https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/678/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg There’s something great about ramen restaurants in Hong Kong – wherever you go in the city, you’re never far from a steaming bowl of the hearty Japanese noodles. What could be better on a cool day like today? These places, all reviewed recently by SCMP.com, all made a good impression. Best of all, you can eat your fill at lunch or dinner for under HK$100 a head. Click on headlines to read our reviews in full. Ebi Kin Ramen, Central Going against the popularity of tonkotsu ramen, which uses as... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1925802/5-great-value-hong-kong-ramen-restaurants-cool-spring-day?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1925802/5-great-value-hong-kong-ramen-restaurants-cool-spring-day?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Mar 2016 05:30:30 +0000 Winter can dry out hands and nails but there are creams available to keep your mitts soft and sexy.   Billie Goat Soap’s Intensive Hand Cream (HK$68/75ml) is the answer to dehydrated and sensitive skin, thanks to a nourishing blend of goat’s milk – its signature ingredient – as well as nut oils, shea butter, glycerin, aloe vera and calendula extract. Initially formulated to help eczema sufferers, this Australian skincare range is available at Watsons Hong Kong.               RMK’s Nail & Hand... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/post-magazine/health-beauty/article/1916131/three-hand-creams-keep-winter-chill-your-mitts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/post-magazine/health-beauty/article/1916131/three-hand-creams-keep-winter-chill-your-mitts?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Feb 2016 14:41:44 +0000 Bad experiences have made ceramic artist Johnson Tsang Cheung-shing wary of video interviews. The last time he accepted a television station’s request, he went to considerable effort to present his porcelain figurines in different stages of preparation to illustrate the creative process. But the scramble and stress he endured on the shoot did not pay off, Tsang says. All too often such videos prove disappointing; moreover he is fed up with how the post-production editing distorts what he says in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts-entertainment/article/1916160/putting-hong-kongs-forgotten-figures-spotlight?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts-entertainment/article/1916160/putting-hong-kongs-forgotten-figures-spotlight?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Feb 2016 16:02:23 +0000 We love keeping track of Elephant Grounds’ weekly changing selection of ice cream sandwiches on its social media platforms, although our cravings to try the interesting new flavours were often dampened at the prospect of the trek to Gough Street or Wong Chuk Hang. But with a third branch opening in the heart of Causeway Bay, our last excuse to miss out on the treat (and calories) is gone. Located in Fashion Walk, the up-and-coming food street where establishments such as Coedo Taproom and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1916130/restaurant-review-interesting-new-flavours-elephant-grounds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1916130/restaurant-review-interesting-new-flavours-elephant-grounds?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Feb 2016 05:00:00 +0000 For many of us living in Hong Kong, a bowl of wonton noodles is the among the great comfort foods. The dish may look simple, but it takes a lot of attention because each of the three elements need to be right – rich broth, eggy, springy noodles, and goldfish-like wonton filled with shrimp and pork all combine to make the perfect bowl.   Mak’s Noodle (Overall winner) Mak’s Noodle was launched by Mak Woon-chi in Guangzhou before the second world war. One of his sons, Mak King-hung, opened a food... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1913707/hong-kongs-7-best-wonton-noodle-restaurants?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1913707/hong-kongs-7-best-wonton-noodle-restaurants?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Feb 2016 09:00:30 +0000 We can always trust Dondonya Shokudo to sate our cravings for a comforting dose of donburi (Japanese rice bowl). Be it the steaming beef bowl, oyakodon (chicken and egg rice bowl) or the assorted sashimi-topped vinegared rice, the inexpensive, casual chain, with a dozen branches throughout Hong Kong, is a good option for a quick meal. To celebrate its fifth anniversary, its brand new Kwun Tong branch boasts an updated menu featuring a number of Western-influenced dishes to reflect the brand’s... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1911411/closed-restaurant-review-dondonya-shokudo-fusion-japanese-rice?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1911411/closed-restaurant-review-dondonya-shokudo-fusion-japanese-rice?