STORY: A timeless Hong Kong food stall serving tradition and comfort
SHOOTING TIME: June 3, 2024
DATELINE: July 25, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:30
LOCATION: HONG KONG, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the scenes of Sing Heung Yuen
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): YOERICK LANKHOFVV, Customer
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): KE, Customer
4. various of the scenes of Sing Heung Yuen
5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Cantonese): IRENE LEE, Owner of Sing Heung Yuen
6. various of the scenes of Sing Heung Yuen
7. SOUNDBITE 4 (Cantonese): IRENE LEE, Owner of Sing Heung Yuen
8. various of the scenes of Sing Heung Yuen 
STORYLINE:

This seemingly ordinary food stall, nestled in an alley in China's Hong Kong, has a history of nearly 70 years and is always full of customers.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): YOERICK LANKHOFVV, Customer
"Actually my girlfriend chose it because we were planning to go to Hong Kong and kind of looked up on the Internet what is unique and kind of defines Hong Kong, and we want to try it out. I think the food is really good, not something we've tasted before."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): KE, Customer
"I find the noodles less greasy because they are cooked with tomato soup base. The side dishes, such as the chicken cutlet, are also delicious."

At Sing Heung Yuen, the signature dish macaroni with tomato soup base attracts a lot of visitors.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Cantonese): IRENE LEE, Owner of Sing Heung Yuen
"Our shop didn't originally serve tomato soup. One day my friend was unwell and lost her appetite. She suggested I cook macaroni with tomato soup base. So, I chopped some tomatoes and cooked them together. She tried it and said it was delicious. That was the initial version of macaroni with tomato soup base. We use fresh tomatoes, such as Italian flat and long peeled tomatoes, so that the resulting flavor isn't too monotonous but rather more varied. The tomato soup base tastes just like the one your mom makes at home."

Since Lee took over the food stall from her mom, she has been working in this small place for 48 years. She works here along with her brother and sister.

SOUNDBITE 4 (Cantonese): IRENE LEE, Owner of Sing Heung Yuen
"Running a food stall is very hard work. With so much preparation work involved, we have to get up very early and finish late at night. When you've been doing the job for 48 years, you feel very monotonous. But when you see customers enjoying your food, it gives you a sense of fulfillment."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Hong Kong, China.
(XHTV)