LAOMAQUE Hunan Cuisine Opens First Hong Kong Location, Expanding into Greater Bay Area Market

Hunan cuisine restaurant brand LAOMAQUE opens first outlet outside Mainland in Hong Kong

​Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) announced that Hunan cuisine restaurant brand, LAOMAQUE, officially opened its first restaurant outside the Mainland in Hong Kong today (May 13), marking the well-established Hunan brand's strategic expansion into the Greater Bay Area (GBA) market.

Acting Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, Mr Arnold Lau, said, "We welcome LAOMAQUE to our vibrant culinary landscape, celebrating the rich flavours of healthy and fresh Hunan cuisine. This addition not only enhances Hong Kong's diverse dining scene but also strengthens our position as a global gastronomic destination."

Located in Wan Chai, LAOMAQUE views this new location as a strategic building block in extending LAOMAQUE's presence throughout the GBA. "The decision to set up in Hong Kong aligns perfectly with LAOMAQUE's central strategy of establishing a strong foothold in the GBA and fulfilling our ambition to become the premier Hunan restaurant brand in the region," said the CEO of LAOMAQUE, Mr Dai Yong.

LAOMAQUE was awarded the "Dazhong Dianping Must-Eat List" and "Guangdong top 50 restaurants". The group's brand "Cheers" was selected in the Guangzhou Michelin Guide from 2022 to 2024.

LAOMAQUE specialises in seafood from Hunan cuisine, with its signature dishes including "boiled fish fillet with soybean milk" and "chop chili and steam fish head". Its dishes have been well received by customers for breaking the stereotype of Hunan cuisine as being overly spicy and greasy. Before entering the Hong Kong market, the restaurant attracted repeat requests from the city's visitors to set up a presence in Hong Kong. Timed with new market opportunities, the group now officially enters the Hong Kong market, showing its full commitment to and confidence in the Hong Kong market.

"There is a saying in Hunan that 'The old sparrow of Dongting Lake, no stranger to stormy waves.' The name LAOMAQUE is inspired by this local proverb, with an underlying philosophy originating from Dongting Lake - the 'old sparrow' brings with it an abundance of seafood and ingredients. With over two decades of adhering to strict standards in food sourcing and preparation, LAOMAQUE has built a loyal patronage, including many from Hong Kong. Over the next one to three years, we aim to open more outlets across the city. In response to market trends and consumer feedback, the brand continues to update its menu and services and introduce banquet-style restaurants with mid-to-high-end private dining to cater to the diverse needs of its customers," added Mr Dai.

The Hong Kong operation serves as a regional office, overseeing day-to-day operations, scouting additional sites for expansion, and recruiting local talent. LAOMAQUE is committed to bringing healthy and modernised Hunan cuisine to a broad audience.

To get a copy of the photos, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720326073089.

Hunan cuisine restaurant brand LAOMAQUE opens first outlet outside Mainland in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hunan cuisine restaurant brand LAOMAQUE opens first outlet outside Mainland in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport

Hong Kong Customs today (May 26) detected two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 11 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds and 18kg of suspected ketamine, with a total estimated market value of about $8.85 million. Two men were arrested.

The first case involved a 62-year-old male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 11kg of suspected cannabis buds, with an estimated market of about $2 million, inside his check-in baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

The second case involved a 58-year-old male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Paris, France, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 18kg of suspected ketamine, with an estimated market of about $6.85 million, inside his check-in baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested person in the first case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and the case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (May 27). For the second case, an investigation is ongoing.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases