How To Save Money in Hong Kong (On Food)

Besides booking hotel, buying entrance tickets, paying transportation and going shopping, another thing that needs to spend lots of money during your trip is on food and drinks.

In Hong Kong, you can find almost everywhere convenient stores, mainly 7-11 and Circle K, where you can buy the daily-needed stuffs, such as water, instant noodles, bread, cigarettes and so on. Also you will find sun lotion and bandages here. If you need stamps to send out some postcards, just go to the counter to ask the staff (usually the stamps are put behind the counter). Generally speaking, the prices of these daily-needed items in the convenient stores are relatively higher (around 10-40%) than the normal market prices. Especially the beverages are much more expensive. However, the advantage of the convenient stores is that you can easily find one close to you and they usually open till late at night (after midnight) while most of other shops close at 9 or 10pm. It’s not a bad choice when you need some groceries, snacks, food or beer late at night or on your way of sightseeing trip. Instant food is another convenience of these stores. You are able to heat it up with the microwave in the store and consume immediately. In the bigger size stores, they will sometimes provide customers some sauces (soya sauce, ketchup or chili) and tables.

When you walk on the street and see the logo like “Park n Shop”, “Wellcome”, “city’super” or “Taste”, you can consider having a look. These are big supermarkets, like “Wal-Mart” or “Carrefour”. You can find almost all that you need for daily life here and the price is fair. Usually “Park n Shop” and “Wellcome” are selling products made in Asia area while imported items are the mainly goods in “city’super” and “Taste. Especially for city’super, most of their products are coming from Japan. It is maybe interesting for you to go in and take a look.

Besides preparing food yourself, you also can choose to eat outside. If you are traveling on a tight budget and have to consider prices it might be worthwhile to consider those fast food chain restaurants, such as McDonald, Maxim, Fairwood, Café de Coral, Yoshinoya and etc.. In these chain restaurants, you need to order yourself from the counter and pay before consuming food. Then you need to either stand in line to pick up your food or wait until they call the number on your receipt. Since they usually call the numbers in Cantonese and the restaurants can be very noisy, if you cannot or have difficulty to understand, just pay attention to the big screens on the wall, which will show the number when your food is ready to pick up. These restaurants are also popular for the local Hong Kong people due to their fair price and ok quality food. You can expect to pay HK$20-50 each person in these restaurants.

Eating at the Food Courts in large shopping malls is another option for you. Normally the large shopping malls will arrange a place for the customers dining and resting. For example the 3rd floor of YATA (Sha Tin), the 7th floor of the Festival Walk (Kowloon Tong), the 4th floor of Langham Plaza (Mongkok), as well as the 3rd floor of the Harbour City (Tsim Sha Tsui). This is basically the collection of small chain restaurants and you need to buy food from the counters yourself and wait in-line. Instead of setting up their own tables and seats, these restaurants share the tables and seats provided by the shopping malls in public area. Thus, the price of food is relatively low it is usually very crowded during peak time. So we suggest you to look for a seat before ordering food.

Unless it is obviously stated, normally all the Hong Kong restaurants (dinning in) will charge you 10% service charge. Most Chinese restaurants will charge HK$3-15 per person for tea or water. There are also some restaurants that force customers to consume snacks such as peanuts or appetizers of average price HK$10-30 per table. Dining in restaurants is paid afterwards and they usually accept both cash and credit card. Most of the restaurants will place their menu in front of the door, listing the price of their food. Btw, in Hong Kong, the bowl of rice is not for free like in Mainland China and generally a small bowl of rice costs HK$6-10.

Besides all the choices above, there are also many small restaurants on the street. But please keep in mind that prices here will not essentially be much lower. Sometimes it might happen that you end up paying even higher prices than in the chain restaurants and worse quality of food. The big advantage is that you may have some different choices and normally these small restaurants are free of the above-mentioned 10% service charge. However pay attention that there are cases that some stores will cheat the tourists. When they find out that you are not a local citizen but tourist, the menu they provide to you will look similar with others but with higher prices inside. So be aware of these tricks and double-check the prices before you order.

4 spicy dumplings，price: HK$38

2 pan-fried dumplings and 2 small pork buns, price: HK$28

A small bowl of minced-pork rice with a mini Haagen-Dazs icecream cup, price: HK$82

If you want to visit theme parks such as the Ocean Park or the Disneyland, keep in mind that these two theme parks usually don’t allow you to bring your own food and beverage into their parks. Due to their park policies there is a chance that you will be required to open your bags for checking at the entrance. Be prepared that the price of food inside the parks is much higher than the average market price outside. For example, a normal BBQ pork rice which costs around HK$20 in Maxim is charged HK$98 in Panda Café of the Ocean Park. Of course, you can find some inexpensive fast food chain stores like McDonald inside the parks. But it will always be very crowded and in peak seasons they even run out of their food stocks.

