The Nightly Spectacle at Hong Kong's Harbourfront Markets Brings 270,000 Visitors

 

HONG KONG - The government in Hong Kong is working to bring life back to its nighttime economy with night markets by the Harbourfront. Since starting in September, about 270,000 people have checked out these markets, as shared by Hong Kong's deputy finance minister.

However, there's no clear info on how much impact these events are having on the economy.

The government is focusing on malls, temporary night markets, and existing events from September's Mid-Autumn Festival to February's Lunar New Year. This period is usually busy for spending and tourism.

As part of this plan, over 80 malls are giving special deals, and public transport is offering fare discounts. The spotlight is on three night markets at Wan Chai, Sai Wan, and Kwun Tong harbours. Also, the Temple Street Night Market is set to reopen this month, but it might close earlier than the others due to being close to homes.

Sailing Through Seoul: A Gastronomic Adventure into Mediterranean Cuisine

 

SOUTH KOREA - In the lively boulevards of Seoul, where a myriad of gastronomic experiences unfolds, genuine Mediterranean havens remain a scarcity.

Nestled within the residential enclave of Ichon-dong, merely a brief ten-minute stroll from the National Museum of Korea, Kantina stands as a beckoning eatery specializing in the nuances of Mediterranean fare.

Distinguished by its unmistakable azure signage and interior aesthetics, the establishment mirrors the city's progressively burgeoning affinity for Mediterranean palates since its inception in 2021.

Kantina boasts an array of approximately 30 gastronomic creations on its menu, encompassing starters, artisanal flatbreads, pasta and rice concoctions, along with the likes of lasagna and an assortment of principal courses. 

Lee Kyu-na, the 34-year-old proprietor and culinary virtuoso behind Kantina, fastidiously crafted each menu facet, drawing inspiration from her sojourns across the landscapes of Greece, Spain, Italy, and Turkey.

Within the precincts of Kantina, every element, ranging from the leavened flatbread to the ambrosial sauces, and even the mulled wine to the Hellenic walnut confectioneries, is meticulously concocted in-house, underscoring the eatery's unwavering dedication to delivering the quintessence of freshly hewn Mediterranean savors.

The establishment's wine curation, encompassing selections hailing from the vineyards of France, Chile, Spain, and Turkey, has been thoughtfully orchestrated to harmonize with the symphony of flavors intrinsic to its culinary offerings.

Discover Matsumoto: Castle, Art, and Nature

 

JAPAN - Matsumoto is gaining popularity among foreigners in Japan. Besides being close to Tokyo and having a lively town vibe, this Nagano city has two standout attractions.

Firstly, Matsumoto boasts one of Japan's oldest surviving castles, built during the Edo Period. It adds a historical charm to the city. Secondly, it's the birthplace of Yayoi Kusama, a famous Japanese artist. Her artworks, showcased at the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, significantly boost the city's profile.

Imagine starting your day at Sioribi Cafe, just across from the museum. Known for its cozy library feel and comfy sofas, the cafe serves delicious coffee with buttered toast. The place reflects Matsumoto's mix of small-town history and youthful urban energy.

The Matsumoto City Museum of Art is a must-visit, especially if you're a fan of Yayoi Kusama. The museum displays her work, including canvas paintings, polka dot walls, the famous pumpkin, and infinity rooms.

In Matsumoto, history, art, and a modern vibe come together seamlessly.

Tainan Set to Host the 2024 Taiwan Lantern Festival

 

TAIWAN - In the coming year, 2024, Tainan City is all set to host the Taiwan Lantern Festival. The spots to check out these glowing lanterns are smartly placed in the historic Anping District and around the Tainan High-Speed Railway Station.

This bright celebration is a part of Tainan's 400th-anniversary bash. Mayor Huang Wei-che of Tainan is thinking ahead about traffic and crowd management, expecting a huge crowd of around 400,000 on a single day, according to UDN.

The area around the high-speed railway station covers a big 28 hectares, offering three main spots to view the stunning lantern displays. In Anping, the other location, there's a 22-hectare spread, including Lin Mo Niang Park, Anping Pier, and the 1661 Taiwan Warship Museum.

Tainan City’s Bureau of Transportation assures everyone that they've got the details sorted. They've arranged for shuttle buses leaving the nearby high-speed railway station every 5 to 10 minutes. And to make things easier, there's a 26-hectare parking lot right at the railway station.

For those heading to Anping, it's recommended to use public transport. There are temporary parking spots set up in nearby areas with shuttle buses to get you there. The Ministry of Transportation and Communication is reviewing a more detailed transportation plan to make sure everything runs smoothly for the big celebration.

Aquatic Agrarian Hub Unveiled Adjacent to Tampines Circular Marketplace & Culinary Hub

 

SINGAPORE - In the vicinity of Tampines Round Market & Food Centre, a groundbreaking initiative has taken shape—an avant-garde containerized pisciculture installation has emerged, promising an exclusive culinary experience for the local denizens.

On the recent Sunday of November 19, a containerized fish farm made its debut, marking a pioneering foray into the landscape of HDB towns. Residents frequenting the market are now poised to indulge in the procurement of jade perch, a piscine delight cultivated in the proximate aqua-facility.

This innovative 20-foot container accommodates a cutting-edge recirculating aquaculture system, an ingeniously crafted creation by the local startup, Aqualita Ecotechnology. Drawing on over 15 years of research hailing from the esteemed Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, this system establishes an environment of heightened cleanliness and control.

Aqualita Ecotechnology's brainchild also champions the recycling of fish byproducts, eschews the necessity for antibiotics, and mitigates pollution emanating from unconsumed feed—a paradigm shift, as articulated by the team in their press communiqué.

