Food trucks can add some spice to the Hong Kong food scene
Street food has an appeal to tourists and locals alike. It adds to the culinary varieties and forms an integral part of food culture in any society. Being the food capital of Asia, Hong Kong knows well how to satisfy the tastebuds of the most curious and adventurous. So when Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah suggested introducing food trucks to enhance our food scene and tourism appeal, it was greeted with a great deal of interest.
That the proposal has aroused so heated a debate in society is probably out of Tsang's expectation. It was briefly mentioned in the budget speech as part of the tourism enhancement initiatives. But it immediately fuelled a debate, including what food is to be served and which department should take the lead. The buck-passing among different bureaus over the past few days underlines the red tape and lack of cross-department coordination for initiatives straddling over several policy areas. The discussion even widened to cover issues like hawkers licensing policy.
The finance chief was understood to be inspired by the Hollywood movie . He may not see himself as the disenchanted restaurant cook who rediscovers his passion for cooking while selling Cuban sandwiches on a food truck across the US; but the US-educated minister made no bones about his nostalgia for the food truck selling falafel - a popular Middle East snack - during his school days.
Critics say it is ironic for the government to bring in overseas street food vehicles when it has a long-standing policy discouraging street hawking. Besides, the city is already well known for its street food culture. If the food trucks only serve hot dogs and pizzas and the like, it can be argued why tourists would come for what are already available elsewhere.
That said, they are not reasons to kill off the idea. Hong Kong is known for being receptive to novelties. Whether the proposal can fly depends on creativity. Behind all delicacies is a good recipe and a good chef. With a bit of innovation and packaging, food trucks can add to our food scene.
