Entering November, the weather is still cold and warm, although today (7th) ushered in the "li winter", but the temperature in Hong Kong's noontime urban area is still close to 30 degrees. Traditional restaurants such as snake soup shops lament that business is not as expected, and there is a pick-up in autumn and winter. Mr. Zhou, the second-generation head of the Sham Shui Po "Snake King Association" that has been open for 65 years, said that due to the impact of restricted tight measures and abnormal weather, business has dropped by 40% compared with the past, "At this time, we used to have a queue of 20 or 30 people outside." Mr. Zhou revealed that in recent years, he has designed snake soup soup buns and expanded them to sell them on online shopping platforms, and plans to sell soup buns at the next exhibition.
The weather was unusual, this afternoon is still close to 30 degrees, mr. Zhou, the second-generation head of the snake soup shop "Snake King Association" in Sham Shui Po, said that compared with the same period before the epidemic, at the same time, due to the government's upper limit on the number of people per unit, as well as the impact of weather anomalies, it is estimated that the business has plummeted by 40%, and he hopes that the next cool weather will bring prosperity to the business, but it is expected that the business will not return to its former heyday.
Mr. Chow revealed that due to his food processing licence and the workshop outside the store, he has designed "Snake Soup Soup Buns" in recent years and expanded them to online sales, and plans to sell soup buns at the next exhibition.
As for the price of soup buns, it is the same as that of dine-in food, selling for 80 yuan a pack, which is equivalent to a bowl of snake soup. At present, soup buns have been sold on small online shopping platforms. Although the hot and spicy snake soup was turned into soup buns, he said that customers reported that the taste was good, "the taste is 90% similar to the shop, and for the time being, I hope that guests will accept the food method."
It has been rumored that the government is considering the requirement that "travel with peace of mind" when going to a restaurant should be eaten. Mr. Chow pointed out that the proportion of customers who chose handwritten registration information was low, with only 2 to 3 people per 100 people. He believes that the customers who patronize the store are all guests, and praise the elderly for being "eye-catching", and they also know how to use "travel with peace of mind", "in-laws like to use the scan code."
The Snake King Association opened in 1965 and later moved from Nanchang Street to its current location in 1975. Mr. Zhou revealed that since the death of his father, it is now managed by seven brothers and sisters. Asked if the next generation would take over, he responded that "the next generation is up to him, they like to do it, if they don't like it."
Mr. Chow explained that in the past, hong Kong live snakes were imported from Wuzhou, Guangxi, but after the local supply was insufficient, they were imported from Southeast Asian countries instead. However, foreign countries continue to tighten their wildlife export policies, resulting in less and less imports of live snakes, and he is pessimistic about the prospects of snake soup: "If Southeast Asia protects wild animals and tightens exports, then everyone will not have to eat snakes." We don't know when that day will come, and we will have to eat. Live in the moment!"