Hong Kong Fair celebrates Cantonese street food, music, and culture

By Staff Writers Abigaile Lei and Aaqib Zishan

The smell of sweet egg waffles and the sounds of Cantonese pop filled the air at the Hong Kong Fair on August 16. Featuring more than 30 booths and a live band, the fair captivates visitors with unique food and sounds from the region. At the entrance, a comically tiny firefighting buggy accompanied by two distinctive taxis greets guests. A whimsical opportunity for snapping a few photos, this touch of Hong Kong culture, as a detail unseen in America, represented a nostalgic start to the event. 

Walking deeper into the fair, the smell of boiling curry fish balls and frying egg waffles prompted many to buy a taste of the culture’s delicacies. Hands full of fishcakes and egg waffles, one visitor emphasized his enjoyment of Cantonese cuisine. ‘My favorite part about the fair is actually the community,“ visitor Michael Lee said. “It’s a rare sight to see so many Hong Kongers in one place at the same time.” A live band played both Cantonese and English pop, the sound echoing throughout the fair and sparking a sense of livelihood and energy in visitors. Beyond food and souvenirs, the booths provided small businesses an opportunity to connect with the community and share their mission. “I keep coming back [to the fair] because it’s so fun to be part of it and gather with Hong Kong folks and see our community grow,” booth owner Wendy Leung said. 

Hosted by the HongKonger Community Center (HKCC), the fair’s objective is to build a community of people interested in Hong Kong’s traditions. The organization also hosts workshops and opportunities for community service at their building on Osgood Rd. “Our mission is to connect people within the Bay Area,” HKCC Head and event organizer Alex Woo said. “People from Hong Kong are interested in [this] culture, so [we] built a grassroots connection by organizing this fair.” Celebrating unique traditions and rich culture through singular culinary tastes, heartwarming music, and a tight-knit community, the festival offered attendees an immersive experience into the vibrant culture of Hong Kong.