By Rachel Ng
February 2, 2024
The Temple Street Night Market, one of the finale events of Night Vibes Hong Kong Campaign, has made its debut on December 15 last year. Modelled after the Shilin Night Market of Taiwan, the night market featuring a variety of food to attract customers is scheduled to last for 6 months, transforming the area once known for tacky merchandise and fortune-telling into one with food stalls and photo spots.
Spanning from Jordan Road to Yau Ma Tei’s Tin Hau Temple Complex, the refurbished market boasts an impressive lineup of 32 food stalls, with 10 of them showcasing local delicacies. From dim sum, beef offal stew, and imitation shark fins’ soup, the market offers a diverse culinary experience.
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Temple Street Night Market Advertisement (Source: @discoverhongkong on Instagram)
One month into business, operators at the Temple Street temporary night market expressed satisfaction with their business and manifested desires to continue operating beyond the initial six-month period, or potentially, even on a permanent basis.
A Hong Kong stall owner Kim, who sells local street food like fish balls and beef offal stew, is very positive about her business.
“This highly anticipated night market did not disappoint!” she said. “The society has returned to normal and traditional stalls like mine have attracted a lot of business. Look at all the smiles of customers!”
She believes that this initiative had successfully attracted more tourists, offering a positive uplift to the food and beverage industry that was devastated during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Pakistani Sah, manning a stall selling South Asian cuisine such as samosas and curry, acknowledged that the street had become more vibrant, despite there being a slight decrease in the number of visitors compared to the initial month when the night market was first launched.
“When the market first commenced, business was apparently better in terms of numbers,” he said.
He stated that his business turnover has slightly declined, with the primary customer base being South Asians and tourists.
“This is mainly due to the loss of interest amongst the locals,” he explained. “But it is good to see Jordan being a vivid place filled with internationals.”
The reopening of Temple Street Night Market has brought about a macroscopic resurgence of economic activity in the Yau Ma Tei area. Store owners nearby have witnessed a significant increase in sales and foot traffic, attributing it to the market’s newfound vibrancy.
Wing Fat Restaurant, located near the Yau Ma Tei Temple Street archway slightly farther away from the night market, attracts a dense crowd, with many locals patiently waiting for a seat. Mr. Zhou, the owner of the Dai Pai Dong, said the commencement of the market has led to an influx in number of visitors. “Many local families have come to dine in. There is a noticeable difference in the flow of business.”
But this is not true for every business.
Although the night market is bustling with crowds, surrounding eateries and shops experience a sparse flow of people. At the farther end of the street, Ms. Chen, a vendor selling towels and underwear, believes that while the night market has indeed increased the foot traffic on Temple Street, it has not helped her business. She describes the current situation as “busy with people, but not with profits.”
Red Flag on Red Lights?
Spanning from Mong Kok to Yau Ma Tei, Temple Street isn’t all about delicacies and exquisites. Further down the street where billboards shine with dimming lights, lies one of the city’s most infamous ‘Red Light district’. While prostitution itself may be legal in Hong Kong, the city has specific laws prohibiting activities such as operating brothels, inducing or facilitating prostitution, benefiting from the prostitution of others, and engaging in public solicitation.
However, when it comes to revitalizing the tourism industry, such business lies in a rather ambiguous position with the presence of such establishments posing a complex challenge. It becomes difficult to reconcile them with the broader goals of promoting tourism and attracting tourists to the area.
On one hand there is a need to acknowledge and address the social and legal implications surrounding such businesses. The laws in place seek to regulate and control the industry, ensuring the safety and well-being of those involved. Yet, the presence of such establishments can create a conflicting image, potentially deterring some tourists who may perceive the area in a negative light.
Wing, a local student visiting the night market with her classmates, said she is aware of the prostitute business.
“I have since young known about the ongoing business in the ‘Red Light District’,” she said. “However, it is still somehow weird to see them lingering around at a tourist area. What would tourists think of Hong Kong?”
She thinks it is to some extent inappropriate for such to come into terms with the night market as she believes it is an impediment on the cityscape. She is worried that more incidents may occur between the business and incautious tourists who wade into the area.
“Perhaps the government should impose regulations on the business just for the sake of the night market. Though I’m not sure if everyone thinks the same way.”
Federick, tourist from Germany, holds an opposite point of view. He thinks that the prostitute activities do not cause a great impact on the area as he does not feel disgraced when experiencing the night market.
“If the local government intentionally bashes the whole business so as to forcefully beautify the street, it is going to make the atmosphere theatrical.” He continued, “I came to visit this city and to love how it naturally is.”
Reported by Rachel Ng
Edited by Jasmine Chen and Irene Meng