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Feb 2016 04:45:45 +0000 When the weather in Hong Kong is this cold, we need some seriously warming food. There are four traditional options: snake soup (not for everyone, we know), hotpot, double-boiled soup, and claypot rice. Some hotpot lovers will tell you the best hotpot is the one you prepare yourself. However, unless you are good friends with stall owners who reserve the best cuts of meat or you are expert at making your own soup base, you’re best off eating out. The creative combination of ingredients at Megan’s... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1909154/where-eat-some-winter-warmers-amid-hong-kongs-cold-snap?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1909154/where-eat-some-winter-warmers-amid-hong-kongs-cold-snap?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Feb 2016 10:45:15 +0000 A good night's sleep may be the secret to glowing skin but these products might come in handy, too.         Bobbi Brown's Radiance Boost Mask (HK$420/75ml) is a gentle exfoliator that features superfine walnut grains, which help remove dead skin cells and enhance microcirculation. Ingredients such as kaolin clay, algae extract and sodium hyaluronate help reduce oil and restore moisture.             Kate Somerville's Mega-C Dual Radiance Serum (HK$825/ 30ml) is designed to transform dull skin... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/post-magazine/health-beauty/article/1905849/skin-products-chase-away-hong-kongs-gloomy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/post-magazine/health-beauty/article/1905849/skin-products-chase-away-hong-kongs-gloomy?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 30 Jan 2016 15:53:15 +0000 Unlike its sister outlet in Central, which boasts authentic Texas barbecue, The Roundhouse Chicken + Beer in Wan Chai specialises in Southern-style deep-fried chicken to contend with the ubiquitous Korean versions. For the venture, head chef Austin Fry flew back to Texas and brought back his hometown recipe, for which the bird is marinated in sweet tea (for sweetness) and buttermilk (for tenderness), before it’s deep-fried in palm oil. This produces pieces of juicy meat encased in a crispy... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1902793/restaurant-review-roundhouse-chicken-beer-wan-chai-southern?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1902793/restaurant-review-roundhouse-chicken-beer-wan-chai-southern?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Jan 2016 03:30:45 +0000 MasterChef Asia is calling for contestants for its second season and potential applicants are advised to learn a thing or two from Woo Wai-leong, the first winner of the competitive cooking reality show. Recently in Hong Kong to promote the programme, which was aired on Now TV, the Singaporean says the show was so stressful he would never do another one, but the experience is so valuable it will last a lifetime. “As long as you’re a fan of cooking and want to see how you perform under pressure,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/1902321/first-masterchef-asia-winner-talks-agony-and-ecstasy-reality-tv?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/1902321/first-masterchef-asia-winner-talks-agony-and-ecstasy-reality-tv?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Jan 2016 23:01:14 +0000 It took inventors Cesar Harada and Shawn Frayne just a couple of days to create their latest product – an inexpensive children’s building toy consisting of colourful plastic rods with magnetised ends. Both men’s core expertise lies elsewhere: Harada designs flexible robotic boats that can be used on environmental missions; Frayne launched a micro-wind device company and went on to run Looking Glass, a start-up making 3D displays. Their collaboration came about because both are part of MakerBay,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/1901185/hong-kongs-makerbay-place-inventors-pool-ideas-and-learn-each-other?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/1901185/hong-kongs-makerbay-place-inventors-pool-ideas-and-learn-each-other?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 Jan 2016 11:00:28 +0000 KEYS TO THE FUTURE I was a bit of a late bloomer. I didn't pick up the piano until I was 13. My sister was taking piano lessons and I thought it sounded pretty good, so I started to take lessons as well. I progressed quickly and, within three years, got myself through grade eight. After that, my family emigrated to Canada and there I continued to pursue my music and arts interests. There's not a lot of art DNA in my family: my dad was a businessman and my mom is not very artistic. For me to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/post-magazine/article/1901108/hong-kong-ballets-paul-tam-puts-success-down-love-art?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/post-magazine/article/1901108/hong-kong-ballets-paul-tam-puts-success-down-love-art?