The unique craft of making noodles is about to be lost in Hong Kong

According to Fei Wong, the third generation owner of Wong Chi Kei, there are currently only about 10 people who can make jook-sing noodles (bamboo noodles) in Hong Kong.

Initially, the restaurant opened in Macau in 1946, later becoming one of the most famous places for traditional Hong Kong noodles.

The unique craft of making noodles is about to be lost in Hong Kong

Video: CNN Travel.

Jook-sing is noodles rolled from bamboo poles, made from flour, eggs and filtered water, originating from Guangzhou, southern China.

Nowadays, most noodles in Hong Kong markets are made by machine and skip the step of rolling the dough with bamboo poles.

Bamboo is highly appreciated for its durability and flexibility, so it becomes the perfect tool as it creates great force to make kneading and rolling dough easier.

The biggest challenge in preserving traditional crafts is the lack of talented people.

`My uncle, a road engineer, is looking for a job related to the machinery that makes jook-sing noodles. We want to be able to create a formula so that the machine can do the same thing as rolling and kneading dough to make noodles.

However, there are still things that machines cannot replace.

`The more you practice, the more you will know how to recognize how to make better noodles depending on both humidity and climate. No one can teach you this, you have to cultivate and learn for yourself.

You lose less energy if you are heavier.

Once the dough is kneaded, it will be put through a machine to roll it thinner and cut it into super small noodles.

Wong, who continues to run the family business, often looks for ways to innovate while still preserving the family business.

Wong Chi Kei has had three generations in this profession, which is very meaningful to Wong.

Wong shares, `The challenge of growing a business also comes with preserving the craft through generations, but once we were able to build the craft, we created a valuable legacy in the industry.`

Visitors to Hong Kong can go to the Way On building, located at 500 Jaffe Street, Causeway Bay to see how jook-sing noodles are made using bamboo poles in the traditional way and enjoy the noodles as well as buy them as gifts.