Hong Kong Fair Vendors Earn Big with Nostalgic Street Food Toys

A vendor at Hong Kong's biggest Lunar New Year fair pulled in more than $12,000 a day selling plushie versions of curry fishballs and other beloved street foods. The scene at Victoria Park showed something special: people lining up to celebrate their city's unique culture through adorable, locally designed merchandise.

The Lo Hey stall became the fair's hottest spot, with staff playfully pretending to grill and sauce the plushies just like real street vendors do. Owner Choi, a 45-year-old former hotpot restaurant operator, watched his creations become instant hits. By midweek, popular items like BBQ squid and siumai plushies had completely sold out.

Employee Emily Tse, 21, said customers loved that everything was designed in Hong Kong. "This is not Taobao or Pinduoduo," she explained, referencing mainland Chinese shopping sites that typically dominate the market.

Friends Valarie Wu, 23, and Enya Lam, 25, designed their own lineup of treats including keychains shaped like Cantonese fried dumplings and cartoon Lunar New Year blessings. Their best day brought in about $5,100, with customers of all ages buying their creations.

"People love them because it really brings out the childhood memories of Hong Kong people," Wu said. The pair staffed their booth with friends, watching generations connect over symbols of home.

Nearby, university students sold novelty minibus signs reading "none of my business" and "My GPA is zero" alongside tote bags featuring horses for the lunar year. For 19-year-old Veronica Lam, participating felt like joining something bigger than commerce.

"This kind of activity is a Hong Kong tradition, so we wanted to join in and have some fun," she said. The students also welcomed tourists, eager to share their city's customs with visitors.

The Ripple Effect

The fair's success extended beyond individual vendors. Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan reported that all 14 fairs across Hong Kong attracted more than 190 million visitors over five days, up 20 percent from last year. The 1,500 total stalls selling flowers, decorations, and snacks created a citywide celebration of local identity.

Even charity work thrived in this atmosphere of community pride. Students with Dream Compassioneers raised about $13,000 selling postcards drawn by Cambodian children and playing cards featuring Hong Kong slang. Volunteer Chloe Wong, 20, planned to keep the booth open overnight to maximize donations.

"Hongkongers are quite supportive of this project," she said, noting the meaningful connection between cultural celebration and helping others.

The fusion of commerce, culture, and community spirit transformed ordinary shopping into something meaningful: a city celebrating itself through the small details that make it unique, one plushie fishball at a time.