In the bustling lanes of Sheung Wan—where steam rises from noodle stalls and the calls of market vendors echo through the air—a familiar voice rings out:
"Char Siu Faan, no fat, please!"
It might come as a surprise that the voice belongs to Charline Chatte, a woman born in the quiet countryside of Brittany, France. But after living in Hong Kong for many years, Charline has come to call this city her home—not just in address, but in spirit.
She runs a small, cozy French grocery and bistro tucked away in a local neighborhood. It's far from flashy and a world away from the polished glow of Michelin stars. What she offers is more heartfelt: the smell of slow-cooked stews, rustic tarts, and food that tastes like it came straight from a grandmother's kitchen.
"I don't want people to think French food only exists in fine dining," she says. "There's also the taste of everyday life—simple, soulful, and full of memory."
In this city of contrasts, Charline found more than a place to live—she found a community. Her Cantonese is far from perfect, and many of her neighbors speak little English. But through small gestures, shared meals, and unexpected kindness—like the night strangers helped her through an alley swarming with cockroaches—she discovered something deeper than language: belonging.
This is not just a story about food or even about cultural exchange. It's about a woman who brought a piece of France to a new land—and was embraced in return. Through political unrest, a global pandemic, and the everyday challenges of running a small business, Charline chose to stay—not out of obligation, but out of love.
"France is where I was born," she says, "but Hong Kong is where I chose to stay."
Today, her dream is to one day pass on that love—and her little shop—to the next generation. Because to Charline, home isn't just where you come from. It's where you're willing to build something that lasts.
(Journalist: Zoey Sun / Cameraman: Jack Wang, Ian Lau, Bernhard / Video Editing: Jack Wang, Zoey Sun / Lead & Subtitles: Li Hao / Cover Design: Jason)
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