I stumbled upon Sara’s blog Nifty Pifty because I was looking on the web on what people were writing about Kureha, a Japanese ramen place in Tin Hau, and then I noticed that she writes great blog posts about living in Hong Kong – and she actually combines all the elements that I love to blog about: food, outdoor exercise and photography. So no wonder she found a new fan of her blog and I found a new interview partner!
Sara (or Saz) is ½ English, ½ Iranian but was brought up in France. She moved to Hong Kong with her boyfriend who’s a Hong Konger. The fact that he’s a local gives her lost of insight into the local culture – and explains why she was able to include some Cantonese in her interview answers!
I have bookmarked several of her posts and added them to my yet-to-do list… these include biking from Tai Wai to Plover Cove (Tai Mei Tuk), visiting the Hong Kong Wetland Park (and wearing lots of anti-mosquito spray!) and exploring the Kai Tak Cruise Pier.
So without much further ado, let me interview Sara about her blog Nifty Pifty – as a side note: she started it for the same reasons that I had started this blog four years ago, as a way to keep in touch with friends and family.
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Describe your blog in one or two sentences. What made you start a blog?
My blog is like a personal and family diary. I started it when I first arrived in Hong Kong with several aims:
- Keep family and friends in Europe updated with my life (although, I believe only my parents are bothered to read it)
- Keep track of what I have seen and done here, because I tend to forget and then I look at the blog and go: “Wow! We did this much since we arrived?!”
- Hopefully be of some sort of help to anybody coming to HK for living or travelling.
What has been your highlight of living in Hong Kong so far?
- The food. Back in England I used to go to a handful of little independent restaurants and it took me a while to find similar gems in HK. After more than a year here I finally have my favourite eateries and I can now officially consider this city my home.
- The photography. I didn’t have an interest in photography until I started the blog. Once I started blogging I quickly realised I enjoyed taking photos. My partner bought a good camera and we started going on special adventures planned around a theme I wanted to showcase on the blog. It’s created a common hobby, but it also makes me much more attentive to the tiny details of this city.
What do you like to do when you are not working on your blog?
Travel! I’m not sure how long I’ll be in Asia so I am trying to see as much as possible while I am here. I have visited several countries in East Asia but haven’t been to the South East yet…I also go to Pulse Dance Studio and California Fitness regularly for some dancing/working out. And I enjoy hiking too but the winter always turns me into a couch potato…
What three dishes (or restaurants) are must-tries for people visiting Hong Kong?
I’ve racked my brain to find my favourite – but lesser known – HK must eats. Some may seem really weird, but they are yummy, honest!
Hong Kong style dessert – ( 糖水 a.k.a sweet water). I love HK style desserts because they are light and made of natural ingredients such as fruit, coconut milk and sago. Many desserts can be served hot or cold and are thus refreshing or warming depending on what you need!
My personal favourites: Dao fu fa (豆腐花 – tofu pudding): best enjoyed warm with a dash of ginger syrup and a sprinkle of cane sugar. Don’t let any preconceived ideas you have about tofu stop you from trying this! You will be surprised! Here is a blog post about a tofu place close to the Kowloon Walled City Park.
Mango, pomelo and sago dessert (楊枝甘露): for a refreshing and healthy summer treat.
My favourite dessert shops are:
– Chung Kee dessert G/F, G4-G5 Wing Tak Building, 15 Canal Road West, Causeway Bay
– Honeymoon dessert, G/F, 9-10ABC &10 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung (but they have various stores across HK)
Red Bean Ice Drink (紅荳冰). Drink made with red bean, condensed milk and ice cream. It doesn’t sound appealing, but it is. I have made quite a few people fans. I quite fancy one myself now that I’ve talked about it. Can be found in HK style cafes (cha chan teng) or Café de Coral, Fairwood and the likes.
Siu Mai (燒賣) and Cheung fan (豬腸粉) breakfast. Every Friday morning, I’ll treat myself to a “special” breakfast: I stop at a street stall on the way to work and buy Siu Mai and Cheung Fan. I personally dislike the Siu Mai served in restaurants as they taste strongly of shrimp. I find the ones sold in street stall often taste less strong and are my favourite. Cheung fan are sticky rice rolls drenched in peanut sauce… I’m full until lunch after a breakfast like this!
What are your favourite blogs?
Healthy Hong Kong. Because I like to lie to myself and think one day I will be healthy and motivated enough to do some of the suggestions made on this blog.
Girl gone Expat. The landscape is so different from anything I have seen…and it makes me very envious.
This Girl Abroad . Her “joys of teaching aboard” series is pretty hilarious.
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Thanks Sara, it was nice talking with you and I’m curious to see what you’ll blog about next! I loved your recent series about Shanghai and can’t wait to see where your next travel will take you!
[All pictures in this post belong to Sara at Nifty Pifty]
PS: Missed a previous interview with a Hong Kong blogger or expert? Check out my series here & contact me on bluebaluinHK at gmail.com if you want to participate.
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