Lack of suitable sites blamed for no new dai pai dongs

Yu Wing Chan

The administration has faced challenges in issuing new dai pai dong (open-air food stall) licenses over the past three years, said Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan.

He was responding to Legislative Council member Judy Chan Kapui of the New People's Party, who suggested that Hong Kong should support fixed-pitch and itinerant hawker stalls selling food with local characteristics to enhance the culinary experience of visitors.

Since the 1970s, dai pai dongs have developed a strong following among locals and tourists, becoming a cultural staple in the city's history.

However, the number of licenses for fixed-pitch cooked food stalls has been declining over the past three years.

Their number has dropped from 22 at the end of 2021 to 17 at the end of last year, a drop of more than 20 percent.

Tse said that the lack of new licenses was due to the challenge of identifying suitable sites. "Dai pai dongs' mode of operations would inevitably cause a certain degree of street obstruction and environmental hygiene problems," he said.

Also taken into consideration are factors such as the impact on residents and the level of competition between restaurants.

Hong Kong is known for its plentiful places to eat out, with a total of 41 cooked food centers, cooked food markets and cooked food hawker bazaars.

Tse said the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department would consider suitable proposed sites with an open mind, provided they are supported by their respective district councils.

When asked about Tourism Board efforts to promote local delicacies, including those served up by dai pai dongs and cooked food kiosks, he said the administration is aware of the need to preserve dai pai dongs' unique culture and will work with organizations to promote existing stalls.

He cited the Tourism Board's support for filming of a MasterChef Australia episode in Hong Kong, which featured street food and Michelin experiences, and its partnering with renowned mainland media outlets to produce thematic programs.