Key facts
- Cantonese restaurants in Hong Kong saw revenue fall 27.9% in the first quarter.
- Non-Chinese restaurants experienced a 10.9% increase in receipts over the same period.
- Lawmaker Jonathan Leung stated Hong Kong lags behind competitors like South Korea in exporting food culture.
- Leung suggested creating dedicated food streets for traditional Hong Kong cafes.
Hong Kong's Cantonese restaurants have been disproportionately affected by a sector-wide slump, with revenue falling 27.9% in the first quarter compared to 2018, according to data from the Legislative Council Secretariat. This contrasts sharply with a 10.9% rise in receipts for non-Chinese restaurants during the same period.
Industry leaders are now calling for Hong Kong to enhance its efforts in exporting its culinary heritage. Lawmaker Jonathan Leung Chun highlighted that the city lags behind international competitors like South Korea, which has strategically focused on promoting its food culture globally as an economic asset. Leung emphasized the need for innovation within Guangdong-style restaurants to prevent further market shrinkage.