HKU High Table Dinner Under Fire? HK$500 Halal Meal Turns Out to Be Fast-Food Takeaway; Student Says It Was Worth at Most About HK$80

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A high table dinner was held at HKU's Starr Hall a few days ago. A non-local student who attended posted online, saying that they had paid HK$500 in advance and requested halal food, but only received a takeaway burger set, which fell short of the expected dinner meal. The student considered the arrangement inappropriate, sparking online discussion. The University of Hong Kong replied that the hall student association had additionally purchased "halal-friendly food" from outside that evening, and that hall tutors had since guided them to improve catering arrangements and communication details.

🍔 Non-Local Student Requested Halal Meal in Advance, Received Fast-Food Takeaway
The netizen shared their experience in English with photos on the social platform Threads, revealing that they had paid HK$500 to attend the hall's High Table Dinner and had requested halal food through the office in advance. The poster described the halal meal received that evening as merely "KFC takeaway, containing only one piece of chicken, one burger, fries and a Coke, worth at most about HK$80," and felt "very disappointed." From the photos uploaded by the poster, the attendees that day were all wearing the green gowns commonly seen at high table dinners, dining at a Chinese restaurant. Two Chinese dishes were placed on the round table, and among the attendees seated around the round table, at least three were holding the fast-food takeaway described by the poster. Song lyrics of the hall song were also on the table, and based on the content, the hall involved should be Starr Hall.

📋 The poster frankly said, "I understand that providing halal food may require extra arrangements," but after considering the HK$500 fee, had expected to receive more suitable and presentable food. The poster believed that the halal meal "should at least be commensurate with what other attendees received in terms of quality and presentation, rather than simply fast food."

💬 Netizens Divided; Some Say Original Fast Food "Looks Terrible"
After the incident came to light, it quickly sparked heated discussion online, with netizens taking polarised views. Some pointed out that the kitchens of ordinary Chinese restaurants find it difficult to provide halal food, but the poster should have been notified in advance so they could choose whether to attend the event. Some netizens also believed that although the fast food given to the poster was halal, "but bringing it up like that at a high table dinner for someone to eat really looks terrible. Too big a contrast with the food served next to them," and "why not buy some more proper halal food takeaway?" However, some netizens supported the organisers, saying, "I'm very sure it's hard to find halal food, and the organisers are not obliged to meet the poster's request," with some comments even carrying hints of religious discrimination.

🏛️ HKU: Catering and Venue Arrangements Must Be Considered More Thoroughly
HKU replied that the university's Centre of Development and Resources for Students had sought understanding from the relevant hall student association. That evening's high table dinner had provided a vegetarian meal for students requesting a halal menu, and had additionally purchased "halal-friendly food" from outside as a supplement. Regarding the misunderstanding caused by the post, the hall tutor team had contacted and guided the hall student association to consider catering and venue arrangements and communication details more thoroughly when organising future events, to avoid misunderstandings.

🎓 High Table Dinner Is a Traditional HKU Event
The high table dinner originated from top European institutions such as the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, and is a traditional event at HKU. It is held by various faculties, halls and the students' union, and participating students must attend in formal dress, green gowns or black gowns. It is understood that high table dinners are not limited to Western cuisine and have often been held in Chinese restaurants in the past. Organisers generally invite distinguished individuals to attend the dinner and interact with students.