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 Jan 2016 06:00:30 +0000 She’s eight years old, Chinese American and a reality-TV chef with her own YouTube channel. Meet Estie Kung, the youngest competitor on cooking show Man VS Child: Chef Showdown. The cheery youngster was in Hong Kong recently to promote the show from America’s FYI Network, which will premiere on Now TV’s Lifetime channel on January 26. The Hollywood, California, native shares her enthusiasm for food and parties with Vanessa Yung. I started cooking when I was three. My mom was really helpful and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/film-tv/article/1900583/estie-kung-8-year-old-tv-chef-wholl-have-you-eating-out-her-hand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/film-tv/article/1900583/estie-kung-8-year-old-tv-chef-wholl-have-you-eating-out-her-hand?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 Jan 2016 04:00:00 +0000 A lot of Vietnamese restaurants have opened recently in Hong Kong. Com Bánh Mì, which replaces Bao Wow on Tai Wong Street East in Wan Chai, is one of the newest. The design of the restaurant is said to be inspired by houses in old Hoi An, and features yellow and turquoise walls and nostalgic knick knacks. There are high tables and around two dozen stools, and the restaurant does a brisk takeaway business. The restaurant has courted controversy with drink names such as Sucky Sucky and a chef... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1898156/restaurant-review-com-banh-mi-wan-chai-vietnamese-twist?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1898156/restaurant-review-com-banh-mi-wan-chai-vietnamese-twist?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Jan 2016 10:30:30 +0000 Have you always wanted to be a pastry chef? "No. When I was young, I was not a good student. So when I was 15 years old, I started to learn pastry making. After understanding it bit by bit, it became my life. Before that, I'd been baking a little bit every Wednesday. Students in France get Wednesdays off so a lot of times I would make a yogurt cake." What motivates you to continue doing it? "It's my love for creation and pastry. For 25 years, it was a job. Now I have my world of pastry -... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/post-magazine/food-drink/article/1896757/how-chef-christophe-adam-leclair-de-genie-fell?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/post-magazine/food-drink/article/1896757/how-chef-christophe-adam-leclair-de-genie-fell?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 Jan 2016 10:00:15 +0000 Givenchy's Le Soin Noir Masque Dentelle (HK$2,500 for four masks) is made with Calais lace. The black mask comes with a highly concentrated essence of black algae sap to regenerate skin and promote collagen reconstruction. The formula also contains marine spring water for optimal diffusion.     Tatcha's Luminous Deep Hydration Revitalizing Eye Mask (HK$880 for 10 pairs) contains moisturising Okinawa red algae, honeysuckle and antioxidant peony extracts to enhance microcirculation and combat... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/post-magazine/health-beauty/article/1896491/woke-new-years-day-face-these-mask-treatments?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/post-magazine/health-beauty/article/1896491/woke-new-years-day-face-these-mask-treatments?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Jan 2016 06:00:00 +0000 Andy Lau from Hong Kong and Danielle Lin from Singapore, both 24, are the winners of Honestbee’s “World’s Coolest Job” campaign, by getting the highest number of likes (1,916 and 338 respectively) for their video applications and impressing the panel of judges with their enthusiasm. “I have always been someone who’s very eager to try new things,” says Lau, a former policeman. “The comfort zone stops you from realising your true potential. Two things motivate me more than anything – working hard... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/1896019/hongkonger-and-singaporean-land-worlds-coolest-job?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/1896019/hongkonger-and-singaporean-land-worlds-coolest-job?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 31 Dec 2015 22:16:09 +0000 As well as providing baby products reviews and hosting toy-swap events, online family platform ohmykids (ohmykids.org) is also known for organising entertaining day trips to allow children to learn outside of the classroom. In January, there will be two chances for parents to get their children out and about. On January 3, children can get to know more about Yau Ma Tei, a culturally rich neighbourhood through games and hands-on activities in the fruit market, Temple Street and jade market. On... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/1895966/explore-hong-kong-ohmykids-day-trips-children-are?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/1895966/explore-hong-kong-ohmykids-day-trips-children-are?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Dec 2015 22:00:55 +0000 Singer-songwriter Eman Lam Yee-man, one half of former indie music duo at17, talks to us ahead of her concerts at the Udderbelly Festival about singing with a message and the worst Christmas gifts she has received. What was your most memorable Christmas? I don’t usually celebrate Christmas, but the one time I did try, it didn’t turn out well. I was travelling in Europe with friends and we cooked a festive meal in this house with a fireplace and all [the Christmas stuff]. But we got into a heated... