Food stalls to light up night market

More than 20 food stalls selling Hong Kong-style snacks will be laid out at Temple Street night market in Jordan from tonight in a bid to make the popular hot spot more palatable to tourists and locals alike.

The new stalls are located in a 100-meter-long area along the street and offer both traditional Hong Kong food and international cuisine. It is understood that the market will be held for around five months and stay open until 11pm.

Festive lanterns were put up at Temple Street, with workers doing final preparations yesterday.

Most merchants participating are owners of nearby stores who hope that the night market can boost Hong Kong tourism.

Fong, who has been running a Chinese pastry store for over a year on Temple Street, said he will sell traditional Hong Kong pastries including black sesame rolls and put chai ko or rice pudding.

"Our store is producing freshly made pastries and we sell the freshest food to customers after they cool down," Fong said, adding he invested nearly HK$10,000 to prepare for the night market.

Fong said the street has been recently welcoming an increasing number of tourists, who enjoy visiting the city's attractions while eating. He expects to earn HK$10,000 per night - 30 percent higher than in the past.

Tourists like busy and lively areas, he said, adding that the night market will attract more tourists, especially on weekends. "We are seeing more tourists from Friday to Sunday and some local customers also buy our products," he said. "Apart from pastries, we also want to introduce more innovations and sell herbal tea and soy milk."

Temple Street used to be messy with poor hygiene, but the situation has improved a lot, Fong added.

"Our street has been renovated and it's much prettier and cleaner now. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department cleans the street every day so I think hygiene is satisfying now," he said.

Turkish restaurant owner Nevzat Durmus said he will sell Turkish kebabs and coffee.

He said the food is not too spicy and will be welcomed by most citizens and tourists. He expects to earn nearly HK$10,000 per night.

Durmus also said he wished to share Turkish culture with Hongkongers and tourists, so he plans to sell his food cheaper at the night market.

"Temple Street and Tsim Sha Tsui are the heart of Hong Kong, I want to show our Turkish food to Hong Kong residents and tourists," he said. "I want to grow [my restaurant] in Hong Kong. I want to offer Turkish coffee and plan to open Turkish coffee shops in the future."

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com