An Ode to Mama

Being Neighbourly x Alia Amar, KARAM

Author/ Being Neighbourly
10 September 2025

What a great compliment to be called the Queen of Dubai Chocolate [in Hong Kong]!” exclaims Alia Amer about a conversation that started on the Being Neighbourly, Central & Western Facebook group.

According to her, the moniker is likely due to what goes into her product and what stays out, “the finest ingredients from French chocolate to organic pistachio paste; and avoiding additives, stabilisers and preservatives —along with reducing sugar.”

Amer’s first encounter with Dubai chocolate was in the City of Gold.

“It felt so close to home [Amer hails from Palestine on both her parents’ sides but was brought up in Jordan] and the idea of recreating the delicious chocolate immediately came to mind! I wanted to bring the taste to Hong Kong, although I had never been interested in making chocolate before.

Amer set up KARAM in 2020, when her mother passed away. She had moved to Hong Kong, “a place that immediately felt like home,” from Jordan in 2001 for her husband Yousef’s job in logistics and shipping and they have built their family here. “So, without my husband, I would not have been able to make this happen!” she says graciously.

However, it was Amer’s mother Karam, who motivated the company’s inception and for this, her daughter has named her company after her. ‘Karam’ is the Arabic word for ‘Generosity’ and is quite prominent in Arabic culture, “that’s what I want to stand for, as well as representing my culture and heritage,” she explains. “I felt that this was her dream [for me to have my own company] and I wanted to make her proud.”

In a world that often pressures individuals to choose between personal and professional fulfillment, Amer says her parents showed her a middle way.

“One of the most valuable lessons I learned from my mother is that if you truly want something and are willing to work hard for it, success is within reach. Her constant support and faith in my abilities have been invaluable. As I embark on this journey, I carry her words close to my heart, knowing they will continue to motivate me through every challenge and triumph,” she says, in tribute to her mother.

Amer says that while kunafah is a dessert that is famous in her home town, Dubai chocolate is a new addition to Middle Eastern cuisine, “It has no history but has definitely been making its presence felt in our cuisine,” she informs, adding that she only makes the pistachio kunafah chocolate bar. “I don’t do any other tastes as I feel that this is what spoke to me the most and the combination of tastes is just right.”

“It goes so well with a cup of Turkish coffee —or any kind of coffee for that matter,” she says, adding that the size of the bar means that it’s perfect to be shared with friends.

Though Amer only produces one chocolate bar to date, in toothsome milk and dark variations, she does offer other finger-licking options: Dubai chocolate cake, Pistachio kunafah stuffed dates, Dubai pistachio kunafah chocolate cake, Karam baklava, Fudgy brownie topped with pistachio kunafah; not to mention, cooking classes to introduce her native cuisine to this part of the world. Items include Arabic dishes from Palestine, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon and the 3-hour classes take place at venues convenient to the client locations.

Amer says she is currently in the process of launching a website and entering the catering space, giving food-focused Hong Kongers something really special to look forward to. And now, for another piece of that chocolate…

KARAM chocolate costs 290HKD for 210 grams —and there is no minimum order. Enquiries and orders for KARAM chocolate mooncakes are welcomed.

What’s the best work advice you have received?

“In navigating the complexities of life and career, many of us find our greatest sources of motivation in the people closest to us. For me, that inspiration has always come from my parents. Their unwavering dedication and hard work have set a remarkable example that has shaped the person I am today,” says Alia Amer, Founder of KARAM.

“My mother, in particular after who my company is named, has been a beacon of strength and encouragement throughout my life. As a mother of five, she managed to balance the demands of family life with her career aspirations. Her journey was nothing short of extraordinary; she worked tirelessly to provide us with a great life, all while pursuing her dream job. This commitment instilled in me a deep sense of what it means to strive for one’s goals.”

“After becoming a full-time mum myself, I initially chose to focus solely on my children. However, as they grew older, my mother gently reminded me of the importance of balance. She encouraged me to pursue my own aspirations while fulfilling my role as a mother. Her belief in my potential was a powerful motivator, making me realize that with the right mindset, I could indeed juggle both responsibilities.”

KARAM
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