Category Archives: Hong Kong

Saturday NoHo Gems on Gough (歌賦街)

A question for Hong Kong and most metropolitan cities is: do you ever sleep? Hong Kong, do you sleep? Whether it’s an American/European company following a 9-5 work schedule, or an Asian company with fluctuations of getting off at 8pm or near all nighters that you work for, this question is hard to answer. But with busy, unexpected schedules what happens is that some places can never be visited unless it’s a holiday… or a Saturday :)

SAME DAY payday loans

Open from 6 am to 4 pm, only Monday to Saturday, this is exactly what kept me from visiting Wing Hop Shing in Sheung Wan. But one Saturday, I could finally make it for lunch and try their claypot rice (beef & egg), coined the best by Craig Au Yeung – the multi-talented comic artist, designer, writer, and foodie that I got the lucky chance to meet before his trip to Shanghai with food photographer, Dixon Chan.

They have Hong Kong classics, like the Ying-yeung (鴛鴦) half coffee-half tea as well as unique drinks like the Salty Lemon Water (咸檸檬水), especially great for sore throats! (The lemons are preserved with salt for many years! Note: The acquired taste may not be for everyone.)

After a light lunch at Wing Hop Shing, it’s a must to take that 5 minute walk into NoHo District, the hip laid-back version of SoHo which includes my favorite, Gough Street – pronounced as “goff” rhyming with cough – I was corrected originally pronouncing it as “go” rhyming with dough. Interestingly enough, I came across the Gough Street in San Francisco, but that’s besides the topic.

Here are some of my favorites on Gough:

1. Bohemian Boutique
47 Gough Street, Sheung Wan
+852 2385 8899

Have you heard of Zee Avi? The style of clothes is very much like hers and coincidentally when I shopped there, her full album was playing in the background. During my hours in that boutique, I found a bracelet from Turkey, a bag from Thailand, and scarves from India. Oh and some name brand finds if you look deep enough.

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2. Ms. B’s Cakery
39 Gough Street, Central
+852 2815 8303

I love this place. Maybe a little biased as my birthday cake was bought here, but have you had a cake with beetroot? They are pretty to look at and just so delectable.

3. HOMELESS.hk – the life style store
29 Gough Street, Central
+852 2581 1880

Basement
 +852 2489 9899

A little pricey, but if I had the money – I would literally buy out this store. With witty-designed products from around the world, there is bound to be something you will want to buy or something that will get you thinking – “huh! I didn’t think about that.”

Also literally below, Homeless is Basement, a restaurant bar that has a decent weekend brunch menu and lovely interior decor. They used to make a yummy banoffee pie, but the chefs decided to take it off. Maybe if enough people ask for it, they will bring it back ;)

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Things I didn’t get the chance to try, but always next time!

1. Sing Heung Yuen
2 Mei Lun Street, Central
+852 2544 8368

I saw the queue and heard all about their tomato broth noodles/macaroni with beef. They don’t open on Sundays so looks like this is another Saturday early breakfast/lunch place to check out!

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2. Kau Kee Beef Brisket Noodles 九記牛腩
21 Gough Street
+852 2850-5967

Alright, why so much beef? Maybe for my more meat-hungry guy friends. This place has a lot of gourmet food celebrities backing it up as regulars. Worth checking out, but again closed on Sundays. So prepare your Saturdays!

3. Mak’s Noodles
77 Wellington Street
+852 2854 3810

A 5 minute walk from Gough Street, Mak’s Noodles is a staple for their wontons! Can’t wait to try it next time.

Wing Hop Shing 永和成茶餐廳
G/F, 113-115 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan
+852 2850 5723
Opening Hours: 6 am – 4 pm (closed on Sundays)
Sheung Wan MTR Station, Exit A2

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Society for Abandoned Animals – Animal Care in Hong Kong

There are pet shops all over Hong Kong.

Cuteness overload.

Cuteness overload.

