Hong Kong has introduced its first AI restaurant robot that operates 24 hours a day, serving freshly prepared hot meals. The “HEYFOOD Intelligent Dining Robot,” located in Tai Po’s Hang Wai Shopping Mall, can prepare and serve a variety of over 30 hot dishes, with meal delivery in as little as three minutes. This robot has received Hong Kong’s first “all-time temperature-controlled” food business license, marking a significant advancement in the local smart dining sector.
According to reports, the robot was developed through a collaboration between China Resources Enterprise and the mainland AI kitchen company, Xixiang Technology. It integrates over 90 patented smart dining technologies, automating the entire process from order placement, ingredient retrieval by robotic arms, steaming, and packaging, all without human intervention. The complete process can be accomplished in approximately three minutes, greatly enhancing service efficiency.
The robot currently offers more than 30 rotating dishes, including noodles, wontons, and various snacks, with prices ranging from approximately HKD 20 to HKD 40. It supports multiple electronic payment methods, including WeChat Pay and Alipay. To encourage residents to try it out, the operating company has also introduced an opening promotion, offering a 20% discount on all food items during the first month.
In terms of food safety, all ingredients are sourced, stored, and operated under processes approved by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, adhering to Hong Kong’s food safety and hygiene standards. The system employs patented steam heating technology, which quickly warms the food while retaining moisture and texture. The operators highlight that the robot can function around the clock, providing convenience for night shift workers, busy professionals, and residents in communities with limited late-night dining options.
Zhang Linjun, Deputy General Manager of China Resources Investment, stated that the smart dining robot goes beyond the limitations of traditional vending machines, which typically only offer cold or simply heated food. It ensures that each meal is prepared freshly within minutes. The 24-hour service model fills a gap in the market, especially during late hours, in remote communities, or in high-traffic areas.
He emphasized that this project successfully combines mainland smart dining technology with the needs of the Hong Kong market, representing an important practice of the company’s “one-stop overseas platform.” The company plans to gradually expand the deployment of smart dining equipment in Hong Kong to establish a scaled network and use the city as a platform to promote relevant technology to the Asia-Pacific and overseas markets.
The Director of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Ng Weng Kit, expressed hopes that the restaurant industry will incorporate more technological applications in the future to enhance service quality and operational efficiency. Huang Simin, Head of Tourism and Hospitality at the Hong Kong Investment Promotion Agency, noted that the project took only a year from concept to operation, marking an important attempt in the smart dining field in Hong Kong. She believes that as technology continues to evolve, more innovative dining models will emerge in the city.
The AI restaurant robot offers over 30 dishes including noodles, with meals ready in as little as three minutes.
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