”Chungking Mansions is part of Hong Kong. To me, it feels like home.”
“This is my dream to come to Hong Kong.” For Romio, that dream became a reality at 24.
His first impression of the city dates back to a family trip when he was just 13. He found the city safe and the people friendly. Years later, his father—who has lived in Hong Kong for 55 years—suggested Romio join him. His father described it simply as a “good place.” With an open mind and a sense of adventure, Romio left his birthplace in Pakistan to start anew. He found himself enjoying life here more with each passing day. Three years later, he is more than just a resident; he is a chef who has truly found his stride. “Now I am happy,” Romio says, his face lighting up with a wide smile.
In those three years, Romio has explored countless corners of the city, from the tourist heights of The Peak and the thrills of Ocean Park to the quiet shores of Mui Wo. He laughs, noting that while Mui Wo is a place to relax, if you love a bustling crowd, Mong Kok is the undisputed choice. Yet, when it comes to his favourite spot, Chungking Mansions is his absolute favourite.
“Chungking Mansions is what draws me in the most. It has people and travellers from all over the world, of every nationality. It’s amazing!” Romio says. “Maybe in the past, some may have been hesitant to enter, but that’s changed. Honestly, Chungking Mansions is part of Hong Kong. To me, it feels like home.” Compared to other places, Romio sees Hong Kong as a friendly, inclusive, and diverse society. He points to the Pakistani community as proof—families who moved here, put down roots, and raised second-generation children who are fully local, fluent in both Cantonese and English. He feels that people here respect each other’s cultures regardless of race. “Just like going to a restaurant, your nationality is never a consideration. You can go anywhere you want, anytime, and no one cares. This is one of the reasons I love Hong Kong—I like it so much,” he says.
Driven by this love for the city, Romio has been teaching himself Cantonese through friends and TV. Though the fast pace of the language makes it difficult to catch every word, his passion remains strong: “I love learning Cantonese; I hope to integrate better into Hong Kong life.” He doesn’t worry about cultural differences, believing in a simple philosophy: “If you are good to people, they will be good to you.” As a Muslim, he believes in Sawab—the spiritual merit gained by doing good deeds and respecting everyone. It’s a lesson his father drilled into him: “My father reminded me to work hard, and ‘Don’t go the wrong way.’ You have to be a good person. If you just focus on being yourself, no one can lead you astray. When I have children, I will tell them the exact same thing.” Romio’s father moved here from Pakistan back in 1969, when Tsim Sha Tsui consisted of only a few buildings. Having witnessed the city’s entire evolution over half a century, he has no desire to leave and considers Hong Kong his true home. “If I pass away, I must be buried in Hong Kong. ‘Don’t take me back to Pakistan,’ my father told me,” Romio recalls.
Starting over in a new place always takes time. Romio remembers feeling nervous on his first day at Chungking Mansions, but he chose to trust his culinary skills and let his work speak for itself, eventually winning the respect of his colleagues. While things are on the right track, he admits he gets homesick sometimes. He laughs and jokes, “Hong Kong WiFi is so fast, we have 5G.” He uses WhatsApp video calls to stay in touch and returns to Pakistan once a year to visit family.
“In Hong Kong, as long as you work hard, you can make money.” Like so many others in this city, Romio’s goals are clear: work hard, save up, buy a home, and perhaps one day start a family business. He isn’t just living here; he’s building a home.
Interviewed by Carly Chan
Cover Image: Decem
