Latest news with #Metropol
South China Morning Post
6 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's dim sum trolleys are a tradition worth preserving
Dim sum trolleys that entice customers with tempting dishes used to be a familiar sight in Hong Kong. They are one of the city's best-known traditions. But as tastes and dining habits change, the number of restaurants using the iconic carts is dwindling. They are on the verge of becoming extinct. The closure of the Metropol restaurant in September, after 35 years, will therefore be keenly felt. The traditional eatery at Admiralty's United Centre prided itself on the warm and efficient service offered by its 'dim sum ladies'. Regular customers and long-serving members of staff will badly miss the restaurant. The closure highlights two trends. The premises have been purchased by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, joining others in the building used for classes. The city is seeking to establish itself as an international education hub. It is natural for there to be growing demand for spaces in urban areas offering convenience to students. But the closure also comes at a time when the food and beverage industry is facing severe challenges which have seen many restaurants disappear , including some serving dim sum. The problems range from the shifting demands of consumers to high rents, labour shortages and the trend of Hong Kong people visiting the mainland on their days off. There is a need for a concerted effort to help eateries survive – and for the industry to help itself. Restaurants need to adapt if they are to continue to appeal to diners. This is not easy for traditional eateries to do. Young people are seeking new experiences and a dim sum cart is, for many, not an exciting option. But there is a need to preserve the tradition. The remaining restaurants – and any brave enough to adopt this time-honoured form of service – must maintain high standards and promote their business well. The once-ubiquitous trolley restaurants are now so few in number that they are almost unique.
Time Out
10-07-2025
- Business
- Time Out
The Metropol Restaurant in Admiralty will close down in September
Hong Kong's notoriously expensive rents, paired with a faltering economy and locals preferring to head across the border to Shenzhen for cheaper leisure activities, have meant a slew of closures in our restaurants, shops, and businesses this year. Unfortunately, here's another one to add to the list: the Metropol Restaurant. Sitting on the fourth floor of United Centre, right across from exit D of Admiralty MTR station, Metropol Restaurant has fed Hong Kong's diners for 35 years since opening in 1990. It is one of the few remaining restaurants in the city that serve dim sum out of traditional trolleys. Metropol also features a semi-buffet-style group of counters in the middle of the dining room, where customers can choose their own dishes to bring back to their tables. Having to take your table's card out to get stamped for each dish is a nostalgic dining experience that's almost extinct by now, especially in today's age of ordering via QR codes. Metropol's final day of operations will be on September 27. It is currently run by catering group Heichinrou, which opened a Chinese restaurant in Yokohama, Japan, back in 1884. During the pandemic years, the company closed the 138-year-old restaurant in Japan and also filed for bankruptcy in Tokyo's court in May this year. Currently, Heichinrou also operates two other eponymous restaurants, in Diamond Hill and Kwun Tong, though it is not certain if these will also face closure. Citing unnamed sources, TVB reported earlier this week that the property occupied by Metropol Restaurant will be put up for sale. Go and visit for dim sum with a side of nostalgia before yet another beloved Chinese restaurant shutters for good!
HKFP
08-07-2025
- Business
- HKFP
Hong Kong's Metropol Restaurant to shut down in September after 35 years
Hong Kong's Metropol Restaurant – one of the few remaining Chinese restaurants in the city that serve dim sum from traditional trolleys – will cease operations in September, after 35 years of service. A Metropol staff member confirmed to HKFP over the phone on Tuesday that September 27 would be the restaurant's last day. The Chinese restaurant, opened in 1990, is located in the United Centre building, Admiralty. It can accommodate a banquet of 100 tables and has a seating capacity of over 1,200 people, according to its website. Citing unnamed sources, local broadcaster TVB reported on Tuesday morning that the restaurant would shut down and its property would be put up for sale. Metropol is run by Heichinrou, a catering group named after its first Chinese restaurant, which opened in the Japanese city of Yokohama in 1884. Hong Kong media reported in 2022 that the company closed the 138-year-old restaurant in Yokohama amidst slow business during the Covid-19 pandemic. According to a notice issued by Heichinrou in May, the company ceased all business activities in catering, shopping malls, and e-commerce in Japan and filed for bankruptcy with the court in Tokyo. 'We deeply apologise for the unexpected situation, which we could not inform you about in advance,' the notice read. 'Although our business will cease on May 20, 2025, we hope that Heichinrou, which has been loved by many since its beginning in Yokohama Chinatown, will remain a fond memory in your hearts.' Another Metropol Restaurant in Ma On Shan was also shut down, although it was unclear when. Apart from Metropol Restaurant in Admiralty, the company currently runs two other Chinese restaurants in Hong Kong – one in Diamond Hill and the other in Kwun Tong. Business closures Hong Kong's catering industry has been hit by a wave of business closures in recent months. In late June, bakery chain Taipan Bread & Cakes, which created the famous snowy mooncakes, closed all its stores after 41 years in operation, reportedly owing unpaid salaries and rent. In early June, Hong Kong catering group King Parrot informed its staff about its closure, without settling severance pay. In May, chain restaurant Ocean Empire announced the closure of all its branches, putting an end to its 33-year history.