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/music/article/1894068/hong-kong-musician-eman-lam-talks-love-and-why-she-doesnt-celebrate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/music/article/1894068/hong-kong-musician-eman-lam-talks-love-and-why-she-doesnt-celebrate?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Dec 2015 02:00:42 +0000 Hong Kong comedian Tyson Chak Hoi-tai is best known for his chameleon roles in Microsex Office, a series of stage shows that later became a movie. These days he is making a name for himself after separating from mentor and PIP Theatre founder Jim Chim Sui-man. Ahead of his holiday appearances at the Udderbelly Festival on the Central harbourfront, Chak talks to Vanessa Yung about his latest projects and his role model. WATCH: Tyson Chak in Microsex Office Tell us more about your show Tyson’s... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1893894/hong-kongs-accidental-comedian-tyson-chak-talks-humour-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1893894/hong-kongs-accidental-comedian-tyson-chak-talks-humour-and?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Dec 2015 22:15:29 +0000 Michael Winslow is a hard man to interview - the comedian makes so many sounds when you talk to him. The self-described “Man of 10,000 Sound Effects” spoke before the start of his December 17 show, the first of three, at the Udderbelly Festival on the harbourfront in Hong Kong’s Central district. SEE ALSO: Udderbelly brings a taste of the Edinburgh Fringe to Hong Kong What is about imitating sounds that appeals to you? They’ve called me a voice-strumentalist. This is always something I did coz... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts-entertainment/article/1892467/ahead-hong-kong-shows-michael-winslow-police-academys?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts-entertainment/article/1892467/ahead-hong-kong-shows-michael-winslow-police-academys?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Dec 2015 10:45:15 +0000 Givenchy’s Couture Beauty Box comes in three versions, including Spontaneous Elegant (HK$1,070), which features a pastel theme for a sweet, whimsical look. As well as a mini fragrance, each box comes with a red pouch, a Christmas card and a make-up guide by the brand’s artistic director, Nicolas Degennes. Anna Sui's Holiday Snow Collection (HK$530) comes in two versions - Frozen Love and Thawed Heart. Adorned with elegant black, gold and purple motifs, each kit contains a rose blusher palette,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/post-magazine/health-beauty/article/1888303/3-all-one-beauty-boxes-special-someone?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/post-magazine/health-beauty/article/1888303/3-all-one-beauty-boxes-special-someone?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Dec 2015 14:59:53 +0000 Hong Kong is a long way from Spain. Was it an easy decision to move here? "I made my decision pretty quickly. Our group executive chef, Jesus Pascual, brought me on board and I asked him a lot of questions before I came, so that helped. It was my first time in Hong Kong and, when I arrived, it shocked me a bit because everything is so different from Spain. Everything goes so fast. But it was easy for me to adapt to Hong Kong and I started to enjoy it quite a lot. It's been three months... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/post-magazine/food-drink/article/1888922/manuel-robles-hong-kongs-ole-spanish-restaurant?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/post-magazine/food-drink/article/1888922/manuel-robles-hong-kongs-ole-spanish-restaurant?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Dec 2015 04:15:30 +0000 With a menu listing humorously named sandwiches such as “porchetta me not” (HK$58) and un’porchett’able (HK$68), you quickly realise that Bread & Beast is going to sell something much better than cheap ham and cheese served on puffy white bread that leaves you full but not satisfied. We’d been hearing good things about Bread & Beast’s wares, which they’ve been selling at street markets and music festivals, and so we were eager to visit the shop in Swatow Street, Wan Chai. The room is decked out... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1888881/review-bread-beast-makes-food-fun-its-unporchettable?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1888881/review-bread-beast-makes-food-fun-its-unporchettable?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Dec 2015 03:00:45 +0000 Ahead of his gig at the Venetian Macao on December 19, Robbert van de Corput, better known as Hardwell, charts his own career from being a warm-up act to the world’s No. 2 DJ What inspired you to become a DJ and how did you get your start? A documentary on MTV about the Dutch scene was what sparked it all. I saw guys like Tiësto and Ferry Corsten talking about this thing called electronic music and I was instantly hooked. I started getting into it from then onwards, I was 12 years old and just... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/music/article/1888262/dj-hardwell-ready-put-macau-spin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/music/article/1888262/dj-hardwell-ready-put-macau-spin?