Difficulty: Challenger (Level 2)
Carbi the rice ball is a soft toy that is becoming very well known in Hong Kong. His round, huggable body and mischievous expressions have made him very popular.
Carbi was created by a 26-year-old illustrator named Carina Wong. She said the toy’s name was a playful nod to the word “carbohydrates”.
“Rice is a staple across Asia and my personal favourite food,” the Hongkonger explained.
Each Carbi plush tells its own little story through its unique expressions. Wong said her top three favourites are the “sleepy Carbi”, the “smiling Carbi”, and the “slightly frustrated Carbi”.
Wong created the character in 2020. She also has a full-time job as a graphic designer. Wong was inspired to create Carbi by the two loves of her life: rice and her nine-year-old Pomeranian, Muffin.
“The idea behind Carbi actually came from how much happiness Muffin brings me and my family,” she said. “These cherished memories we create together are the foundation of Carbi’s being.”
Cuddles beat nightmares
The character was very popular at the Pop Toy Show in Singapore. It is a major annual event in Southeast Asia for pop culture toys, collectibles and merchandise.
Wong recounted how a young girl approached her at the event last August with her own Carbi plushie. The girl said it helped her feel safe at night and protected her from nightmares.
“I was touched ... I used to be this girl who found comfort in my soft toy when I was scared,” she said.
Wong said young people in Hong Kong face a lot of pressure. In such times, characters like Carbi can provide a unique form of support. They can act as a silent friend when they need to process their feelings privately.
Carbi the confidence booster
Carbi has also helped Wong open up.
“A lot of people only know me as the rice ball girl. They did not know how I looked until very recently. I used to do only faceless [Instagram] reels as I am actually quite shy,” she said.
Thanks to Carbi fans, she is getting more comfortable being on camera.
“The encouragement and support from the Carbi community gave me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone,” she said.
The illustrator is preparing for another toy show in August. She also has new ideas for expanding the Carbi universe, which currently includes Carbina, Carbi’s girlfriend.
“I hope that by sharing my own journey, it encourages others to also take chances,” she said.
