Hello dear readers! Apologies for the long absence – and thank you for all of your kind notes! My trip to Hong Kong was very cold – record cold temperatures, I believe, and filled with family and lots of food. Hot food, preferably, to keep warm. It was difficult not to make this a 100 photo-long post, but I hope the following ones give you a taste of my visit overseas.
One of my guilty pleasures whenever I visit Hong Kong: Calbee chips! Calbee is my favorite chip brand – how can you say no to unagi and yakitori flavors?
The heavily fragrant smoke is a dead giveaway a roast chestnut vendor is nearby. If you see the coats on all the passerby in the background, you can imagine how cold it really was!
Yes, the sign says to beware of the doggie! He seemed to be enjoying his afternoon nap when we strolled by.
A home soy milk machine – automating the making of fresh soy milk in your own kitchen!
In a Starbucks display case – you don’t find these in the Starbucks over here!
An “xpress” teppanyaki joint catering to the lunchtime office worker crowd – why isn’t there something like this back where I work in SF?
Ok, this is probably the cutest iteration of Hello Kitty I’ve seen in a while – bouquet form!
We took the ferry over to Macau for a couple days. Here’s a streetside vendor of eggettes, the Cantonese version of waffles. Although they come in a huge range of flavors now, I still prefer the original eggy flavor.
Macau’s version of the egg custard tart, here with the addition of osmanthus flowers.
At the A-Ma Temple, I thought these spent firecrackers looked a little like fall leaves.
Ok, on to what I know you’re really waiting for – the sweet stuff.
Lots of bunny-themed merchandise on sale for the upcoming Year of the Rabbit, including these black tea and ginger mousse chocolates from Godiva.
What is more Asian than drinks with happy cartoon faces on them?
If you look carefully at this drink menu, you’ll notice that along with a bunch of possible add-ins, you can also choose the level of sugar and the amount of ice in your drinks (0-100%)! The future of drink customization?
Apparently some of the fruit drinks in Hong Kong will make you lucky (see the fine print).
There are happy faces on the fruits and vegetables as well.
Yogurt is also a flourishing trend over there. I especially like the gourmet, upscale presentations. Not quite what “honey stars” are, sorry – should have checked before I left the shop.
Welcome treats from the Island Shangri-La: phoenix puffs and red bean mousse cakes.
More desserts from the Shangri-la bakery. 
Almond tofu with mango – one of the many classic Chinese dessert soups.
This is another of my favorites: black sesame and almond soups, swirled together.
A chocolate and raspberry torte from the Hong Kong outpost of Maison du Chocolat.
Opera cakes popping up in even the small corner bakeries. I meant to try this one but didn’t have time!
From Sift, a new patisserie near my parents’ place: a maple and walnut cheesecake.
Chocolate and yuzu cupcake from Patisserie Tony Wong, one of the posher bakeries I visited while I was there.
I had a great time but it’s even better to be back home! Recipe in the next post, I promise – hopefully in time for the upcoming Chinese New Year!
Anita Chu, also known as pastrygirl, is a baker, writer, and photographer with a passion for pastry. She trained at Tante Marie's Cooking School and is the author of Field Guide to Cookies, Field Guide to Candy, and Lollipop Love. Anita lives in San Francisco with her husband, daughter, and dog Max. 
great photos! glad you had a nice time.
Wow. Looks like you had quite a trip!! Hong Kong is one of the the best eating cities. I LOVE those little hotcakes on the street.
That trip looks so nice! Makes me want to visit, everything looks so cozy and friendly, I love the smiley faces. I’m a new reader, all the way from Chile 🙂 I think I found my vocation, and I have reaffirmed that with what you say in the Pastry School post, it’s exactly my same thought, about that instant gratification when you see the smiles on the people’s faces who are trying whatever is you baked… and also, because everyday, it’s someones Birthday 🙂
Have a great week!
honey stars is a type of nestle cereal 😀 a childhood favourite!
I´ve been waiting for your posts all this time!…I love your stories!…great pictures. It makes me want to get into a plane and be just in Hong Kong
I was going to skip out on traveling to Hong Kong this year, but I’m totally reconsidering after reading your blog entry. There is just too much good food that I don’t want to miss out on. Thanks for sharing.
Looks like so much fun! We’re gearing up for a trip to China this May and I’m so excited to eat, eat, and eat some more!
Two of my favorite things, travel and dessert. I’ve never been to Hong Kong but now it has moved up on my list of cities to go to. Thanks for sharing.
Carla
wow!! great pictures, great trip!!
I’m sure you had lots of fun in HKG. How I miss those Calbee chips! They are my favorite chips too! Oh my, you’re making me “home sick”, especially seeing all these yummy food I loved! Hopefully, I’ll be visiting HKG soon. Happy Chinese New Year to you!
wow beautiful photos! i am especially intrigued by the almond and sesame soup…sounds delicious!
http://www.icyviolets.blogspot.com
Just discovered your blog through facebook and I love your photos! I will definitely be back.
great photos, welcome back
Looks like you had a great time and got to eat your fill. So jealous!
Love all the photos and the explanations of what they were!
I recently went to China and took time to take lots of photos too! The desserts look amazing, I’m glad you like bubble tea too!
Xinmei @ Pudding Pie Lane
Great shots! I love the Hello Kitty bouquet!
Great photos. Seeing them makes me want to go back and holiday in Hong Kong so badly.
thnks for sharing this,..
Wow these are awesome photos!! Would you have a recipe for that almond tofu with mango soup? It sounds delicious!
Also, what does that little symbol on the bottom corner of your images mean? My former acupuncturist had a tattoo that looked just like that.
Thanks for sharing!