The confluence of piscine denizens and the innovative system doesn't merely culminate in situational prowess. The entire setup can be monitored remotely, heralding a reduction in the requisite on-site personnel. 

Tailored for the cultivation of jade perch and murray cod, the containerized farm is equally proficient in nurturing indigenous fish species such as barramundi, red snapper, hybridised grouper, and tilapia.

Mr. Goh Chin Heng, the director of Aqualita Ecotechnology, articulates the adaptability of this urban pisciculture marvel, asserting, "We possess the dexterity to propagate fish within the confines of any urban enclave, with the added flexibility to swiftly relocate and initiate a new aqua-farm in a fresh locale."

Against the backdrop of Singapore's dependence on food imports, which currently constitutes over 90% of its sustenance, the nation unveiled its audacious "30 by 30" vision in 2019. The objective: to autonomously produce 30% of its nutritional requisites by the year 2030. 

As per the Singapore Food Agency's revelations for the year 2022, local farms have played a commendable role, contributing 29%, 8%, and 4% to the total food consumption metrics for hen shell eggs, seafood, and vegetables, respectively.

In relentless pursuit of the "30 by 30" aspiration, the government unveiled the Lim Chu Kang Masterplan in 2020—a strategic blueprint envisioning the transformation of the locale into a technologically advanced, highly productive, and resource-efficient agri-food cluster.

The Rise of Chinese Cuisine Entrepreneurs in Hong Kong

HONG KONG - In the span of half an hour from departing Shenzhen railway station in mid-October, Feng Guo-hua found himself in Hong Kong, ready to inspect his novel culinary venture nestled in the heart of Kowloon.

An adept of mainland China's gastronomic realm, Feng opted to explore the city this year with his unique brand of Hunan cuisine. He asserted that the market for piquant fare in the bustling metropolis was far from saturated. More significantly, his aspiration was to extend his culinary footprint into international territories.

"In our odyssey abroad, Hong Kong marks our inaugural destination. Operating a business here is exorbitant. If we can thrive in Hong Kong, we can thrive anywhere," Feng articulated in Mandarin. In the expansive 5,000-square-foot space, servers hurriedly delivered dishes teeming with chilies to patrons.

The 44-year-old entrepreneur disclosed that he and his partner injected approximately HK$8.5 million into the new establishment, encompassing rental deposits, decor expenses, and equipment, nearly tripling the costs of launching a branch in Shenzhen.

In recent times, a slew of mainland Chinese chain restaurants and tea establishments have ventured into Hong Kong. Tony Ng, a Hong Kong entrepreneur with prior experience in mainland China's culinary scene, capitalized on this trend. 

Ng introduced Yao Yao, a chain specializing in Sichuan-style fish soup with pickled mustard greens, to Hong Kong through a franchise collaboration in late 2021. The brand has since established four branches in the city.

Hong Kong is no stranger to restaurants under mainland Chinese ownership, from small familial eateries to enterprises run by ambitious young minds eyeing public listing success, mirroring the achievements of the renowned hotpot chain Haidilao, which amassed nearly HK$8 billion upon listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2018.

Meanwhile, Feng immerses himself in the intricacies of Hong Kong's regulations and financial framework, meticulously calculating the odds. He expressed that, if the inaugural eatery in Hong Kong thrives, his plan is to unveil approximately 20 more establishments in the city over the next two years, concurrently expanding into international territories.

"China's economic recovery will demand several years. Yet, it's not exclusive to China; the global economic landscape is unfavorable. We must also safeguard against the specter of war. What significance does business hold in the midst of a world at war?" Feng pondered. "Our strategy revolves around risk diversification, ensuring our assets are not concentrated in a solitary vessel."

Unveiling the Spectacular Memorial Sculpture of a US General in UN Peace Park, Busan

 

SOUTH KOREA - In a ceremonial spectacle at the UN Peace Park in Busan, a distinctive event unfolded, revealing a commemorative sculpture dedicated to the illustrious Gen. Richard S. Whitcomb, a valiant participant in the Korean War spanning 1950 to 1953.

Entitled "Embarking on the Collective Journey Towards Tomorrow," the artistic rendition honoring the esteemed US General was masterfully crafted by the skilled sculptor, Kwon Chi-gyu, aged 57. Notably, Kwon is the artistic mind behind the sculpture of Ahn Jung-geun, a prominent independence advocate during the era of Japanese colonialism, prominently displayed at the Ahn Jung-geun Memorial Museum in Seoul.

Gen. Whitcomb, distinguished for leading the 2nd Logistics Command in Busan, earned acclaim for his unwavering commitment to aiding war-displaced individuals in the city post the Korean War. Records from the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs unveil Gen. Whitcomb's benevolence, recounting his distribution of military provisions to victims evacuated from a conflagration near Busan Station in 1953.

Beyond his military duties, Gen. Whitcomb undertook philanthropic initiatives, fundraising for orphanages and the establishment of the Maryknoll Hospital in Busan. Additionally, he successfully persuaded then-President Park Chung-hee to allocate land for the establishment of Pusan National University.

In recognition of his exemplary service, the South Korean government bestowed upon him the highest civil merit, the "Mugunghwajang," in 2022.

"I deliberately crafted the platform of this sculpture with a diminished height and adorned it with vibrant hues, aspiring to render it more accessible to the common populace. My intention was to encapsulate Gen. Whitcomb's conviction that the path to healing war-inflicted wounds lies in the realm of education," elucidated Kwon.

"Embarking on the Collective Journey Towards Tomorrow" materialized through public contributions amassed over the course of the past year, destined to be presented as a gift to the metropolis of Busan.