On June 25, Chua Lam, Hong Kong writer, food critic and film producer, passed away at the age of 83. A cultural icon in the Chinese-speaking world, Chua’s legacy is not only remembered through his work but also his signature carpe-diem attitude toward life.
Born in Singapore in 1941, Chua studied in Japan before settling in Hong Kong in the 1960s. A true renaissance man, he was a film director and producer, columnist, author, calligrapher, painter and a passionate connoisseur of food. His influence on Hong Kong’s cultural landscape was immense, earning him the distinction of being one of the “Four Greatest Talents of Hong Kong” alongside novelist Jin Yong (Louis Cha Leung-yung), science fiction writer Ni Kuang, and lyricist James Wong Jim. Chua was the last surviving member of the group.
Over a career spanning more than three decades, Chua authored over 200 books, many of which focused on cuisine, culinary culture and restaurant reviews. He was also a familiar face on food-related television shows, appearing as a host and consultant. In 2018, he co-founded the restaurant brand “Chua Lam’s Dim Sum,” which now has over 100 locations across China.
In a similar vein to food personality Anthony Bourdain, Chua was known for his embrace of a “live life to the fullest” mindset, savoring the present and finding joy in life’s simple pleasures. Admirers praised his laid-back, pleasure-filled lifestyle. However, some critics viewed him as hedonistic, arguing that his outlook was shaped by a level of fame and wealth that most people could not realistically achieve.
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