City on a Plate: A Love Letter to Hong Kong From the Queen of Bao, May Chow

May Chow is a bona fina culinary superstar
May Chow is a bona fina culinary superstar | Courtesy of Little Bao
Kieran Morris

Staff Writer

Culture Trip talks to the world’s most talented chefs about the cities that inspire them and the sights, smells and sensations that drive their approach to food. May Chow’s creative and joyful Chinese fusion cuisine has made her into a bona fide superstar, and tables at her Hong Kong restaurants are as coveted as anywhere in the city.

May Chow is the woman responsible for Hong Kong’s bao boom

Few chefs have progressed from rising star to superstar in quite the manner of May Chow. And superstar she most certainly is. In 2017, Chow became the youngest chef to win the title of Asia’s Best Female Chef; what’s more, she did so with a 20-seater, no-reservations diner in some tiny corner of Hong Kong, by the name of Little Bao. Chow’s bao far exceeded cult status – they became a phenomenon, a brand. People would buy Little Bao T-shirts and stickers for their laptops; top chefs from around the world would stop by as soon as they touched down in Hong Kong, queuing just like everyone else for a pork belly bao and a side of truffle fries from the hottest restaurant in the Delta.

speech icon man in bubble

Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
speech icon man in bubble
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

Not bad for a chef with no formal training, having been dissuaded from attending culinary school by her parents, who believed that the rough-and-tumble industry wasn’t fitting for a college-educated young woman to get involved in. But to know May Chow is to know of her total refusal to live by anyone else’s rules. She began surreptitiously working in kitchens in her last year of college in Boston, Massachusetts, and has worked flat out ever since, learning on the job under chefs like Matt Abergel and Alvin Leung, before breaking out with her first Little Bao stall in 2013. Working 16 hour days at a minimum over the past seven years, she has moved from one stall to one diner to a second Little Bao in Bangkok, a gastropub called Second Draft, a larger Little Bao in Causeway Bay and the ultimate expression of her culinary vision: a polysexual Cantonese diner called Happy Paradise.

Little Bao’s legendary pork belly bao had diners queueing for hours, night after night

Happy Paradise is where you see the joyful brashness of Chow in full effect. Driven by her desire to open a place that she would most like to hang out, as well as a complaint from one of her friends asking why “there weren’t any nice gay restaurants in Hong Kong”, Happy Paradise – named tongue-in-cheek like a massage parlour – pairs Chow’s precise, imaginative takes on Cantonese classics with strong cocktails, bright neons and drag-queen glitz. This characteristic boldness has brought international renown to Happy Paradise as well as Little Bao, and further cemented Chow as one of the most imaginative and forward-thinking restaurateurs on the planet. Culture Trip speaks to Chow about her love of the city she calls home, how fusion fits with authenticity and why the spirit of Hong Kong can be found in everything she cooks.

Who are you, and how do you cook?

I’m May Chow, and I’m the chef-founder of Little Bao and Happy Paradise in Hong Kong. I grew up in Hong Kong but spent a lot of time living in the US before I settled back here. I love exploring cultures and their connectivity to one another; my cooking needs to connect the mind with the place and time that it’s in. So, of course, Hong Kong is a huge inspiration for me, and I let my daily experiences here drive my creativity. I’m not overly into technicality – I think much more about the stories behind food, how they connect with people and, of course, deliciousness.

After years in a tiny space in SoHo, Little Bao has relocated to a bright, lively spot in Causeway Bay

What is your city to you?

This city is amazing because if you put the effort in to find it, there’s always a new side to see. There is always, always, something new and exciting happening. And when you feel like escaping the urban jungle – which you will – the beautiful nature here is equally jaw-dropping, and always there to welcome you. My favourite little corner to escape to is Tai Ping Shan Street, which has traditional old buildings, temples and so many local creatives and artists working away. It’s peaceful (well, for Hong Kong), it’s close to my restaurant, and it’s where I go when I need to restore my peace of mind.

What is the flavour of your city?

How can I pick one? The flavour of our city is diversity – authentic diversity – that has come about from centuries of being the epicentre of Asia, where all others cross through. Our flavours can be as punchy as they are sophisticated – from all the different regional Chinese cuisines we have on offer to the hole-in-the-wall hawkers to the lightest, most refined fine dining you can find. We really know how to eat well, and our flavours reflect that. Although if there’s one thing I just can’t find anywhere else, it’s roasted goose, and I love a good roasted goose.

Chow is unafraid to mix and meddle with different world cuisines

What is the character of your city?

We love going out, especially to eat, and we’re very quick onto the next big thing here because news travels fast. It’s easy to see what is exciting people because you’ll see lines trailing out the doors of places. People love to try new things: whether it’s a hot new restaurant or a sneaker release or a new bubble tea shop. Ours is an incredibly efficient city – one of the most efficient in the world – and sometimes, people are a bit spoiled by it. We can get a little impatient over things that delay us or stop our momentum. It’s very go, go, go, and anything that halts that brings scorn very quickly.

Where would you eat your last meal?

Well, of course, I’d say my mom’s. But if not, I’d love to go to a rowdy restaurant like Ju Xing Home, which has the most authentic, homely and amazingly delicious Cantonese food around. With that, and how lovely the owners are, I can’t think of a better place to spend my last meal, with a bunch of friends and family along for the ride.

What is your city on a plate?

I’d choose the sourdough egg waffles from Happy Paradise, and the Szechuan fried chicken bao at Little Bao. Hong Kong is a city that envelops so many cultures and influences naturally and organically, like nowhere else in the world. All of the flavour and excitement of food from around the world is distilled into Hong Kong. It’s in our DNA, and it’s what I like to capture in my food. At the heart of it all, there is that Hong Kong soul that you will always identify in my food.

There may be more seats, but queues have not dimmed for Little Bao since their relocation

May Chow is the chef-founder of Happy Paradise and Little Bao in Hong Kong. Keep up with her on Instagram.

culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

X

Holiday Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

Edit article