A cup of coffee, a journey of drift, this is a story about dreams and perseverance. Meet Eddie Chan, a barista from Hong Kong. In 2022, he bid farewell to his familiar homeland and crossed the sea to the United Kingdom with his wife and daughter. In a foreign land, he continues his Hong Kong connection with each cup of coffee, spreading Hong Kong culture to the other side of the world. Step into Eddie’s story, savoring the aroma of coffee in his drifting life.
Eddie’s affinity with coffee began in 2003. At that time, he was a media person passionate about photography and opened a creative coffee shop with friends in Hong Kong, where they not only served coffee but also showcased photography works. In 2012, he introduced the technique of “developing film with coffee” in Hong Kong for the first time, using coffee instead of traditional black and white developing chemicals to process film.
“Hong Kong people are accustomed to go to coffee shops or western restaurants. Actually, Hong Kong is a very diverse place, very fusion, the food is all fusion.” This is Eddie’s view on Hong Kong cuisine.
To Eddie, running a coffee shop is not just about making money; it is also a great opportunity for “meeting friends over coffee.” He has made many friends, including a Japanese illustrator, Mango Naoko. Mango was deeply attracted by the unique atmosphere of the coffee shop and created a postcard featuring cats as the main characters, vividly depicting the daily life of the coffee shop. This postcard also witnessed the deep friendship between Eddie and Mango.
Mango is not only a regular customer of the coffee shop but also a good partner for Eddie in his entrepreneurial journey. Over the years, Mango has become a well-known illustrator in Hong Kong, and Eddie’s coffee shop has always supported her creations, selling her works on consignment. The aroma of coffee and art intertwine in “One Little Room.”
After the 2019 “Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill Movement,” the political and economic situation in Hong Kong worsened, leading to a wave of closures of many conscientious small businesses.
“Saying goodbye, but promising to meet again.” This seemingly optimistic farewell hides Eddie’s inner helplessness and confusion. It’s not just bidding farewell to a coffee shop but also to a chapter of Eddie’s life in Hong Kong. With an uncertain future ahead, Eddie can only carry this sense of reluctance and uncertainty as he embarks on an unknown journey.
In 2022, Eddie immigrated to the UK with his family. Nottingham, a foreign city, a fresh start from scratch.
“In fact, in my first year in the UK, I didn’t do anything special, mainly taking care of my daughter and seeking to stabilize my life.”
Arriving in a foreign land, facing language barriers and cultural differences, Eddie felt lost amidst various difficulties. However, he never forgot his coffee dream and yearned to find a new beginning in a foreign land.
“Because back in Hong Kong, making coffee, I always wanted to go around to drink coffee, visit different coffee shops.”
By chance, Eddie discovered a community coffee shop that was up for sale. This small shop reminded him of “One Little Room.” He decided to take over this coffee shop, naming it “Espresso Gallery by One Little Room,” hoping to continue his coffee dream in a foreign land.
“I coincidentally went to that shop I currently run, had coffee there, and the owner was chatting with us. Turns out he was looking to sell. We kept chatting, and that’s how it came about.”
He retained the original sign and staff, wanting the locals to feel the warmth and history of that shop. At the same time, he integrated elements of Hong Kong, such as decorating the walls with pages from the Oxford Dictionary, to make Hong Kong customers feel at home.
Eddie brought the unique features of a Hong Kong coffee shop to the UK. The shop not only offers a creative menu that blends Eastern and Western elements but also presents a “hidden menu” prepared specifically for Hong Kong people, including items like turnip cakes and dried meat-spiced noodles. These flavors from home always manage to evoke the nostalgia and memories in the hearts of expatriates.
“Turnip cakes are actually traditional cakes from Chaozhou, but younger Chaozhou Hong Kong people who have lived in Hong Kong may not know much about them because their parents may not have made them.”
Eddie’s coffee shop not only provides delicious food but also serves as a “gathering place” for Hong Kong people in a foreign land, a warm home. With his dedication to Hong Kong flavors and passion for cooking, Eddie continuously experiments in the kitchen, using limited UK ingredients, to recreate the tastes of his homeland from memory.
Eddie’s coffee shop, with its unique Asian flavors and cozy atmosphere, has attracted an increasing number of Hong Kong immigrants and local British customers. Through food and coffee, he has built a cultural bridge connecting Hong Kong and the UK.
In 2023, Eddie held a Hong Kong news photography exhibition titled “Frontline Focus” at the coffee shop. The exhibition featured news photography works from the Hong Kong Press Photographers Association in 2021, showcasing the changes in Hong Kong society and people’s lives.
“The response was very good. Some people specifically came to see the exhibition knowing that we had it. Some didn’t know but found out and felt encouraged by each other and appreciative of having a venue to see some Hong Kong news photos.”
This photography exhibition attracted many Hong Kong immigrants and local British people to visit. British viewers learned about the social situation in Hong Kong through the photos, while Hong Kong immigrants found resonance and comfort in the images. It was not just a visual feast but also a bridge connecting Hong Kong and the UK, promoting cultural exchange.
“Even the local British customers, when they see it, they ask questions. Though we had captions in Chinese and English, they also want to know more, understand why such things happened in that photo.”
While running the coffee shop, Eddie not only found a new direction for his career but also regained balance in his life. However, he knows well that the changes brought by this drifting journey extend far beyond himself.
“Back then (in Hong Kong), by the time we closed the shop, I closed the shop, my wife finished work and returned home, it was actually after eight. After taking a bath and getting ready, the kids would only go to bed after eleven. If they sleep after eleven, and wake up at around seven the next day, it felt like going to battle every time.”
Today, Eddie and his family’s life rhythm has slowed down, with more time for family companionship, more opportunities to “date” his wife, and more fun playing with the children in the park. Their life has become simpler, more natural, and happier.
“We feel very good now. The kids go to bed at nine because we have dinner after six. They rest a bit, watch TV, relax, and go to bed at nine. At least for the kids, their life is normal now. At least they are not influenced by my and my wife’s work.”
Eddie admits that the drifting life has taught him to cherish the present, be grateful for life. He also realizes that dreams do not have to be grand; happiness can be found in the simplicity of everyday life.
“I would describe myself as lucky. I’ve seen people leaving Hong Kong and not really adapting well to different places because it’s never easy. Everyone has lived in a place for decades, grown up there for decades, and suddenly they move to a different place.”
In the future, Eddie hopes to continue operating his coffee shop, providing a warm harbor for the local community and Hong Kong immigrants. He also looks forward to more opportunities to collaborate with Mango, showcasing the cultural charm of Hong Kong to more people.
Eddie’s story shows us that, even in the face of life’s challenges, as long as we hold onto our passion and courage to pursue dreams, we can find our own sky. No matter where we are, we can use our own way to continue the emotions of our homeland and convey the charm of culture. Drifting can also be a wonderful life journey.