Chua Lam, legendary Hong Kong food critic and filmmaker, dies at 83
A statement on his official Facebook page confirmed his death at the Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital, surrounded by family and friends.
Per his wishes, no ceremony was held, and his body was cremated to avoid inconveniencing loved ones.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), born in Singapore in 1941, Chua's illustrious career spanned multiple fields, leaving a lasting mark on Hong Kong's cultural and culinary landscapes.
At just 14, he published his first article in Nanyang Siang Pau. He later moved to Japan to study film and settled in Hong Kong in 1963, where he worked with iconic studios like Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest.
Among his notable film productions were Jackie Chan's Wheels on Meals, Armour of God, and Mr Nice Guy.
Chua was a celebrated figure in food journalism, known for his discerning palate and dedication to uncovering the finest culinary experiences.
He authored numerous travel journals and food critiques and hosted acclaimed shows such as Celebrity Talk Show, which featured Hong Kong's biggest stars of the era, including Leslie Cheung and Maggie Cheung.
SCMP in its report said that in addition to his columns and books, Chua organised culinary tours across Asia and the world, sampling multiple dishes daily to identify and recommend the best local specialities.
His influence extended to consulting on popular food documentaries such as A Bite of China and Once Upon a Bite.
Despite personal challenges, including a severe hip injury and the loss of his wife in recent years, Chua continued to inspire through his reflections on life and food.
His final memoir, Lived, released earlier this year, shared his vibrant experiences, resilience, and deep appreciation for gastronomy.
According to the report, Chua's contributions earned him a place among the 'Four Talents of Hong Kong,' alongside literary and cultural giants Jin Yong, Ni Kuang, and James Wong.
His legacy continues to shape the city's cultural and culinary heritage, marking the end of an era in Hong Kong's entertainment and food scene.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Linda Chung on natural childbirth experience: 'I struggled to walk afterwards'
Hong Kong-based actress Linda Chung shares three children with Jeremy Leung, whom she married in 2015. Photo: Linda Chung/Instagram Canadian actress Linda Chung has been happily married to chiropractor Jeremy Leung since 2015, and the couple share three children – Kelly, eight, Jared, six, and Anika, two. In a recent interview on Hong Kong actress Carol Cheng's online programme, Chung said marriage and family had always been part of her dream since she was younger. 'But after entering the entertainment industry, that dream kept getting pushed back. At one point, I even thought I might never get married,' the 41-year-old said. Chung, who's based in Hong Kong, then recounted her first pregnancy, revealing that the biggest struggle was dealing with the hormonal changes in her body. 'Although I looked slim, some parts of my body became swollen and painful,' the former TVB star said. The actress went on to explain why she chose a natural delivery over a caesarean section. 'I wanted to experience what my mum went through when she gave birth to me,' she shared. Chung revealed that the recovery was grueling as she had torn badly, adding: 'I struggled to walk afterwards.' Still, enduring the physical pain of a natural delivery made her realise just how strong she was. For her second and third child, Chung took an even bolder step, opting for home births. Inspired after speaking with other parents, she thoroughly researched the process and adjusted her diet to prepare. Her efforts paid off in the end. 'No stitches were needed then. I could walk right away, and the wound healed well,' she said.
Barnama
8 hours ago
- Barnama
Slamfest 2025 Expected To Boost Malaysia's Presence On Global Wrestling Stage
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's premier professional wrestling event, Slamfest 2025, set to take place on Aug 30 at Stadium Juara, Bukit Kiara, is expected to serve as a platform for local talents to catch the attention of global wrestling giant World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Asia-Pacific (APAC) Wrestling founder Ayez Shaukat Fonseka Mohd Farid, better known as Shaukat, said the event would be attended by WWE Independent Development (WWE ID) scouts, who will assess the potential of more than 10 local wrestlers as they battle it out in the ring. 'It's not easy for a brand from a small country like Malaysia to be recognised and given the opportunity to work with such a huge company like WWE. bootstrap slideshow 'This is our chance to prove that talents from Malaysia are world-class and capable of producing future WWE Superstars,' he told a press conference in Puchong today. Apart from APAC Wrestling athletes from Singapore, the Philippines, Japan, and Australia, Slamfest 2025 will feature eight matches, including appearances by former WWE champion Jinder Mahal, now known as Raj Dhesi, and wrestlers from WWE ID. Among the main attractions will be a match between Shaukat and Raj Dhesi, as well as a clash between Malaysia's most feared wrestler, 'Dreamkiller' Azroy, who will defend his APAC Wrestling championship against WWE ID men's champion Cappucino Jones. The APAC Wrestling women's championship will also be on the line in a showdown between Malaysia's own Nor 'Phoenix' Diana and WWE ID's first women's champion, Kylie Rae. Speaking about his upcoming bout with Dhesi, Shaukat admitted feeling the pressure of facing his opponent but hoped to deliver a performance that fans would remember. Tickets for Slamfest 2025, priced from RM130 to RM560, are available via Ticket2U at while the event can also be streamed live on CloudJoi and Shaukat's TikTok for RM35.
Malay Mail
12 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Turns out ‘Baby Shark' didn't bite anyone's tune — South Korea's top court rules it's not a rip-off
SEOUL, Aug 14 — South Korea's top court ruled Thursday that the globally popular South Korean children's song Baby Shark was not plagiarised, rejecting a copyright claim filed by a US-based composer. With its catchy lyrics, the Baby Shark Dance video is the most viewed on YouTube, with more than 16 billion views, roughly double those of the runner-up, Despacito, and third-place Wheels on the Bus. In 2019, New York composer Johnny Only, whose legal name is Jonathan Wright, filed a lawsuit in Seoul, alleging that the 2015 hit Baby Shark by South Korean education startup SmartStudy copied a song he had released in 2011. Only demanded 30 million won (RM90,980) in compensation, accusing the firm of copying elements of his work, including its bassline and rhythm. SmartStudy, now known as The Pinkfong Company, argued that its version was an adaptation of a classic North American children's tune that is not protected by copyright. A South Korean lower court initially cleared the company of the charges at a trial in 2021, finding that there was insufficient evidence of copyright infringement. That ruling was upheld by an appeal court in 2023. Only then challenged the 2023 decision, but South Korea's Supreme Court affirmed the lower court rulings on Thursday. 'All appeals were dismissed and the lower court's rulings were upheld,' according to court documents seen by AFP. The Pinkfong Company said in a statement Thursday that the Supreme Court's decision confirmed Baby Shark was 'based on a traditional singalong chant that has entered the public domain'. The company said it had given 'a fresh twist to the chant by adding an upbeat rhythm and catchy melody, turning it into the pop culture icon it is today'. Only did not immediately reply to an AFP request for comment. He told Canadian public broadcaster CBC in 2019 that he had created a toddler-friendly version of Baby Shark in 2011, revising the original song, which was about a gory shark attack. 'I was the first one that did that (rewriting the song), you know? And basically Pinkfong's version does the same thing,' he said in the interview. — AFP