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Dec 2015 04:17:09 +0000 Move over macarons, the eclair is the hottest French pastryin Hong Kongright now. The finger-shaped cream puff, the name of which means “lightning” in French, is not exactly new to the city: global brands including Fauchon, La Maison du Chocolat and Maison Eric Kayser sell eclairs,while local soft-serve ice cream hotspot Via Tokyo, in Causeway Bay, has also been making a matcha version for its sweet-toothed customers. But the launch of L’Éclair de Génie pop-ups on November 25 in Pacific Place... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1885489/eclairs-hong-kongs-hottest-french-pastry-treat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1885489/eclairs-hong-kongs-hottest-french-pastry-treat?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Dec 2015 21:30:30 +0000 Two-time Grammy-winning electro-jazz cellist Dana Leong was in town to perform at the Save the Children gala dinner on November 28. He spoke to us about his upbringing, mixing music genres and his bright orange cello. It wasn’t the first time you’ve performed in Hong Kong. How do you feel coming back? The last time I was here was to premiere a piece that I created called The Sound of Folk Tales. I played it at the Sha Tin Town Hall for the New Vision Festival in 2012. I love Hong Kong: it’s such... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts-entertainment/article/1885500/q-dana-leong-jazz-cellist?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts-entertainment/article/1885500/q-dana-leong-jazz-cellist?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Dec 2015 00:00:30 +0000 Causeway Bay is never short of ramen shops. Be it the out-of-the-way Tamashii Japanese Noodle on Sharp Street West, global chain Ippudo on Russell Street, or the army ofplaces turning Tang Lung Street into a ramen battlefield, there are plenty of choices for the style you prefer. Last month, tsukemen (dipped ramen) specialist Tetsu joined the fierce competition. Founded by Kazunori Komiya in 2005, Tetsu has 24 stores in Japan and this Hong Kong outlet is the first foray overseas. And after our... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1885443/closed-food-review-tetsu-causeway-bay-serves-flavourful-ramen?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1885443/closed-food-review-tetsu-causeway-bay-serves-flavourful-ramen?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Dec 2015 06:00:00 +0000 Body Shop’s 24 Happy Days Advent Calendar (HK$1,499) is packed with the brand’s bestselling items, from body and skin-care products to cosmetics and make-up tools. And as Christmas is all about sharing, Body Shop has partnered with charity WaterAid to provide families in Ethiopia with a day of safe water for each set purchased. YSL Beauté, Giorgio Armani Beauty and Clarisonic are just some of the brands featured in Lane Crawford's Beauty Advent Calendar 2015 (HK$750). The mini products include... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/post-magazine/health-beauty/article/1882884/pampering-advent-calendars-fun-and-glamorous?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/post-magazine/health-beauty/article/1882884/pampering-advent-calendars-fun-and-glamorous?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Nov 2015 15:06:57 +0000 Open for a little more than a month, Brass Spoon has already gained quite a following through word of mouth. The owner was raised in France and is part Vietnamese; he learned about Vietnamese food by working with a chef of a popular restaurant. He then started his own restaurant on Moon Street, Wan Chai, selling a couple of hearty staples. The brightly lit 18-seater has a sleek grey interior with brass and marble details. The menu is short and resembles the order sheet in a ramen shop; you can... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1883155/restaurant-review-brass-spoon-wan-chai-one-busy-vietnamese?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1883155/restaurant-review-brass-spoon-wan-chai-one-busy-vietnamese?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Nov 2015 12:00:30 +0000 Charlie Siem spoke to Vanessa Yung ahead of his Hong Kong debut this week. What’s special about your debut concert with the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong this Saturday? I’ve been to Hong Kong before a few times, but this is my first time to perform here. [I’m also working for the first time with guest] conductor Ken-David [Masur], whom I’ve met before in New York a few years ago. I’m playing two very contrasting pieces written very much in the same period but by very different composers.... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts-entertainment/article/1880792/violinist-charlie-siem-mixing-modelling-and-music-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts-entertainment/article/1880792/violinist-charlie-siem-mixing-modelling-and-music-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Nov 2015 05:30:46 +0000 Hullett House Christmas Market 2015 Inspired by traditional European Christmas fairs, this annual open-air market is one of the most festive options in town. Everything from gourmet hams and cheeses to fine confectionaries, glittery decorations, and stockings fillers will be on sale. Hullett House has partnered with charities HandsOn Hong Kong and Toy Drive to distribute donated toys to underprivileged children. December 11, 5pm-11pm, December 12, 12noon-11pm, December 13, noon-9pm, 50 Pigeons... