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What's Happening Events

22
Aug 2026
(Sat)

From the Dining Table: Language, Culture, and Food Idioms in Korean and Cantonese


Date & time
22Aug 2026 (Sat)11:30 - 12:30 Free
Type of Event
Hybrid (In-person & Online Attendance)
Venue
Room 311, 3/F, Admiralty Centre, 18 Harcourt Road, Admiralty, HK (access via the shopping arcade escalators through Exit A, Admiralty MTR Station)
Online Platform
Zoom
Speaker
  • Ms Kera Tong (College Assistant Lecturer, College of Humanities and Law, HKU SPACE)

Ms Kera Tong

Enquiry
3762 0820 (jolang@hkuspace.hku.hk)
Relevant Programmes
Certificate in Korean (Introductory) Certificate in Korean (Foundation) Certificate in Korean (Intermediate) Certificate in Korean (Advanced) Diploma in Korean Certificate for Module (Introduction to Korean Culture)
moreRelevant Programmes
From the Dining Table: Language, Culture, and Food Idioms in Korean and Cantonese

Eating is an inseparable part of daily life, and language often reflects and embodies the culture of a place. When describing something that is easy to do, Cantonese speakers say “easier than eating lettuce,” while Koreans say “lying down and eating rice cakes.” Among all the food ingredients out there, why were “lettuce” and “rice cakes” chosen for these expressions? In fact, this is a beautiful reflection of the unique “flavours” of the two regions’ dining cultures. 

Language: Cantonese