Though, it is sad to realize that it has become a trade and business for many. Puppies are being sold well younger than 8 weeks (malnourished and weak) and in turn most times become sick shortly after leaving the store. Tung Choi Street in Mong Kok, sometimes coined as “Goldfish Street” with the amount of aquariums there and exotic fish, turtles, and even jelly fish for sale – for less than $5 USD, you could go home with a new friend. While it’s great for pet lovers and those with the time to care for their new friends, my main thoughts are that I just hope the low prices don’t fog buyers of the value of life.

In Hong Kong, there are multiple organizations that help promote adoption such as the Hong Kong Dog Rescue (HKDR), the Hong Kong Animal Adoption Centre (HKAAC), the Lifelong Animal Protection Charity (LAP), and even the Hong Kong Police Force where you can adopt a retired Police Dog! Animals are being euthanised within a few days’ time with the lack of manpower to care for them, so it’s a collective effort for these organizations to help find suitable homes for them. Bare in mind that adoption and the decision to own a pet is a huge commitment! Take the quiz to see if you’re ready! ;)

A particular organization that I would like to highlight is the Society for Abandoned Animals located in Yuen Long. But first, a testimonial from my 9 year old niece about her first time experience at age 7 learning about the fragility of life and meeting some new furry friends: 

“Since I was two, I had always wanted to have a pet. My mum was allergic to animal fur so I couldn’t have a dog. After begging for five years, my mum finally found a solution. The visits to SAA began. When we first arrived, I thought the animals looked scary. When I entered the dog place, I realized how lucky the dogs that had homes were. Though, the dogs in SAA actually enjoyed their life already and tried to be as happy as possible. The SAA dogs appreciated their lifestyle while pet dogs were expecting more from their owners, for they were terribly spoiled. The dogs in SAA looked frightening, but inside, they had a huge heart. Like the dog I sponsored, Alison, she was very passionate and clever. She could sit and shake paws! Another example was Dick, a huge dog, one of the largest in SAA. He could do tricks as well and he was a gentle giant. He wouldn’t even hurt a fly!” — Alicia C.

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Out in the New Territories of Hong Kong, a visit to SAA can really be a calming, enlightening experience. The volunteers take extra care of the animals and know how to handle the dogs (not afraid to just join the dogs in the cage). Volunteers are also knowledgeable of the different personalities, it’s great to know that the animals are not just treated as objects of trade. There are cats, dogs, goats, and even a pig named Peter who weighs 1 ton! It’s great to take out a few dogs for a walk around the area, escaping the hustle and bustle of the city. (I got to meet Alison, Tin Tin, Dick, Jack, and Yumi)

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The SAA is open on Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Located at Section 1, Pak Sha Village, Kiu Hing Road, Yuen Long, New Territories.

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I traveled to SAA by car, but for public transit – it is recommended to take the Light Rail to Tai Tong Road. Then from Hop Choi Street, taking the green mini bus No. 39 (Best to tell the driver where you are heading with a written name and address in Chinese)

doggy   tintin_peter

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Everything Tastes Better When It’s Free

I am asked often how I find out about local events, how I know random facts, and isn’t living in Hong Kong expensive?! But really, my life is a combination of a lot of randomness that somehow fits nicely in my planner… I’m most times just lucky.

Last month, I got the wonderful invitation to attend an all inclusive dinner for 8, ten courses for us to try for FREE. Daniel Arenas Tello, from Les Fils à Maman (meaning Mother’s sons), a new French bistro in Central District, invited a few of us for this amazing opportunity under one condition.

“Take pictures and post onto Instagram with the hashtag #lovevintagehk!”

Um. I can do that! Of course! :)

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As one of their signature dishes, they presented us with 1 kg, I repeat, 1 KG! rib bone with oven baked potatoes that was meant to be shared among two. Really? It was huge. We had nice wine, great conversations, and although it’s true that everything tastes better when it’s free, I’m sure the meal would be just as yummy with a pricetag. My favorites of the meal were definitely the desserts :)

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At the dinner, I met a food and fashion blogging duo (See Hungry David’s blog on the dinner here) and was accompanied with my HK Instayay friends. (Thank you Fhung for the invite!)