The Bottomline: If you don’t know where and how to get food with your comfortable expense, we recommend you to take a look our article : Follow the Michelin Guide, Try the Best Food of Hong Kong. We provide you a list of Hong Kong Michelin restaurants and hotels with detailed address and average spending. We hope that we could help you to make the right decision easier.

Baby Care in the Monsoon Season – Useful Tips for New Parents!

Staying in our country makes everyone look forward to the monsoons, the moment the first showers begin marking their presence in the weather maps. For many new parents, this might be the first monsoon for your baby and, if he’s of the appropriate age, the experience of seeing rain might bring immense happiness to him. But everyone knows that the rains bring uninvited guests in the form of disease-spreading germs and mosquitoes that have now become ubiquitous with the arrival of the monsoons. Childcare in the rainy season needs to be stepped up a notch in such cases.

How to Take Care of your Infant in the Rainy Season?

For a little toddler, the rains will get him towards the windows and the balcony and watch the falling drops with delight. There are a couple of things that need to be taken into account to keep him safe. Some of them are to be applied while traveling outside, while others need to be taken care of within the home itself.

Indoor Care

Some cautions to take within the home are,

1. Cleanliness of the home

Take a look at different areas of the house, including gardens, bathrooms or adjoining balconies, and check for signs of water puddles. Clean up all your drains and secure any loose electric wires that might be dangling.

2. A healthy diet for breastfeeding mothers

Opt for breastfeeding as often as possible since it provides your child with the antibodies and probiotics he needs to stay protected. A good diet ought to be followed by you, too, since those nutrients are what will essentially be given to your child via your milk.

3. Nip the infections in the bud

Fever, body ache, sneezing, and so on are classic symptoms of typical monsoon-induced illnesses and could even indicate the onset of viral diseases. Contact your doctor right away and take the measures necessary to combat the infection in its nascent stage.

4. Keep mosquitoes away from yourself and the baby

The mosquito bites can be quite painful for the baby and leave red swellings in various areas. Choose a mosquito net for your baby’s crib so that he sleeps without disturbance. Opt for fully-covered clothes whenever it is evening. If you have a mosquito repellent made from natural ingredients, those can be utilized as well.

5. Regular changing of nappies or go nappy-free

Letting the wet nappies be as they are could give your child a cold, might end up as a diaper rash, or turn into a party place for unhealthy bacteria. Check the nappy more frequently than before and change it immediately, or let him be nappy-free for a while.

6. Wear dresses that are warm and breathable

When monsoons dawn upon us, the atmosphere undergoes two major changes. The rains bring down the temperature of the surrounding area and let the trapped heat escape. This also consequently increased the humidity in the air. This is a weird combination that makes you feel cold and hot at the same time. In such cases, it is best to let your child wear clothes made out of cotton that are thick, or light fabrics made partially from wool. These not only keep him warm but allows his skin to breathe, too.

7. Make sure the clothes are totally dry and a tad warm

Nappies can be changed quite often but the humidity in the air makes it difficult for them to dry rapidly, even the usual clothes. This ends up in nappies that are slightly damp or clothes that have residual moisture and are generally cool when worn. Rather being counterproductive and make it even colder for your child, use a nice hot iron to run over these clothes before storing them. This will remove the moisture as well as make the clothes slightly warm, making them extremely cozy to wear.

8. Keep your hands clean at all times

Hands are the direct gateway through which germs find their entry into your and your kid’s body. Keep hands clean by disinfecting them prior to engaging with your baby. Do the same for your little one’s hands too, especially if he keeps roaming around. Try your best to keep nails short.

9. Food should always be freshly prepared

For slightly grown-up babies who have begun solids, it is necessary to make fresh food for them for each meal. Formulas ought to be prepared in water that is boiled to remove any possibility of infection. All utensils used by the baby should be sterilized after each feeding.

10. Keep your baby clean in the first place

No point in keeping surroundings clean, if all the germs are on your baby. Wipe the baby repeatedly in a day, since the humidity will make him sweat. Armpits, ears, genitals, and other areas can hold moisture and lead to infections. Keep them dry.

Outdoor Care

Here’s what you can do to ensure proper care outside your home.

1. Avoid dirty areas

Don’t go to areas where there are a lot of puddles and mud if you can avoid them. Stroll closer to your home or in the vicinity of your house itself.

2. Stay away from crowds

Any places with a lot of people have a higher chance of people carrying the infection to be present as well and spreading it further. Stay away from these for you and your baby’s well-being.

3. Opt for a portable sanitizer

Since you can’t always find clean water when you’re outside, make sure you carry a small bottle of sanitizer and use it to clean your hands whenever handling the baby.

