HONG KONG — A chance encounter with veteran Hong Kong actor Simon Yam turned into an unforgettable dining experience for two unsuspecting fans, who received an unexpected gift after the 71-year-old star playfully snatched a piece of fish cake from their table.
The incident, which unfolded in a restaurant and parking garage in Hong Kong, was detailed by a local resident on the social media platform Threads on Friday. The fan, who initially expressed mock outrage online, described a series of serendipitous meetings with the beloved actor that culminated in a generous and humorous surprise.
According to the post, the fan and a friend first spotted Yam in a parking lot. Uncertain whether the man before them was indeed the star of classic gangster films like “Election” and “The Mission,” the pair hesitated. Yam noticed their uncertainty and gave them a thumbs-up, confirming his identity.
The second encounter occurred near an elevator lobby. The fan recalled telling Yam, “Brother Wah, I’ve been rewatching ‘Election’ these past few days.” The actor, known for his approachable demeanor, engaged in a brief conversation, mentioning he was meeting friends for dinner.
When the fan asked for a photo as they exited the elevator on the ground floor, Yam obliged, adding a playful reference to his character’s infamous scene in the film. “Taking photos is fine, no need for a helmet. For fishing, you’d need one,” he said, referencing the movie’s dramatic moment where his character kills a rival with a rock. Both fans burst into laughter.
The most memorable interaction, however, took place inside the restaurant. The fan and his friend were seated directly outside Yam’s private dining room. As the actor passed by, he reached over and casually ate a piece of fish cake from their plate.
“Even I wanted to scold him, but I let it go,” the fan wrote, using colorful Cantonese expletives to describe his amusement.
When the pair finished their meal and asked for the bill, they discovered it had already been settled — by Yam himself.
“Simon Yam, what the hell is wrong with you? Randomly paying for people’s bills! I thought you ate my fish cake, but it turns out I ate your entire meal,” the fan wrote, his mock anger underscoring the unexpected kindness.
The story quickly gained traction online, with many praising Yam for his humility and humor. A longtime fixture in Hong Kong cinema, Yam has been married to model and actress Kathy Yu since 1997, and the couple has one daughter. Despite his celebrity status, he is widely regarded as one of the most down-to-earth figures in the entertainment industry.
The incident serves as a reminder of the lasting connection between Hong Kong’s film stars and their fans — and that sometimes, a stolen fish cake can lead to a meal far more memorable than any on-screen performance.
