A throwaway remark in Hong Kong’s Legislative Council has sparked a food fight between neighbouring SARs, after lawmaker Adrian Pedro Ho King-hong described Macao’s cuisine as “extremely ordinary” during a session on tourism and dining promotion.

Ho, who was making the case for Hong Kong to do more to brand its own food culture as a tourist attraction, argued that Macao’s iconic street snacks – including pork chop buns, Portuguese egg tarts, beef offal and almond cookies – are all readily available in Hong Kong anyway. He did not stop there. “I dare say that Hong Kong’s pork chop buns are better than Macao’s. I’m telling you!” he was quoted as saying.

The remarks spread quickly on social media in both cities and drew sharp responses from across the border. Former Macao legislator Sulu Sou was among those who pushed back, as did other Macao representatives, questioning both the accuracy and the timing of the comments.

The controversy adds an awkward dimension, given Ho’s family ties to the city he was criticising. He is the nephew of former Macao Chief Executive Edmund Ho, while his cousin Kevin Ho currently sits in Macao’s Legislative Assembly.

Macao’s defenders were quick to point to the city’s credentials. Macao has held UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy status since 2017, recognising its unique Macanese cuisine, widely considered the world’s first fusion food, and its broader culinary heritage. 

The city also holds multiple Michelin-starred restaurants and hosts an annual international gastronomy forum attracting chefs and food leaders from around the world.