Field Notes

Gage Street Neighbourhood Guide

  • Between Hong Kong’s Central and SoHo district is Gage Street, a hillside enclave that bridges new and old artisans, designers, and restaurateurs.

  • Home to a street market for flowers and fresh produce, and Chinese pantry essentials — look beyond the market in the bordering streets for local finds or modern bars and restaurants serving craft beer, herbal tea, nomadic fusion and Michelin-level feeds. Then there’s Tai Kwun, Pak Kung Temple and Crafts on Peel, all but a street away too. Read on to delve into the neighbourhood. 



    Sing Heung Yuen


    Set in the back alley of Gough Street, this iconic dai pai dong (open-air food stall) has been dishing out classic comfort food for well over 60 years. The no-frills, hawker-style eatery is perpetually packed with foodies who flock to the venue for their signature fare, including the tomato broth macaroni and lemon honey crispy buns. Long queues are to be expected during lunch hour, so visiting early is highly recommended.


    Address: 2 Mee Lun Street

    Tel: +852 2544 8368

  • Kau Kee Restaurant


    A name that requires little introduction, Kau Kee is a century-old institution and legend in the beef brisket scene. The tiny Gough Street outlet attracts diners who come in droves to queue for a bowl of beefy goodness. Cooked with their secret recipes, brisket is offered in two ways – in a clear broth or with curry soup. Both are so packed with flavour that brisket devotees will willingly put up with their cramped tables and notoriously brusque service. 

     

    Address: G/F, 21 Gough Street

    Tel: +852 2850 5967




    Kung Lee Herbal Tea Shop


    Situated amidst trendy galleries and bars, Kung Lee takes you back in time through its tenement-style storefront and vintage interiors. Since 1948, the shop has been churning out homemade sugarcane juices, beloved by locals to this day. Prepared with traditional methods to retain their sweetness and health benefits, sugarcane is peeled and steamed for hours before going into an antique juicer. Also look out for other popular items like the sugarcane pudding and guilingao to pair with the classic beverage.


    G/F, 60 Hollywood Road

    Tel: +852 2544 3571

  • Lan Fong Yuen


    Founded in 1952, Lan Fong Yuen is one of Hong Kong’s most historic cha chaan tengs and the pioneer of classic beverages, “yuen yeung” and “silk stocking milk tea”. Their main outlet on Gage Street is hidden behind an old-school metallic stall, retained from their original open-air kitchen. Aside from their famous milk tea, be sure to check out other nostalgic favourites, like the fried pork chop bun and French toast.

     

    Address: 2 Gage Street

    Tel: +852 2544 3895 / 2854 0731

  • Gage Street Market


    Take a stroll down to Gage Street Market for a sensory overload of sights, sounds and smells. As Hong Kong’s last remaining open-air wet market, it is home to dozens of stalls and street vendors lining the narrow alleys along its namesake thoroughfare. On offer are all kinds of seasonal produce, from vegetables and meats to live seafood, plus other essentials - like noodles, dried foods and fermented sauces - to keep your Chinese pantry well stocked.


    Located along Gage, Graham and Peel Streets

  • Crafts on Peel 


    Crafts on Peel is a non-profit creative space seeking to preserve and perpetuate Hong Kong’s artisanal heritage through providing a platform for collaboration between traditional craftsmen and contemporary artists. Housed in a beautifully restored historic building, the venue is frequent host to cultural events, exhibitions and experiential programmes, all with the vision of giving new life to age-old crafts and materials. 


    11 Peel Street

    Tel: +852 2510 0637

  • Pak Kung Temple


    Tucked away along the steps of Peel Street, Pak Kung Temple can easily go unnoticed if not for the giant coils of incense hanging from its ceiling. Legend has it that Pak Kung was a Chinese herbalist who practised in the neighborhood, offering free consultations to the sick and needy. Upon his passing, locals built this humble place of worship to commemorate his kindness and selfless generosity.

     

    Peel Street, Central, Hong Kong

  • Tai Kwun 


    Hong Kong’s largest ever revitalization project sees the Former Central Police Station Compound transformed into a preeminent destination for the city’s art and culture. Incorporating 16 colonial-era police and judicial buildings, the compound now houses a host of galleries, restaurants and shops, along with free-for-all public spaces. Turn up on any given day and immerse yourself in an art exhibition, or enjoy a performance in the onetime prison yard. For those with an empty stomach, Tai Kwun also offers a stellar line-up of F&B options that range from casual to high-end.


