From nostalgic street signs to Chinglish memes and cinematic snapshots of daily life, these 10 Instagram accounts capture the humour, history and heart of Hong Kong, offering a window into the city’s layered identity – where tradition meets chaos, and culture is always on the move. Yanki Chu, Sona Fong, Meredith Ho, Germaine Lau and Chloe Wong reports

What exactly is Hong Kong culture? It’s a question without a simple answer – constantly evolving, blurred with broader Chinese identity, yet undeniably its own. It lives in our language, where Cantonese, English and Mandarin flow together mid-sentence. It’s in the crackle of a pineapple bun fresh from the oven, the clink of iced milk tea in a cha chaan teng, the way our aunties serve up side-eyes sharper than their kitchen knives. Hong Kong is a place where East and West collide, not always neatly, but with style, speed and a touch of sass.

Culture here is layered: it’s the scent of incense outside a temple and the synthetic neon glow of a 7-Eleven sign, the comforting screech of the ding ding and the chaos of wet markets packed shoulder to shoulder. We preserve old-school slang, film references and TVB catchphrases like sacred relics, while remixing them into memes, hashtags and reels. It’s a city that moves fast but holds tight to its flavour.

Below are 10 Instagram accounts that capture these quirks and contradictions with humour, love and a deep sense of place. From decoding the poetry of Chinglish to archiving our ever-changing streets, each account tells a story that feels familiar to anyone who’s grown up here – or fallen in love with the city’s rhythms. Through signage, memes, food and flashbacks, they celebrate Hong Kong culture in all its hyperlocal, fiercely proud and wildly lovable glory.

@bettyshanghai

Hong Kong’s dynamic food, lifestyle and culture scene is showcased in Betty Richardson’s channel, known for its stunning visuals and engaging content. Not shying away from hidden local eateries and bustling markets, Richardson might feature a mouthwatering spread of xiaolongbao from a decades-old hole-in-the-wall spot, followed by drinks at a sleek rooftop bar with panoramic city views. With a mix of high-quality photography, helpful recommendations and a passion for the city’s ever-evolving vibe, @bettyshanghai is a must-follow for foodies, travellers and locals alike.

@hkmehmeh

There’s nothing like comedy to bring Hongkongers together. Enter @hkmehmeh and its hilarious blend of humour, memes and everyday observations. A standout post might play on common struggles, like the frustration of slow Internet buffering or the awkwardness of replying to a message with “you too” by mistake. Resonating with the everyday Hongkonger, it even has relatable workplace humour – like pretending to work when the boss walks by. Whether it’s poking fun at gym fails, dating mishaps or the struggles of adulting, creator Nancy Lim keeps followers entertained while offering a lighthearted take on daily life.

@hongkongshifts

One of the world’s most fast-paced cities, Hong Kong is well known for its 打工仔 (workers) culture and @hongkongshifts reveals the heartwarming and inspiring stories behind the unsung shift workers carrying out integral roles in our community. From bamboo scaffolders to the “the gas delivery guy”, each post offers an authentic and appreciative view of these workers’ roles. More than exploring “shifts” in Hong Kong, these stories shift our perspective when it comes to our city and the people around us.

@majorcantotraits

This account plays with Cantonese wordplay and the uniquely Hong Kong blend of Chinglish, where tone, rhythm and meaning collide when spoken. Phrases like okay la and okay lor might sound similar, but they carry entirely different moods, and to outsiders, the whole thing can sound like an alien language. But for locals, it’s a rich, expressive shorthand that adds personality and humour to everyday speech. @majorcantotraits taps into this with witty captions, while also spotlighting some funny street moments, from bold fashion choices to amusing conflicts that reflect the city’s vibrant character.

@oldhkincolour

Run by a passionate team of local historians and digital artists, this account breathes life into black-and-white images from the city’s past—whether it’s street hawkers in the 1950s, wedding portraits from the 1930s or iconic moments from colonial history. The captions often include historical context and fun facts, helping followers learn about Hong Kong’s rich past in an accessible, visual way. The contrast between old settings and modern colourisation creates a nostalgic yet fresh experience, making the city’s history feel immediate and personal.

@oldhkphoto

Since 2012, as its name suggests, @oldhkphoto has shared photographs of Old Hong Kong. Each post includes the history and stories of the photographers behind the lens. From ancient photos and maps, the page leads us to unfold the unwritten memories of Hongkongers. Even if our grandparents hadn’t been born when some of the shots were taken, we can still recognise the images. Scrolling through, one can see the shifts Hong Kong has undergone over the years and discover that moments may be fleeting but the city’s legacy never dies.

@outcastsfromthe853

Joana and Paji are mixed-raced and lived in Macau before moving to America. They create fun videos to teach people Cantonese in entertaining ways, making it easier for followers to understand and pronounce. Highlighting the use of numbers in Cantonese, for example, they have a reel explaining the uses of four in Cantonese conversation. You can also find funny Cantonese phrases on their feed.

@streetsignhk

What screams “Hong Kong” more than our signature signboard-streetscape? In an age of dimmer and dimmer neon lights in the city, two enthusiastic architects – Kevin Mac and Ken Fung – have found a way to celebrate these fading works of art. From curating signage exhibitions to giving advice to shop owners, the duo have been using their professional knowledge and local perspective to preserve some of Hongkongers’ most precious memories. As a conversation platform, @streetsignhk strives to break the street sign’s stereotype as a commercial feature and unravel the beauty behind the Hong Kong cultural icon.

@victorchenart

Victor Chen has amassed his following by creatively blending humorous Cantonese phrases with current trends. Take the Popmart character, Labubu, who has gained worldwide popularity. Chen reimagines Labubu to resemble himself, using names inspired by Cantonese phrases like La Gwei Lo and La Diu Diu. His posts also playfully poke fun at the Hong Kong way of speaking and feature unique Cantonese slang. As Hongkongers know, even similar-sounding foul language can have different meanings and, in some cases, be quite funny.

@withyuee

Entering a 100-year-old chop alley, having afternoon tea in a cha chaan teng, enjoying the summer breeze on Shek O Beach – these are the moments that make everyday life in Hong Kong so exciting. Known for his cinematic filming and editing style, Andrew Yue is a filmmaker who uses short films to capture daily moments that we Hongkongers tend to miss. Through his lens, every corner of the city looks like it came straight out of a movie.

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