Have Your Say – Ma Yin Lam

Author/ Being Neighbourly
27 September 2025

Minnie Ma was born and raised in Hong Kong and is a university student majoring in Hong Kong Studies and Geography at The University of Hong Kong. Minnie lives in Tai Wai, which she describes as a dynamic New Territories community.

How long have you lived where you live?

I have lived in Tai Wai since I was born.

Can you see yourself anywhere else?

I am open-mined and believe that it’s good to try new things. So, I might move to another city for study or work someday —if there’s a good opportunity. However, Hong Kong will always be home. Despite its serious air pollution, intense working hours and high cost of living, I enjoy life here. I feel that my sense of belonging to Hong Kong is stronger than it would be elsewhere.

What’s so great about your home/neighbourhood?

The social fabric or human touch is quite strong in my neighbourhood, where there are plenty of public spaces for residents to meet up or take a break, such as parks and benches close to the shopping centre. You can observe lots of neighbours gathering, talking and laughing. Some of them are elderly, while others are middle-aged women waiting for their kids to finish school.

Best little known gems?

The stationery shop near my home, Hung Cheong Stationery Company, is long-established. Owned by a married couple, it not only provides stationery, but sports equipment such as balls; and household items. Because of Hong Kong’s unaffordable rent, many small, family-owned stationers like this one have vanished. Its atmosphere makes me nostalgic.

Best places to eat breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner?

I usually spend most of my time at school, so I always have lunch in Pokfulam. Sometimes, I dine in school outlets like Oliver’s Super Sandwiches with my classmates. I always order spaghetti with Norwegian smoked salmon, clams, and creamy dill sauce because I love its texture!

I also like eating Hunan cuisine at Hunan Stir-Fry, which is close to my school. The most impressive dish is the Sichuan Boiled Fish, which is a perfect balance of spicy, numbing and savoury notes that make it irresistible.

For dinner, I sometimes hang out with my mother at The One Char Siu, near Tai Wai Station. We like the Siu Mei Rice (燒味飯)——BBQ Pork and Steamed Chicken on Rice to which the restaurant has added a little something (a fried egg). The taste is rich, aromatic and delightful. This dish originated from a popular Stephen Chow movie, The God of Cookery (1996), and has gradually become our local signature food.

Best places to drink coffee/find a drink?

Outside Tai Wai Station, there are a lot of tea shops. I sometimes go to ShareTea for a bubble tea, a small shop usually with just one staff member. I enjoy drinking a bubble tea while taking a walk.

Best other hangouts?

I like spending time in bookshops, and one bookshop in particular, Eslite Bookstore, in Tai Wai, where I enjoy chilling in the comfy corner with chairs and desks. I like reading about Hong Kong, history and politics. I love surrounding myself with books.

What’s true/not true about your neighbourhood?

Some people may wrongly think that our activities mainly take place in The Wai shopping mall, but, in fact, there are many small shops that we frequently visit. The dynamic environment of Tai Wai reflects our own unique lifestyle. Although people may perceive Tai Wai to be homogeneous, we do try to emphasise diverse cultures.