Museum Summit 2026]
Dr. Siu Yan-ho explores the evolution of post-war Hong Kong food culture through historical texts and literature, taking participants on a journey to revisit the stories and sentiments behind public housing estate delicacies.
- When
8 Nov 2026 11:00 - 12:30
- Location
Multi-purpose Room, YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel
Kowloon Sham Shui Po Sham Shui Po
Mei Ho House, Block 41, Shek Kip Mei Estate, 70 Berwick Street, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong
- Dr. Siu Yan-ho · Speaker
- Tickets & pricing
Deposit
HKD 20
Overview
Do you prefer egg tarts with flaky pastry or cookie crust? The flaky crust inherits traditional Chinese baking techniques, while the cookie crust draws inspiration from Western pastries. This blend of East and West reflects the multi-cultural fusion of Hong Kong's culinary identity. When these flavors entered the public housing estates, they evolved into a unique landscape—the familiar faces at the local 'cha chaan teng,' the bustling street markets, the steam rising from 'dai pai dongs,' the nostalgic snacks at small shops, and the itinerant vendors winding through the estate blocks. Food connects more than just taste buds; it connects the lives and sentiments of generations.
In this session, we go beyond mere culinary discussion, following the traces left by food to rediscover the past of public housing estates. As part of the 'Museum Summit 2026,' this thematic talk features renowned food culture researcher Dr. Siu Yan-ho.
About the Speaker
Dr. Siu Yan-ho, author of 'Stories of Public Housing Flavors' and 'Tasting Intangible Cultural Heritage,' is dedicated to the study of food culture. He specializes in analyzing the evolution of post-war Hong Kong dining through historical texts and literature. In this lecture, he will guide participants from tea restaurants and dai pai dongs to street markets and old-fashioned snack shops, uncovering the stories behind the delicacies that define Hong Kong's unique community life.
Event Details
- Date: 2026-11-08
- Time: 11:00 - 12:30
- Venue: Multi-purpose Room, YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel
- Capacity: 50 people (first-come, first-served)
- Fee: HK$20 deposit (fully refundable upon attendance)
Venue & Access
The event is held at Mei Ho House. Participants can reach the hostel by taking the MTR to Sham Shui Po Station (Exit B2) and walking along Pei Ho Street for 8 minutes, or by taking the MTR to Shek Kip Mei Station (Exit A) and walking along Woh Chai Street for 8 minutes.
