When fast food cultures from around the world enter into the city of Hong Kong, strange things seem to happen. For instance, fast food franchise McDonald’s has opened up numerous McCafés - equipped with sofas, Espresso’s, and cheesecake - in the area in an attempt to meet the needs of the extremely health-or diet-conscious society. Also, Pizza Hut, the take-away delivery catering chain from America known for absence of seating space has transformed into a three-star restaurant with tea sets, professional waiter training, and 10% service charges after stepping foot onto the former British colony.
(On a side note, did you know that Pizza Hut and KFC maintain friendly relations? Together with Taco Bell and Long John Silvers, they all belong to the world’s largest restaurant company, Yum! Brands, Inc. No wonder they all taste so unhealthily good!)
Anyway, back to the topic, last night when we were ravished after a day’s lectures we decided to head over to the IKEA in Sha Tin for the raved IKEA poached salmon. To our utter dismay, our eyes scored the posters only to realize that the delicious set is no longer on the menu. (In fact, there is a petition going on Facebook to “Bring the IKEA poached salmon back!” ) So, we opted for the sad sliced pork and the mundane mushroom pasta in cream. When we turned to find seats for ourselves to receive yet another shocker - the place was packed to the brim like a dim sum restaurant at peak hour and the noise of Cantonese chatter bounced off the walls like a million ping pong balls! Fortunately, we found a spot sharing tables with another couple (of which the male stank of sweaty socks!) and were left to contemplate on this abnormal occurrence while slurping on some faux-high class but economic IKEA mussels.
How on earth did the IKEA experience of relaxing, modern, and creative furniture transform into one like that of a noisy and bustling fast food chain along with swedish meatballs?
(On a side note, did you know that Pizza Hut and KFC maintain friendly relations? Together with Taco Bell and Long John Silvers, they all belong to the world’s largest restaurant company, Yum! Brands, Inc. No wonder they all taste so unhealthily good!)
Anyway, back to the topic, last night when we were ravished after a day’s lectures we decided to head over to the IKEA in Sha Tin for the raved IKEA poached salmon. To our utter dismay, our eyes scored the posters only to realize that the delicious set is no longer on the menu. (In fact, there is a petition going on Facebook to “Bring the IKEA poached salmon back!” ) So, we opted for the sad sliced pork and the mundane mushroom pasta in cream. When we turned to find seats for ourselves to receive yet another shocker - the place was packed to the brim like a dim sum restaurant at peak hour and the noise of Cantonese chatter bounced off the walls like a million ping pong balls! Fortunately, we found a spot sharing tables with another couple (of which the male stank of sweaty socks!) and were left to contemplate on this abnormal occurrence while slurping on some faux-high class but economic IKEA mussels.
How on earth did the IKEA experience of relaxing, modern, and creative furniture transform into one like that of a noisy and bustling fast food chain along with swedish meatballs?
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