Do you eat slowly? Hong Kong restaurants might be a nightmare for you

- Not rushing while eating is a completely contradictory approach to the reality of Hong Kong, as this city not only considers eating quickly practical but also a way of life. However, for those unaccustomed to this style, dining in a classic local restaurant in Hong Kong, known as a "cha chaan teng," is more like a performance test than a comfortable meal, as the waiter approaches you and begins tapping his pen on his notepad impatiently waiting for your order.

This type of restaurant is also unforgiving towards changing your order, as this action sparks a wave of shouting back and forth between the waiter and the kitchen staff, as if you are not sitting right in front of them. Visitors from outside often misunderstand this style and categorize it as poor customer service.

Many travelers often talk on social media about the "rudeness of Hong Kong residents." However, it actually represents a form of super efficiency and a unique form of friendliness based on mutual respect for everyone’s time.

In the end, managing a restaurant in a city known for having the most expensive commercial real estate market is not easy; rental prices are extremely high, and available spaces are nearly nonexistent. In such an environment, the pursuit of clearing tables quickly to welcome new customers is not born out of greed, but is essential for both the restaurant and the office workers alike, as they need to return to their jobs quickly.

Preparing for a 30-minute meal is a strict time constraint that is a standard operational procedure throughout the city, whether you are in a Michelin-starred restaurant, a trendy modern eatery, or visiting a modest traditional restaurant. One popular restaurant, known for its signature dishes including soft scrambled eggs and honey-glazed roast pork rice, has set a limit on lunch duration not exceeding 30 minutes.

This time frame includes sitting down, ordering food, receiving it, eating, and leaving. However, all city residents consider that time frame to be very generous.

A Japanese traveler shared his experience visiting a restaurant in Kowloon called "Australia Dairy Co," known for its super efficiency and is an ideal destination for those looking for a meal that ends in the blink of an eye. The traveler timed his experience from start to finish: reaching the table took only 10 seconds.

The entire experience, from the moment he entered through the door until leaving, took only 6 and a half minutes. In another experience, a local couple documented their dinner at the same place, where they ordered a bowl of noodles, a sandwich, and a steamed custard dessert prepared fresh in front of them at the table.

Tips for adopting the "fast dining" style: Hong Kong kitchens serve food just seconds after taking your order, but customers must do their part to maintain this fast pace. Practical steps that help if you are someone who eats slowly in a fast-paced city include avoiding peak hours and the busiest locations.

It is helpful to browse the menu posted on the window before entering. On the other hand, hesitating in your choice may expose you to critical looks from the waiters and other restaurant patrons.

You can continue sipping the melted ice remnants at the bottom of the cup even after your drink is finished, or you can hold your chopsticks at a 45-degree angle over the plate of noodles you have not yet finished while engaging in conversation. Both actions are clear signals that you still need extra time, as once you lift your hands off the table, the staff will quickly remove the plate before you can take another bite.

The beauty behind speed: The most important lesson you can learn is that efficiency at work does not often mean hostility. It is merely an expression of friendliness and flexibility; traits that have begun to fade with the replacement of ordering systems via QR codes and automated services for human interaction.