Another goldmine worth sharing is Twitter Drinking, a monthly meetup for social media folks hosted at different bars around town. FREE drinks in trendy, hip atmospheres, you must sign up! Lucky for me, the crowds have yet to fail me in interest level (It’s never boring!). I met a few folks in UX (user experience), my field of interest, and there are definitely a few expats, globe-trotters in the mix. 

And finally, I won’t know how it will turn out as I have yet to go but I will be a hair model for TONI&GUY, a UK hairdressing company based also in Hong Kong. How did this happen? I basically followed them on Facebook and emailed them my headshot! Anyone can sign up :)

So hey, even though Hong Kong might be the 14th most expensive city in the world, so says South China Morning Post – you can get away with some cool freebies. And after some thought, I finally have the answers to my frequently asked questions— they all refer to social media. So yes, thank you Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. I like you, sometimes :)

Les Fils à Maman
LG/F, 75 Hollywood Road, Central
+852 2871 0045

Twitter Drinking
Location: Varies – follow @jmis22 and @hypercasey on Twitter, the #TDHK tag, and look for their Eventbrite page updates.

TONI&GUY
G/F, 15 Wyndham Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central
+852 2801 7870
Follow them on Facebook

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HiKing in HK: Night & Day

Hong Kong, one of the world’s most densely populated cities, during rush hour especially, it’s easy to feel like a little fish in the sea of 7 million squished in that MTR (subway) car without any breathing room. It’s in the mountains where I find refuge and rejuvenate from the stress and hectic schedules. When you get to see the concrete skyline from afar, time stops – especially at night!

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Growing up in Hawaii, I usually look forward to pretty landscapes while hiking and I know Night Hiking, as the name implies is hiking at night but I was still so surprised at how dark it was going to be and how dependent I became on my flashlight. I was joined by three globally aware expats from Ireland and France starting the hike around 8 p.m. from Tai Koo MTR Station Exit B, walking up to the Tai Koo Country Trail to the Quarry Bay Jogging Park to finally end at Braemer Hill walking along St. Joan of Arc Secondary School ending around half past 10 p.m. It would have been another 20 minute walk to the MTR station, but with a group of 4, you can split a taxi to Fortress Hill or North Point without the meter jumping.

We were lucky as most restaurants were closed but we came across a branch of Sun Chiu Kee Restaurant, apparently a chain around Hong Kong that had such a nice staff team! They only had one English menu (which I realized did NOT have all the dishes), but were so patient. Their special that was unique and worth-trying was the “oatmeal shrimp.” Even though it’s a chain restaurant and I can’t vouch for all the branches, the staff at this branch maintained such a cheery mood even in the wee hours past midnight which definitely makes me want to go back. My expat friends experienced the late night atmosphere of gambling drinking games and alcohol bottle clanging :).

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The next hike I ventured on with some international teachers was the famous Dragon’s Back Hike. It’s an easy enough route – From the Shau Kei Wan MTR Station, Exit A3 just take the #9 Bus from the Shau Kei Wan Bus Terminus to To Tei Wan on Shek O Road. We lucked out with the nice weather. The highlight of the day was seeing a paraglider prepare for a liftoff (Adding it to my bucket list!)

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Starting in the morning, we were done with the hike just in time for lunch. Shau Kei Wan’s Main Street East is THE street to eat, an easy destination choice after a good morning workout. Restaurants such as Kam Tung Tai, where you can try a mound of yummy shredded chicken with roasted duck topped with a generous amount of chopped spring onions or staples such as On Lee Noodle are there. You can also get some local favorites – fish fillet rice noodles with a red bean milk tea. This is the definition of comfort food.

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Any restaurant on this street will not be a mistake. It’s also very close to a local market street, perfect for fruits and veggies.

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Sun Chiu Kee Restaurant
90 Java Road, North Point
+852 2590 6889
Open late, 1 am.

Kam Tung Tai
59-99 Shau Kei Wan Main Street East, Shau Kei Wan
+852 2569 4361

On Lee Noodle
22 Shau Kei Wan Main Street East, Shau Kei Wan
+852 2513 8398

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