grocery shopping

Originally, most food shopping in Hong Kong was done on the street. Seperate vendors specializing in meat cuts, veggies, fruit, and herbs each held their own shop. With the introduction of more Western shops, many urban dwellers have opted to shop in the organized, air conditioned grocery stores. One reason: convinience. Most grocery stores are in malls, which are attached to MTR (subway) stations. Food markets are very lively and products are more fresh. Many residents still food shop at them, supporting local families, but it can be out of the way and time consuming.

Newer grocery stores like Taste and City Super sell not only Chinese products, but huge varieties of Japanese, Taiwanese and Korean goods. All things Japanese are very popular in Hong Kong, which has made me question the authenticity of new Hong Kong- is it simply a hub for transplant trends? is anything truly Hong Kong these days?

Nonetheless, when shopping in Taste, I found eye-catching products:

Japanese "Moomins" hard candies. The Moomins are actually really popular in Hong Kong, I have spotted many products (decorative pillows, cups and bowls) with the wide-eyed elf-like 1940s characters.Emotional sponges:Nice visual merchandising in the isles displaying Japanese snacks. The pink sakura are made of plastic (one of Hong Kong's past thriving industries; 80% of the world's plastic flowers were made in Hong Kong in the 1960's!)Spotted another adorable child. Not for sale.