AJ Halkes

Hong Kong : The Global Test Kitchen for McDonald’s By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Not many people realise that Hong Kong has long been Ground Zero for some of McDonald’s latest innovations. From upscale dining to pioneering digital touch screen ordering systems, experimental salad bars and even table service; the McDonald’s outlet beneath my […]

Who Gets the Most “Gushing Praise”—And Why Is It So Rare? By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Reading about Qatar Airways receiving “the most gushing praise” got me thinking—when was the last time I felt that way about a retail or consumer experience? One place immediately came to mind: Momotaro Jeans in Tokyo. (https://momotaro-jeans.com )

HK$22.8M “only”—and you’re in the Hong Kong F&B property market, right in the heart of Central on Old Bailey Street. By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law I’m a big fan of Dr. Edwin Lee and his YouTube insights into Hong Kong’s shop, retail and real estate market. His almost real-time analysis of transactions is always

For all of us who have felt lost in an IKEA maze — there’s now another way to probably feel the same in Hong Kong By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law For all of us who have felt lost in an IKEA maze, there’s now another way to probably feel the same in Hong Kong,

Chicken On The Run ends a 23 year “run” in mid-levels Hong Kong – is take-away leaving us for good? By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law After a 23-year run, beloved local takeaway shop Chicken on the Run, at Princess Terrace on the mid-levels escalator, has closed. No clear explanation why, no big farewell party—and

Delivering Food & Profit: What Happened with Deliveroo, and Why Is the Landscape Changing? By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Deliveroo’s exit from Hong Kong—more of a customer and vendor transfer than a full shutdown—signals a shift in the food delivery space. The brand has essentially raised the white flag, as it has in Taiwan,

“Mister Softee” is dead—Hong Kong’s mobile ice cream king made it to 98. Let’s have more like Mr. Ho! By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Back in 1970, Mr. Ho King Yuen launched Hong Kong’s iconic mobile ice cream vans; he reportedly passed recently. His business became a beloved part of Hong Kong’s streetscape. Yet,

It was never a good idea—so why not kill it? The HK Taxi app by Uber is officially dead. By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law The headlines about Uber shutting down the HKTaxi app are long overdue. I never quite understood how Uber planned to maximize the acquisition of a taxi-related app in 2021. It

A graphic echo of the snake in my Chinese New Year bike ride – Greetings to you all! By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law I hope the Chinese New Year brings significant improvements for everyone – from reducing tension to building a more stable, vibrant, and viable home and life, wherever we are. Maybe I’m

Why should you know 17 yr old Daniel YIP Hon-man? Because he just did an amazing thing … for Hong Kong! By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Hong Kong winning and making an impression has to be applauded, and the spectacular win by our junior cycling road race champion in the Asian Cycling Championships was

Imagine if Hong Kong could capture the magic of London’s Clerkenwell back-in-the-day—could this be the start? By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Of course, we’re a bit short of quirky old semi-industrial buildings or vibrant areas bustling with reinvigoration like London has enjoyed; however, let’s see what happens at 181 Restaurant, K11 Musea as HK Fortnum &

Is Trump moving to Hong Kong for our countryside? New visa rules make it easier! By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Hold on—let’s avoid confusing Trumps. It’s been reported in the SCMP – 28th Dec 2024, that Judd Trump, the world’s #1 snooker player, might be taking up residency in Hong Kong. This aligns with a growing wave

Tsui Wah is Back in Lan Kwai Fong – Will the Historic Magic return? By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law After a five-year gap Tsui Wah in Lan Kwai Fong has reopened. Once the ultimate go-to place for post-drinks, post-clubbing, post-anything respite; Tsui Wah embodied the essence of Hong Kong’s vibrant, 24/7 food and nightlife culture. But

Joe Bananas and others rock on – so is Hong Kong nightlife really not as vibrant as “Gang Piao” claim? By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law That’s what a recent survey suggests, with some “Gang Piao” (“Hong Kong Drifters”) feeling a bit underwhelmed. But is that the case? Hong Kong’s nightlife, like many global cities,