4. Mosquito protection is a must

As evenings dawn, mosquitoes can quickly hone in to playing children and bite them. Go for full-sleeved shirts and pants for your baby and use mosquito creams to keep them away, too.

5. Playing outdoors responsibly

If your child wants to enjoy the rains, let him do so for a stipulated period of time. Advise him to keep away from dirty areas and have fun in the vicinity of your home. Let them dry up as soon as they are back.

6. Vaccinations are the best protection

Many doctors recommend getting a flu booster shot when the monsoons are around. If your child is yet to finish his schedule or has a low immunity than others, getting a booster vaccine can be quite beneficial.

7. Carry safe and healthy food options along

Any food available outside cannot be judged on hygienic preparation techniques and storage. Always carry a bottle of boiled water from home, and some formula or solids, which you can give to your baby safely.

8. Avoid the rains if you have a cold

This is a little difficult when your child loves rains a lot. But keep him away from rains as much as possible and try alternating it with a nice warm water bath instead.

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How often should you Bathe your Baby during Monsoons?

Since a baby is primary indoors, he doesn’t need a daily bath. Two to three times a week, and especially around humid times, can give your baby relief from the heat as well. If your child has been outside, definitely give him a nice warm water bath.

Monsoons quite literally paste a smile on children and babies. Playing in the rain and setting down paper boats are what most childhood memories are made of. By taking the right baby care tips in monsoon, the little toddlers can make the best of the weather as well and you can be assured of their health and safety, too.

Top Classic Thai Food Dishes

If you're ready to try your hand at cooking homemade Thai food, these recipes will get you started. Explore Thai soups, appetizers, main course dishes and a dessert. Whatever type of Thai you're in the mood for, you'll find it here at its tantalizing best!

• 01
  
  
  

  Thai Chicken Satay

  
  
  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  If you've never had the real stuff, then you'll fall in love with this special Thai chicken satay recipe. Strips of chicken or beef are marinated in a special Thai paste, then skewered and grilled or broiled. It is then served with homemade peanut sauce for a memorable taste.
• 02
  
  
  

  Thai Mini Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

  
  
  
  

  

  The Spruce / Darlene Schmidt

  
  

  
  

  Each mini wrap provides a burst of Thai flavors that hit different parts of the palate all at once. It's based on the traditional Thai appetizer miang kum. It will be the hit of the party or you can make a platter to enjoy as a meal.
• 03
  
  
  

  Tom Yum Soup With Coconut Milk (Tom Khaa)

  
  
  
  

  

  
  

  This delicious soup might even be good for what ails you. It's a version of Tom Yum Goong, which is basically Tom Yum soup but with a little coconut milk added for thickness and flavor.
• 04
  
  
  

  Larb Gai Thai Chicken Salad

  
  
  
  

  

  
  

  Larb Gai is a classic, traditional Thai dish that is made with pork in Thailand, but this recipe uses chicken. Fresh mint is a key ingredient. Enjoy it hot over cold greens or on rice.
• 05
  
  
  

  Thai Waterfall Beef Salad

  
  
  
  

  

   

  
  

  It's called waterfall beef because of the splashing sound of juices on the hot grill. The beef is sliced thinly and served with a mixture of salad greens and fresh papaya along with a special Thai dressing.
• 06
  
  
  

  Green Papaya Salad (Som Tam)

  
  
  
  

  

  The Spruce / D.Schmidt

  
  

  This is the most popular salad in Thailand, perhaps because it's low in calories but packed with flavor and crunch. Cooked shrimp, crab meat, or cashews can be added, or enjoy it with a bowl of sticky rice.
• 07
  
  
  

  Thai Weeping Tiger Beef

  
  
  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  The tiger is crying either from the chilies or because a hunter killed his cow. For this dish, you'll marinate the beef and quickly broil it to medium-rare before slicing and serving it with a side sauce. Enjoy it with rice or in a salad.
• 08
  
  
  

  Thai Green Curry

  
  
  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  Chunks of tender chicken are simmered in a homemade green curry sauce along with your choice of vegetables in this gourmet-style recipe. This dish is very aromatic and beautiful to serve to guests.
  
  
• 09
  
  
  

  Thai Panang Curry

  
  
  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  Panang curry features warm, rich flavors from Malaysia, Burma, and even India. It's a beautiful red curry usually made with chicken. While there are a lot of ingredients, you'll be processing them together and they will give it the complex flavor.
• 10
  
  
  

  Classic Yellow Curry Chicken

  
  
  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  This classic yellow curry hearkens back to the marketplaces and streets of Bangkok. It's made with chunks of chicken and potatoes with prepared curry powder or you can make your own curry powder.