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/1879834/four-hong-kong-outdoor-christmas-markets-and-three-indoors?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/1879834/four-hong-kong-outdoor-christmas-markets-and-three-indoors?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Nov 2015 00:15:45 +0000 For many years, lobster was considered a luxury in Hong Kong, something to be enjoyed only at banquets or celebrations. It’s still an expensive food, but rich, heavy lobster dishes such as thermidor have recently given way to simpler preparations in the city. And it can’t get much more humble than the lobster roll – a speciality of New England in the US – where lobster meat is piled high into a variation of the hot dog bun. Lobster & Mussels by Paul’s Kitchen in Central is one of the restaurants... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1879871/8-places-hong-kong-put-spin-lobster-roll?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1879871/8-places-hong-kong-put-spin-lobster-roll?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Nov 2015 11:30:45 +0000 Take care of your skin during the dry winter with these lightweight serums.             Retrouvé’s Nutrient Face Serum (HK$3,750/ 30ml) is a “water-based supplement” that nourishes the skin with ingredients such as Squalane, antioxidant vitamin E and collagenboosting ambiaty extract. Available at Joyce Beauty.                   MUN’s No1. Aknari Brightening Youth Serum (HK$815/ 20ml) is a simple blend of anti-ageing prickly pear, Bulgarian rose and argan oils that evens skin tone and refines... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/post-magazine/article/1878123/4-lightweight-serums-dry-winter-skin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/post-magazine/article/1878123/4-lightweight-serums-dry-winter-skin?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Nov 2015 14:30:45 +0000 What are your fondest memories of food? "That would be my mother cooking hourensou no goma-ae, which is boiled spinach with sesame dressing. When I was three or four years old, I used to help my mum prepare the dish by roasting the sesame seeds by shaking them in a pan over the grill." SEE ALSO: The 2016 Michelin Guide to Hong Kong and Macau; who's up, who's down and who's been left out What inspired you to become a chef? "When I was a kid, I loved to eat tasty food. But that didn't directly... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/post-magazine/article/1877839/michelin-star-osaka-chef-opening-his-hong-kong-restaurant?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/post-magazine/article/1877839/michelin-star-osaka-chef-opening-his-hong-kong-restaurant?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Nov 2015 04:00:15 +0000 Wu Fang Zhai has more than 300 branches in Asia, including one in Macau, but it was not until October that the restaurant chain opened its first shop in Hong Kong. Younger generations may not have heard of the Zhejiang-based company, but it is apparently a household name for our grannies, which might explain why it is located in a neighbourhood where many of them reside.  Clumsy service and the weirdly eclectic menu aside – what are shaved ice, toast and waffles doing in a Shanghainese... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1877351/closed-restaurant-review-wu-fang-zhai-hung-hom-serves?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1877351/closed-restaurant-review-wu-fang-zhai-hung-hom-serves?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Nov 2015 04:00:00 +0000 Long before YouTube started supporting 360-degree videos in March, Lai Kwok-chi had been experimenting with the technology for his property developer clients who wanted to present their show flats digitally online - albeit with varying degrees of success. The virtual reality environment, he knew even then, has an enormous appeal to users. By stitching multiple video sources filmed simultaneously into a spherical video, viewers no longer have to follow the one-directional point of view of the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/film-tv/article/1876265/hong-kongs-360-degree-videomakers-riding-high?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/film-tv/article/1876265/hong-kongs-360-degree-videomakers-riding-high?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Nov 2015 14:30:00 +0000 Char siu is one of the most popular – and ubiquitous –  classic Cantonese dishes. Some like the glossy, salty-sweet roast pork to be soft throughout, while others prefer an exterior with crunchy char to contrast with the tender meat. We polled friends, family and food lovers to find their favourite char siu, getting a mix of high-end and inexpensive places. Here are six of our favourites. Most tender Everyone who visits Tin Lung Heen at The Ritz-Carlton knows that one of the must-order dishes... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1875572/six-best-char-siu-restaurants-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1875572/six-best-char-siu-restaurants-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Nov 2015 05:15:15 +0000 It may seem odd that Malaysian singer Shila Amzah makes Hong Kong her base when her career is thriving in China, but there are good reasons. And chief among them is her need to regain a healthier lifestyle. Audiences in China first came to know Shila in 2012, when she won the reality singing contest Asian Wave, which brought a contract with the Shanghai Media Group. Her appearances last year in I Am A Singer, a popular reality show pitting professional singers against each other, made her a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/music/article/1870802/why-china-singing-sensation-shila-amzah-prefers-life-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/music/article/1870802/why-china-singing-sensation-shila-amzah-prefers-life-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Oct 2015 05:45:00 +0000 Spanish chef Martin Berasategui’s Lascarte in northern Spain has topped the 2015 list of the world’s best restaurants based on reviews on travel website TripAdvisor.  Among the site’s millions of globetrotting reviewers, the second spot in this year’s annual rankings was awarded to Europea in Montreal, followed by Maison Lameloise in Chagny, France. None of the top three in the respected World’s 50 Best Restaurants list made TripAdvisor's top three. Travellers’ top 25 Hong Kong restaurants were... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1868370/top-10-hong-kong-restaurants-tripadvisor-include-some?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1868370/top-10-hong-kong-restaurants-tripadvisor-include-some?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 Oct 2015 08:15:45 +0000 How did you get into music? When I was in my early-to-mid teens, radio was the only way to listen to music that wasn’t controlled by the state in East Germany. Its "scarcity" made it that much more compelling. Electronic or synth music was in its emerging stages, so you had those two forces coming together at once - it was kinetic. For me, music, and further to that, electronic music specifically became a fixation. Later on, I managed to get very occasional bits of vinyl (a relative who could... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/music/article/1868313/ahead-hong-kong-gig-dj-paul-van-dyk-talks-east-germany-learning-spin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/music/article/1868313/ahead-hong-kong-gig-dj-paul-van-dyk-talks-east-germany-learning-spin?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 Oct 2015 05:38:54 +0000 If you’re like us and constantly craving Teakha’s masala chai and baked goodies, you’ll be happy to know that Nana Chan, who founded the Sheung Wan tea shop, has opened a branch in Sai Ying Pun. Less than five minutes' walk from the Hong Kong University station, Teakha II is roomier than the original, but has the same charm. The cosy interior is dotted with wooden communal tables and livened up with vases of yellow dancing lady orchids. A giant blackboard by a self-service water machine lists... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1866895/closed-restaurant-review-teakha-ii-sai-wan-baked-delights-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1866895/closed-restaurant-review-teakha-ii-sai-wan-baked-delights-and?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Oct 2015 08:00:45 +0000 Don't let the cooler weather fool you into slacking off on sun protection.           Caudalie's Resveratrol Face Lifting Moisturiser SPF20 (HK$560/50ml) is oil free and designed to tighten sagging skin. Collagen-boosting peptide and a patented complex of vine resveratrol and micro hyaluronic acids help plump skin to make it appear firmer and suppler. With matt powders that even out the complexion, the cream can double as a primer.                 Incorporate Rodial's Bee Venom Day Cream SPF30... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/post-magazine/article/1864548/four-best-sun-screen-moisturisers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/post-magazine/article/1864548/four-best-sun-screen-moisturisers?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 10 Oct 2015 15:00:15 +0000 The Joomak  may not serve the best fusion Korean we’ve had, but its harbour view (don’t forget to book a window seat) and convenient location, especially after  a hard day of shopping in Harbour City, are unbeatable. The edgy interior design and K-pop music playing in the background definitely appeal to a younger audience, and so  does the menu. Calling itself  a Korean izakaya,  The Joomak – like its original shop in Seoul – serves a good selection of snacks and drinks, including some... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1864854/restaurant-review-joomak-tsim-sha-tsui-value-korean-fusion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/1864854/restaurant-review-joomak-tsim-sha-tsui-value-korean-fusion?