{
  "id": 5702164,
  "title": "After 66 years, Kau Kee’s first shop offers fish balls ‘every Hongkonger has eaten’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/after-66-years-kau-kees-first-shop-offers-fish-balls-every-hongkonger-5702164",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-05T03:00:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3366433/after-66-years-kau-kees-first-shop-offers-fish-balls-every-hongkonger-has-eaten"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "For 66 years, Kau Kee Food Factory quietly supplied its iconic fish balls to over 900 eateries and snack stalls throughout Hong Kong, often unnoticed by the general public. However, a change is underway as the second-generation owner Anita Lee Yan-kwan has inaugurated the company's first retail store in Mong Kok, a bustling district in the city. Prior to this, few on the street would have recognized Kau Kee, even though the factory's products were likely consumed by virtually every Hongkonger. The 30-year-old businesswoman took on the responsibility of the family enterprise during the Covid-19 pandemic, when street food sales plummeted due to mask mandates and social distancing measures. As a result, Kau Kee faced a significant decline in orders, as people consumed fewer snacks while at home. Lee recognized the dire situation and launched an online store in 2023, selling the fish balls directly to consumers. This bold move required Lee to transition from her background in factory manufacturing to running a retail business, which proved to be a daunting challenge. To stay competitive, Lee has opted to eliminate mark-ups and reselling fees, offering the fish balls at a cost-effective price of HK$10 for a pack of 10, roughly half the current market average. This strategy allows Kau Kee to provide a better value for customers, as the factory can maintain the quality of its ingredients without the added cost of middlemen. Unlike mass-produced supermarket fish balls, Kau Kee's product is specially crafted for the street food environment, featuring a higher proportion of fish meat that ensures a chewy texture and prevents sogginess even after prolonged immersion in curry sauce. A secret ingredient behind the shop's success is tuna, which adds a rich, fragrant oiliness to the fish balls. To entice a new generation of customers and tourists, Lee has incorporated \"Instagrammable\" elements such as a 3D-printed oversized fish ball model, which has played a significant role in attracting visitors. Lee's modernization efforts are driven by a deep sense of cultural pride and a desire to preserve Hong Kong's culinary heritage amidst the influx of foreign snack chains. Despite the challenges, Lee remains optimistic that the first retail store is merely the beginning of a new chapter for the 66-year-old business, ensuring its legacy continues to thrive.",
  "summary": "Anita Lee Yan-kwan grew up around a traditional business that supplied fish balls to Hong Kong’s street food stalls and eateries. But for decades, Kau Kee Food Factory’s signature product was known only among industry operators until Lee, a second-generation owner, opened the company’s first retail store late last year. Kau Kee has operated as a silent giant in the food industry for 66 years,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post - Hong Kong",
        "title": "After 66 years, Kau Kee’s first shop offers fish balls ‘every Hongkonger has eaten’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/after-66-years-kau-kees-first-shop-offers-fish-balls-every-hongkonger",
        "published": "2026-09-05T03:00:15.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}