Grab your chopsticks and a front-row seat, because Hong Kong’s ultimate heartthrob-turned-foodie is cooking up a storm! Nicholas Tse, the actor-singer-chef who’s been melting hearts since the ‘90s, was spotted today sizzling through Central’s bustling markets, cameras in tow, for his hotly anticipated new cooking series. The yet-to-be-titled show promises to blend Tse’s megawatt charm with the city’s culinary soul, and darling, it’s already serving up a feast of buzz!
Paparazzi lenses caught the 44-year-old star in action this morning, looking every bit the dashing chef in a sleek black apron, chopping veggies with the finesse of a kung fu master. From the wet markets of Sheung Wan to the trendy stalls of PMQ, Tse was all smiles as he bantered with vendors, sniffed out the freshest catches, and whipped up dishes that had onlookers drooling. “He’s like a rockstar with a wok,” gushed one bystander, snapping a pic that’s since gone viral. “I’d eat anything he cooks!” Within hours, #NicholasTseCooks was trending, with fans drooling over blurry clips of him tossing noodles in a cloud of steam.
The buzz is piping hot: this new gig, set to air on ViuTV later this year, is Tse’s biggest culinary swing yet. Sources dish that the series will fuse his showbiz swagger with Hong Kong’s street-food grit, spotlighting hawkers, hidden gems, and a few luxe twists from Tse’s own playbook. “It’s not just cooking – it’s storytelling,” a production insider teased. “Nick’s diving into the flavors that make Hong Kong tick, from dai pai dong classics to fusion experiments.” One rumored episode? A late-night congee cook-off with a mystery celeb guest – and bets are on it being his old buddy Edison Chen!
Tse, who’s juggled blockbuster flicks and chart-topping hits, has been sharpening his chef’s knife in recent years. His 2020 stint on Chef Nic won him foodie cred, but this new venture feels like a glow-up – less studio polish, more raw city vibes. Today’s shoot saw him haggling over fish with a vendor (in flawless Cantonese, naturally) before stir-frying it streetside, a crowd of fans and curious aunties cheering him on. “Hong Kong’s food is its heartbeat,” he grinned to a mic, sauce splattered on his sleeve. “I want the world to taste it.”
The Central shoot was a full-on spectacle – think drones buzzing overhead, a glam crew dodging market carts, and Tse flashing that million-dollar smile between takes. Fans swarmed for selfies, one even thrusting a pineapple bun his way for an autograph. “He’s hotter than the chili oil!” squealed a teen on TikTok, her vid racking up 50K likes by noon. Another clip of him plating a mystery dish – rumored to be a truffle-laced char siu bao – has food bloggers speculating about a Michelin-worthy twist.
ViuTV’s banking on Tse to spice up their lineup, and the stakes are sky-high. With streaming giants eating into local TV’s turf, this show’s a bet on star power and homegrown flavor to win back eyeballs. Production’s set to crisscross the city through spring, with pit stops planned in Mong Kok, Sham Shui Po, and maybe even a fishing village cameo. “Nick’s the secret sauce,” our insider winked. “He’s got the looks, the chops, and a palate that screams Hong Kong.”
For now, Tse’s keeping the menu under wraps, but today’s taste test has left the city hungry for more. “Stay tuned,” he teased, wiping sweat off his brow as the cameras cut. “We’re just heating up!” So, sharpen your appetite, Hong Kong – Nicholas Tse is back in the kitchen, and he’s serving up a show that’s equal parts spice, style, and star power. Who needs a Michelin star when you’ve got a Tse star?