Why Some Companies Are Bound to Fail : A Case in Point from Hong Kong Real Estate By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Walking past a real estate agent’s window in Hong Kong’s cosmopolitan Mid-Levels, I was struck by something baffling. Every listing in the display was written exclusively in Chinese characters. In one of

Is Isowork and AI Going to Trigger a Mental Health Crisis? By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Okay, let’s start with this: most of you probably don’t know what “isowork” is. That’s fair because I just made it up. There’s no dictionary definition yet. Essentially, it’s the new remote working paradigm where people are working

Is the Hong Kong Jockey Club Reinventing the Ultimate Sports Bar Experience and what’s next? By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Walking down Stanley Street in Central recently, I noticed a remarkable transformation: a Jockey Club off-course betting outlet now resembling a sports bar or local restaurant chain more than a traditional gambling venue. The revitalisation, complete with

Full steam ahead for Hong Kong’s music and entertainment scene with Clockenflap and much more! By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Despite the loss of the HITEC venue, the city is set to thrive. Clockenflap this weekend is expected to welcome 30,000 people to enjoy amazing performances, and Coldplay sold out all nights : so

“People aren’t drinking” is a lie! By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Richkat Brewing is shaking things up in Hong Kong, adding two craft beer outlets to what’s reported to be 100+ already in the Chinese mainland market! This expansionist China-based craft beer brand is making bold moves with their new shops in the city

Hong Kong is protecting “phone-watching zombies” with a modern safety initiative. By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law We’ve all seen it: people walking around glued to their phones, heads down, oblivious to anyone and anything around them. It’s basically walking down the street staring at your feet. Even I’m guilty of it sometimes. To protect

Set lunch is saving “posh” F&B in London and way beyond … can it save Hong Kong? By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law The first thing to be cut in the food business is often lunch trade. Many restaurants in Hong Kong still struggling with staffing, high fuel costs and low volumes, fall to the temptation

Hong Kong’s Blueprint for Arts & Culture: Will It Finally Deliver? By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Is the new plan for arts, culture, and the creative industries too narrow—or could it spark real growth in culture and tourism? With Rosanna Law stepping in to lead this crucial government department, there’s a glimmer of hope

Worker Safety in Hong Kong: Are We Missing Part of the Equation? By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law In Hong Kong, worker safety demands a multi-directional approach and nothing has brought this home more than recent accidents. We are all aware that companies may be held responsible for accidents and that systems or processes have

Is it worth moving to live near to a members club in Hong Kong to enjoy community and amenities without the hefty management fees of a luxury residential block? By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Reading a piece in the FT Weekend got me thinking about this idea. Many years ago, while living on Shu

You’ve got to be in it to win it—and that means more than just unlocking your front door. By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Are you thinking of opening a retail spot, especially in the food & beverage world? If you believe building it and flinging the doors open will bring the crowds, think again.

Shenzhen’s Transformation—A Glimpse Across and Along the disappearing Border! By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Just spent the past few days viewing Shenzhen from both sides, and the changes are remarkable. During a visit organized by the Australian Chamber of Commerce, I was amazed by the innovative leaps on display. From Tencent to Mindray, the

If Media Whispers are True, Insomnia Lan Kwai Fong, an Iconic HK Venue is Closing Forever By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law For over twenty years Insomnia Lan Kwai Fong has been more than just a venue; it’s been a symbol of the vibrant, sleepless energy that defines Hong Kong; the heartbeat of Lan Kwai Fong.

Why supersize where “mini” is better? It makes sense for health, well-being, and longevity—and is cheaper By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law In Hong Kong, it’s become common to ask for “less rice” with our meals, we recognise not everyone needs oversized portions or excessive calories. Larger portions may offer “value,” but they’re not always

It’s time to think about the future of these Hong Kong streets creatively By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Hong Kong’s heritage has been fading and one of the clearest signs is the disappearance of iconic small street stalls. Once bustling hubs of entrepreneurial energy, many of these micro-stalls are now shuttered, sitting in limbo,

Are you having coffee in a flower shop, or buying flowers in a coffee shop : I’m confused. By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law In food & beverage, it’s said people aren’t just buying the product; they’re buying the environment. Nothing highlights this better than Pacific Place, Hong Kong, that has just introduced : yet