Goodbye, Stellar – And Hello, One Last H

Checking out of The Stellar this morning felt a little bittersweet. This hotel had been our cozy home base for the week, and it really delivered—comfortable, well-located, and even equipped with a laundry machine (a true lifesaver for longer trips). But all good things must come to an end, so we packed up, said goodbye to our temporary home, and stepped out for one last day in Hong Kong.

And that’s when I saw a man casually torching a pig foot right outside the hotel.

He worked the pork shop next door, and as we left, he was giving a pig’s foot the full blowtorch treatment—a sight I had never encountered before. Turns out, this is a common way to remove hair and crisp the skin before cooking, whether it’s for braised dishes, soups, or traditional celebrations. A customer had just bought the piece, and the whole interaction was so effortless, so normal, while I stood there equal parts fascinated and in awe of this everyday culinary moment.

From there, we hopped on the MTR and made our way to Hong Kong International Airport, where we stored our luggage before heading out for one final round of exploration. Because why wait at the airport when there’s still so much to see?

The Cool Things I Saw Today

1. Food Donation Angel Machines
I stumbled upon a vending machine for food donations, where people could drop off food items for those in need. Imagine a reverse vending machine, but for kindness. Hong Kong’s dense population means space is limited for big charity operations, so this is an innovative way to encourage direct food-sharing in an efficient, urban-friendly way.
2. Corgi Bum Egg Tarts at KFC
Yes, you read that correctly. KFC in Hong Kong sells egg tarts shaped like corgi butts. I miss my Mochi and Potato.
3. The Legendary Hong Kong Bakeries and Roasted Goose Shops
If there’s one thing I had to capture before leaving, it was the glorious sight of Hong Kong bakeries and roasted meat shops. These places line the streets, each window filled with trays of fresh pineapple buns, egg tarts, pork buns, and breads next door to many whole roasted ducks and geese hanging in glass cases.Read more