The Steam Hut (蒸廬), again and again

Because of my work travels, my wife and I have not been to our favourite dim sum place too often this summer.  Today we have some time on our hands, so we took the MTR to Tsuen Wan, to go to Steam Hut. 

The food, of course, do not disappoint.  And we got to see some of our friends.  

One of our favourites (we have many) is the Guangdong steamed soup (燉湯).  Some call it double steaming, double boiling, etc.  Basically, you put all the ingredients and water in a covered ceramic jar, and the jar is then steamed or boiled in water for hours.  Because the ceramic jar is sealed, there is no lost of ingredient or soup during the process.  You get all the taste sealed in.  The do not add salt or MSG to it.  All the taste comes from the ingredients, which are plenty.  I don’t remember coming here without having some of their soup.  And we have never been disappointed. 

The same quality and care go into all the dim sum, and steamed rice.  I believe we have tried each and every dish here.  And they are all good.  

My favourites include the steamed ribs, sesame bun, shrimp dumplings, stir fried turnip cake, steam rice, …  Basically everything.  

That is why we take the time to come here.  It takes at least 45 minutes one way, from home.  So eating here to have a meal takes almost half a day.  

This morning we went running.  

Then we came here for dim sum in the afternoon. 

Afterwards I went to one of our favourite upstairs book shops in Mongkok for a few hours, taking two books home.  

All in all, a full and fulfilling day. 

Super Typhoon YAGI

For the first time in 2024, Typhoon Signal No. 8 was hoisted.  At the centre of YAGI, the wind reached 230 kilometres per hour.  But it passed around 400 km south of Hong Kong. 

When I went out for a walk around 8:30 am this morning, The wind was fairly strong at times.  But it was not so strong that I had to fight it.  Much of the time I actually had my cap on.  

Some tree branches are strewn around the streets.  But I did not see big fallen trees.  

Most shops were closed.  But one can still buy meat, 

fish, …, even durian.  

Have congee for breakfast, 

with steamed rice rolls, fried noodles, …

Pigeons walked the street, freely.

Even the white-headed waves in the harbour did not look too threatening.  

People were jogging on the water front. 

Reporters looked bored.  

It may disappoint some people.  But many people will breathe easier.  Farmers, people living in low-lying areas, people who work on the street, street sleepers, …

In the mean time, many of us are already back in the office.  Some are preparing for the class this evening. 

Wet market in the Philippines

I always like to walk the streets and go to the wet market, whether in Hong Kong or a foreign country.  Hence, on the morning before flying home from Manila, when I have a bit of time I took a walk towards the Wet Market at the Cartimer Shopping Center, from my hotel near De La Salle University.  

Along the way, I can see people going to work, having breakfast on the street, going in and out of jeepneys, going to the big bus depot, taking groceries home, …  When I see people taking groceries home, I know I am near the wet market.  

When I get there, it does not disappoint.  It is not too different from those in Hong Kong.  Lots of vegetables, fruits, meat, and seafood.  

A lot of the seafood look quite fresh.  This is not surprising,  Since Manila sits on the waterfront, and the Philippines consists of many thousands of islands.  One is never very far from the sea when you are in the Philippines.  

Some of the fish and fish parts look familiar. 

Others are less common but not unheard of.  Some are really nice looking.  One sight that is common in Hong Kong which is quite rare in other countries is live fish swimming in big water tanks.  Here the fish is fresh, but not live in water tanks.  

Pigs and pig parts, such as hearts and stomach, are not uncommon.  

Live pigeons.  They kill them and clean them for you right there.  

Filipinos eat lots and lots of rice, for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  

In Hong Kong, people do that too in the old days.  There were numerous shops which sold nothing but  rice. It was big business.  The government has to carefully manage the supply and price of rice because people ate so much of it.   Not anymore.    Here, rice remains ubiquitous. 

Walking the streets and the wet market is a fascinating way to get to know a country, and its people.  

On the way back, I picked up a couple of soursop, to bring back to Hong Kong. More about that later.