News18
05-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
Hungarian Newspaper Faces Backlash For Using Photos Of Women Without Consent
Last Updated: Hungary's Newspaper asked readers to share photos of women taken in public places like streets and subways in skirts. A Hungarian newspaper, Metropol, is facing strong criticism after it asked readers to send photos of women's legs seen through shorts and skirts. Their message, 'The shorter, the better," left many upset because their goal ignores women's privacy. This request led to protests outside the newspaper's office soon after multiple pictures were published. People gathered to demand an apology and resignation from the entire editorial team for their offensive campaign. Reportedly, the photos were taken in public places like streets and subways, without women's consent. As per the local news portal, HVG, the pro-government newspaper shared pictures of several women with the headline, 'The shorter, the better." Below, they mentioned, 'This statement is certainly true for fashion, if not for life span. But in the case of skirts and dresses worn by girls, it is certainly true with the beginning of summer." Close to 50 to 60 young people gathered outside the Metropol publisher's offices, Mediaworks, to protest against their campaign. They were angry and held signs with strong messages, saying that women should not be treated as objects and that taking photos without permission is not real journalism. Many shouted slogans to share their frustration and made it clear that they 'are not here to please you." Protestors even created a Facebook page to organise the protest. On that page, one young woman shared her experience of finding her photo in the newspaper without her knowledge. She wrote, 'Today I went to attend a graduation exam and I would not have thought that when I came out, I had entered the Metropol newspaper, without my consent, a photo I had taken of me was secretly used. I find it upsetting that some people are happy to be humiliated and ridiculed by young women, and in addition, this is supported by one of the most popular government party newspapers in the country, and even encourages its readers to illegally take photos of foreign people on the streets." 'I don't think it's up to anyone else what kind of clothes I wear, what clothes I feel complete and happy. I can understand if someone doesn't like my style, everyone has different tastes but no one has the right to share their opinion about it on any public media platforms," the woman added. Metropol has a history of publishing upsetting content. Earlier, they targeted homeless people by printing a 'beggar map.' Because of this, the National Media and Communications Authority's Media Council fined them in July 2021. The issue later went to court, where Mediaworks, the company behind the newspaper, argued that their content wasn't against the law. But the court disagreed. In the end, the media group lost the case and had to pay a fine.
NDTV
05-06-2025
- NDTV
Hungarian Newspaper Publishes Pics Of Women In Short Skirts Without Consent, Faces Backlash
A Hungarian newspaper, Metropol, has faced backlash for publishing a photo spread featuring women in short skirts without their consent. The images, taken in public spaces such as subways and streets, were part of the paper's "Take a photo and send it in!" column, which has previously been criticised for exploiting vulnerable groups, Hungarian news website Telex reported. The publication's ties to Hungary's ruling government have added to the controversy, sparking widespread protests from women's rights advocates and the Hungarian public. The photo spread, titled "The shorter, the better," featured images of women in short skirts taken without their knowledge or consent. The article below the headline read, "This statement is certainly true for fashion, if not for life-span. But in the case of skirts and dresses worn by girls, it is certainly true with the beginning of summer." The situation worsened when the feature invited readers to submit similar photos, further fueling the controversy over the newspaper's objectification of women. Women's rights activists and social media users condemned Metropol's feature, calling it invasive and objectifying. A protest was held outside the publisher's offices, where around 50-60 demonstrators chanted slogans like "Harassment is not journalism" and "My body is not an object," demanding a public apology from the newspaper. The PATENT Association, a civil rights organisation, strongly condemned the article, calling it "blatant objectification and vile sexism." They argued that it perpetuates a dangerous message, implying women are never safe in public, even during the day. "Men who take photos up women's skirts don't even need to hide anymore. They can proudly send their 'prey' to a widely distributed newspaper, which publishes the images with disgusting commentary across two pages," the group wrote. One of the affected girls shared her distressing experience, revealing she had no idea her photo was taken or published. "It's humiliating that some people find joy in mocking young women and that a major, government-aligned newspaper not only supports but encourages this," she wrote. She added, "I don't think it's anyone else's business what I wear or what clothes make me feel complete and happy. I can understand if someone doesn't like my style; everyone has different tastes, but no one has the right to share their personal opinion about it on public media platforms." Reacting to the photos, one person on Reddit wrote, "So is the purpose to titillate the paper's (presumably straight male) readers, or to shame women wearing short skirts? Both." Another said, "I think this is the most Disgusting thing I will see today. Or this week." In response, the PATENT Association is providing free legal support to individuals featured in the publication without their consent and is encouraging others to come forward.