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Oct 2015 04:15:00 +0000 The founder and creative director behind the Austrian living statue troupe Big Names talks about resurrecting iconic figures such as Steve Jobs, Coco Chanel and Albert Einstein. What drew you to the performing arts field? Radovan Michalov: Performing arts have always been the field of my interest, hobby, something that I like. I was born in Spisska Nova Ves, Slovakia, in 1976 and studied dance, pantomime and theatre art at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bratislava. I’ve gained a lot of performing... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts-entertainment/article/1864840/big-names-brings-living-statues-some-historys-greatest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts-entertainment/article/1864840/big-names-brings-living-statues-some-historys-greatest?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Oct 2015 03:02:37 +0000 His hands protected by industrial gloves, Wong Hung-kuen eagerly ushers us inside the premises of his Chi Kee sawmill in Kwu Tung, Sheung Shui. The 67-year-old deftly cuts a plank from a massive log using a storey-high band saw. "We are one of the few, if not the only, people still doing it in Hong Kong," he tells visitors. It was a thrill to see Wong at work and tour his 10,000 sq ft sawmill, chock-a-block with assorted logs of different species, age and sizes. But just a few decades ago,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/1864278/woodworkers-keeping-traditional-art-alive-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/1864278/woodworkers-keeping-traditional-art-alive-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Oct 2015 22:00:15 +0000 When did you know you wanted to be a chef? "When I was really young, every day I would say to my mum, 'I want to be a cook.' I followed my heart and studied at a catering school for five years, then I went to some very nice restaurants to get some experience. The first restaurant I worked at was [the now defunct] Michelin two-star Gambero Rosso [in Tuscany, Italy] under chef Fulvio Pierangelini, when I was 17. After that I went back to Rome, where I am from, to work at Roscioli. The owner gave... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/post-magazine/article/1862632/king-carbonara-luciano-monosilio-reveals-secrets-behind-his?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/post-magazine/article/1862632/king-carbonara-luciano-monosilio-reveals-secrets-behind-his?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Oct 2015 08:00:30 +0000 One of the cruellest things local indie pop darlings My Little Airport have done to their followers was to name their upcoming concert series "Why Don't We Stay the Night?" Because as much as fans of the popular duo - made up of guitarist Lam Pang (better known as Ah P) and singer Nicole Au Kin-ying - would like to wallow in the warm embrace of their gentle melodies all night, the reality is that after the shows, they will have to return to the problems of Hong Kong society that the duo have... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/music/article/1863458/hong-kong-indie-band-my-little-airports-five-sold-out-gigs-kitec?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/music/article/1863458/hong-kong-indie-band-my-little-airports-five-sold-out-gigs-kitec?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Oct 2015 06:00:15 +0000 Get your sexy autumn glow on with a cheeky bit of blusher.       Tom Ford's Eye and Cheek Shadow (HK$520) comes in pink (left), plum, peach and bronze, with each silky palette of powder infused with light-catching pearls to add colour and definition to eyelids and cheeks.         The newest addition to Jill Stuart's Mix Blush (HK$340) range has four colours in each palette. The versatile compact, which can be used for highlighting and contouring, features a lace pattern and scalloped edges,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/post-magazine/article/1860420/cheeky-four-blushers-sexy-autumn-glow?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/post-magazine/article/1860420/cheeky-four-blushers-sexy-autumn-glow?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 Sep 2015 14:45:00 +0000 Q. So you always wanted to become an artist? A. There was a  short time in my life when I wanted to be a policeman. But that vanished quite quickly. My grandparents are both artists. My grandpa was an architect, and my grandma drew maps for a living. When they retired, they became more into art. My grandpa  paints portraits and my grandma landscapes. So when I was a kid, I used to go and paint with them. I wasn’t good enough to be a painting artist, but that kind of put me on the track of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts-entertainment/article/1861292/why-sean-freeman-has-always-been-type-art-and-how-he?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts-entertainment/article/1861292/why-sean-freeman-has-always-been-type-art-and-how-he?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Sep 2015 04:15:00 +0000