This is just one of the alleyways which entrench the ximen pedestrian zone. Food stalls are harder to remain in business as food chains take over and buildings are gradually modernised.
More often than not, the food stalls will be mobile and mostly illegal. They show up at night unannounced, and leave at first whim of police. Most of the time, the police don't do anything. The island has a long planted history of food concessions and it is deeply ingrained to the society.