This is where everyone goes to get that photo of Hong Kong island. The easiest way to get there is the tram which is of course the most popular way. The queues were really long. However because my ticket for the Big Bus tour included the tram ticket, I was able to breeze past the worst of the crowds. It was dark on the steep ride up, so I only caught glimpses of the surrounding high-rise buildings. But when I stepped out onto the terrace at the Peak, I was blown away by the views. The sun had set a few hours earlier, the sky was black and the city below was ablaze with lights. The International Commerce Centre across the harbour is essentially a one-hundred-and-eighteen storey tall digital billboard.
I hung around for the Symphony of Lights show. It’s intended to be viewed from across the harbour, along Tsim Sha Tsui promenade, but is just as good at Victoria Peak.
“Good fortune for your mouth”. The rough translation of Ho Lee Fook. The name also sounds like holy fuck. Both are appropriate because wow the food is good. I still think about the fried rice, more than twelve months later. In a city known for its foodie scene, it could be hard to stand out. But this place does that, and then some. It serves up elevated and modern variations of Chinese food, inspired by traditional casual Hong Kong eating places – dai pai dongs and cha chaan tengs. Reserve a table in advance or arrive close to opening time to ensure you don’t miss out.
An indoor food market with seating in the middle and a strip of food stalls around the perimeter. It looks a little rough around the edges, but offers up a variety of asian cuisines. I opted for a noodle dish from one of the Chinese outlets. The food from the Indian joint also looked appetising and the Thai stall comes with good reviews. Usually I’m content to dine alone when I’m travelling solo but in this case, it would be more enjoyable with a group.
This juice bar caught my attention on Instagram. As the name suggests, Be-Juiced specialises in pressed juices that are nutritious and delicious – I can vouch for that. I had the “sweet tooth” which was a combination of orange, pineapple, strawberry and chia seed. They also serve raw foods like açai bowls.
I stumbled across this random bakery when I was wondering around Mong Kok. They do different versions of one dessert – it’s essentially a pastry filled with cream – can’t go wrong with that.
There were so many other places that I read about or stumbled across but didn’t have time to try out – Grassroots Pantry, I Love You Dessert Bar, The Cupping Room, Supabowl, Mak’s Noodle, Sevva, BEP Vietnamese Kitchen, Den Tai Fung, Mana! Fast Slow Food, September at Wellington Street, Chifa Dumpling House, Kau Lee, Oddies, Hakawa Chocolate, Dragon fly, Uma Nota, La Vache, Fridge, Soho Spice, Cicada, Soul Food Thai, Holy Eats and 65 Peel,