It all depends, some have ovens, some don't. I love to cook, and back in the UK when I was unemployed I took up a lot of cooking. I've been able to manage pretty well in our tiny kitchen here (gas stove 4 burners, about a foot of counter space next to the sink, and only inaccessible cabinets). It actually doesn't matter how big your kitchen is, when there's a desire to make delicious food, then you will! I think I was appalled at the idea of no built in oven, but we got a good Tefal countertop oven. Then I was appalled at the idea of giving up my only counter space to keep it accessible (other option was to store it in the closet and only take it out as needed). But in the end, I can make do with my one foot of counter space, and I feel I can make anything I want in the little oven (even managed a whole turkey this Christmas). There's some things I don't bother to make anymore (like home made pizzas), but then I've discovered other great things I can make (like pots of beans or lentils). Some of my bakeware doesn't fit, but you can buy smaller versions here in HK (had to get a muffin tin that didn't have superfluous handles!).
So don't worry about the kitchen you end up with! It's far more important to find the location and right layout for yourself. Just think of the great food being made all around the world in each country without massive Western kitchens!
By the way, on average HK people aren't very tall, but I've seen plenty of kitchens with only one or two very high up cabinets and some wasted wall space. I guess they don't consider it any priority to install cabinets or build up functional kitchens? Has anyone else noticed this? I remember turning away from one apartment just for this reason of wasted space! It was mind boggling!!