In Hong Kong, many businesses have struggled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but two-dish rice shops are thriving.
These takeaway shops offer affordable meals with a variety of proteins, vegetables, and rice, making them popular among office workers and students. These shops, which were initially common in less affluent areas, have spread to more expensive neighborhoods. They became especially popular during the pandemic when the government banned dining after 6 p.m.
Despite the low cost, the meals are hearty and offer good value, making them a staple in Hong Kong’s dining culture. A crowdsourced map recently identified over 500 such shops in the city, highlighting their widespread acceptance and popularity.
Vocabulary:
• Struggles: Difficulties in making progress.
• Affluent: Having a lot of money; wealthy.
• Neighborhoods: Areas where people live.
• Takeaway: Food that is bought to be eaten elsewhere.
• Staple: A main or important element of something.
• Ban: Officially or legally prohibit something.
• Precooked: Cooked before it is sold.
• Variety: A number of different types of things.
• Serving: An amount of food given to one person.
• Option: A choice or possibility.
Source: South China Morning Post