Chua Lam's influence on food criticism and Chinese cuisine will be remembered as he passes away at the age of 83 in Hong Kong.
Chua Lam, Celebrated Food Critic, Passes Away at 83
Chua Lam, Celebrated Food Critic, Passes Away at 83
The cultural icon of Chinese gastronomy and media leaves behind a legacy of culinary exploration.
Renowned food critic Chua Lam has passed away at the age of 83, as confirmed by a post on his official social media account. The Singaporean-born cultural icon, who made a name for himself in Hong Kong, died at the Hong Kong Sanatorium Hospital, surrounded by family and friends. His Weibo account stated that there would be no ceremony in accordance with his wishes, and his body has been cremated; however, the cause of his death has not been disclosed.
Chua Lam gained prominence as one of Hong Kong's "four greatest talents," alongside other luminaries such as Cantopop lyricist James Wong Jim and celebrated novelists Jin Yong and Ni Kuang. Known for his prolific writing and popular hosting of food and travel shows, Chua was the last surviving member of this esteemed group, having settled in Hong Kong during the 1960s.
Initially working as a film producer, where he traveled the globe to scout locations—often for action films featuring Jackie Chan—Lam stumbled upon food writing after contributing to a local newspaper. “I wrote about food and restaurants, and eventually people saw me as a food critic,” he noted in a past interview. His authoritative voice on Chinese cuisine became a staple of culinary discussions throughout the 1990s and 2000s. In 2012, he was featured as a consultant for the acclaimed documentary series A Bite of China, showcasing various culinary delights across the nation.
Following a fall that resulted in a fractured pelvic bone earlier in 2023, Chua largely retreated from the public eye, exacerbated by the subsequent passing of his wife later that year. His vast contributions to food criticism and media make Chua Lam a celebrated figure in the annals of Asian culture and gastronomy.
Chua Lam gained prominence as one of Hong Kong's "four greatest talents," alongside other luminaries such as Cantopop lyricist James Wong Jim and celebrated novelists Jin Yong and Ni Kuang. Known for his prolific writing and popular hosting of food and travel shows, Chua was the last surviving member of this esteemed group, having settled in Hong Kong during the 1960s.
Initially working as a film producer, where he traveled the globe to scout locations—often for action films featuring Jackie Chan—Lam stumbled upon food writing after contributing to a local newspaper. “I wrote about food and restaurants, and eventually people saw me as a food critic,” he noted in a past interview. His authoritative voice on Chinese cuisine became a staple of culinary discussions throughout the 1990s and 2000s. In 2012, he was featured as a consultant for the acclaimed documentary series A Bite of China, showcasing various culinary delights across the nation.
Following a fall that resulted in a fractured pelvic bone earlier in 2023, Chua largely retreated from the public eye, exacerbated by the subsequent passing of his wife later that year. His vast contributions to food criticism and media make Chua Lam a celebrated figure in the annals of Asian culture and gastronomy.
