On June 27, Hong Kong’s renowned food connoisseur, writer, and film producer Chua Lam’s Weibo account released an obituary, confirming his peaceful passing on June 25 at Hong Kong Adventist Hospital at the age of 83. With Mr. Chua Lam’s passing, it marks the end of an era in the cultural landscape as he was one of the “Four Great Talents of Hong Kong” along with Louis Cha, Ni Kuang, and James Wong.
Born on August 18, 1941, in Singapore to Cantonese Chaozhou ancestry, Chua Lam later relocated to Hong Kong. Throughout his life, he wore multiple hats, being a food connoisseur, writer, film producer, TV host, and more.
Since arriving in Hong Kong in 1963, Chua Lam immersed himself in the film industry for decades, serving as a producer for Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest among others. He successfully produced classic films like “Fast Car”, “City Hunter”, leaving a lasting mark on the golden era of Hong Kong cinema.
From 1997 onwards, Chua Lam shifted his focus to the culinary world, collaborating with television networks to create multiple food programs. His shows like “Chua Lam’s World Tour” and “Chua Lam’s Gourmet” garnered high viewership due to his unique perspective and witty style, earning him the title of “God of Food”.
Chua Lam was renowned for his carefree and unguarded life philosophy. He advocated for a spontaneous way of living and believed that exploring local markets around the world was the most enriching travel experience.
After his wife Fang Qiongwen passed away in 2023, Chua Lam, who had no children, chose to reside in a hotel suite and hired a professional team at a monthly cost of HK$500,000 to look after his daily life, rather than opting for a nursing home. Earlier this year, his autobiography “Living Through” was officially published, where he wrote, “I have always believed that experiences lead to contentment.”
Apart from his contributions to the cultural sphere, Chua Lam also made significant strides in business. The “Chua Lam Dim Sum” brand, established in collaboration with Kam Tong Ming Group, currently operates over 100 stores nationwide. In a tribute to him, the brand website has been unified with a black and white theme.
Chua Lam’s passing is not just a great loss to the culinary cultural world but also symbolizes the end of a golden cultural era in Hong Kong.
The Four Great Talents of Hong Kong, namely Louis Cha, Ni Kuang, James Wong, and Chua Lam, have left an indelible mark on generations of Hong Kongers and have achieved recognition in the wider Chinese-speaking world. Louis Cha is renowned for his martial arts novels, Ni Kuang excels in science fiction, James Wong is known for his popular music and humorous style, while Chua Lam is celebrated for his expertise in food, film, and literature. James Wong passed away in 2004 due to cancer, followed by Louis Cha in 2018, Ni Kuang in 2022, and now Chua Lam’s recent passing, leaving a deep sense of nostalgia in Hong Kong’s cultural circle.