    10 Hollywood Road 

    Tel: +852 3559 2600

  • 杣 - YASHIMA


    Yashima presents a kaiseki-styled omakase experience in a setting that evokes Kyoto’s zen gardens. Executive chef Takahashi Kouya brings his 30 years of expertise to this elegant 12-seater venue. Diners can choose from three omakase sets, which rotate almost on a daily basis to emphasise hyper seasonality and the chef’s masterful techniques. Besides traditional sushi choices, cooked plates feature jet-fresh seafood, from abalone and Japanese lobster, to Hokkaido uni and hairy crab.


    G/F, 2-4 Kau U Fong

    Tel: +852 2328 8980 




    Little Bao Soho


    Following a brief departure from Soho, the ever-so-hip, neon-lit “baby bao” has made a return with an outpost on Shin Hing Street. Baos (pillowy white buns stuffed with Asian fillings), both savoury and sweet, remain as the mainstay in the menu, while other dishes show off a penchant for Chinese-inspired, cross-cultural flavours. The restaurant is helmed by May Chow, who was awarded Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2017.


    1-3 Shin Hing Street, Central

    Tel: +852 2818 1280

  • Photography by Little Bao Soho

  • Candour 


    A one-of-a-kind hip hop bar-lounge, Candour pays tribute to the origins of hip hop not only through music, but also their progressive cocktail programme. Formatted like a track list, each drink is dedicated to an influential artist that has shaped the genre through the decades - from Dre and Snoop (“The Chronic”) to Migos (“Bad and Boujee”). As you vibe to the rhymes, the full-fledged food menu will keep you well nourished, with crowd favourites such as the orange chicken, char-siu tacos and mapo tofu tater tots.


    65 Peel Street

    Tel: +852 2362 8100

  • Baked


    Drawing massive lines on weekends, Baked is arguably the hottest brunch spot in the city - and for good reason. The all-day cafe is led by South African chef-proprietor Zahir Mohamed, a sixth-generation baker, who has dreamed up an array of hearty breakfasts and comfort-inducing dishes. But the star attraction here is definitely the fresh sourdough, which is served alongside a generous array of toppings. Pair it with a cup of their signature Vietnamese iced coffee to complete the meal.

     

    14D Elgin Street

    Tel: +852 2885 2121

  • Photography by Baked

  • RONIN

    Hidden behind a pair of unmarked doors off Gough Street, Ronin is the brainchild of F&B visionaries Matt Abergel and Lindsey Jang, who founded Yardbird. The izakaya-style eatery and bar puts a firm focus on market fresh fish and seafood, cooked with Japanese flavours and techniques. Their affable staff will be happy to guide you through their extensive library of whiskies, sakes and Nippon-centric cocktails, which pair perfectly with the well-executed fare. 



    G/F, 8 On Wo Lane

    Tel: +852 2547 5263


    Photography by RONIN 

  • Taqueria Super Macho


    Inspired by street-side taquerias dotted along the Mexico coast, this lively taco bar channels fun-loving beach vibes from the Baja and Jalisco regions. Inside, the restaurant space is pared-back, with neon light decor surrounding casual communal tables and a bar that serves up endless streams of tequila concoctions. Tacos are a given obviously, but you’ll also want to sample other signatures, like the rock shrimp aguachile and chargrilled Mexican street corn.



    33-35 Bridges Street

    Tel: +852 2333 0111


    Photography by Taqueria Super Macho

  • Bedu


    Bedu is a cosy Middle Eastern restaurant and bar inspired by the nomadic Bedouin tribes across the deserts of North Africa. Giving a modern twist on the region’s traditional street foods, the menu incorporates plenty of delectable, spice-centric sharing plates, where both meat lovers and vegetarians are well catered for. The restaurant’s intimate and unfussy vibe makes it the perfect spot for a casual gathering with friends - or a dinner date.


    40 Gough Street

  • Yardleys - Cafe • Bistro • Bar


    Launched by the team behind the Yardley Brothers Craft Brewery, Yardleys - Cafe • Bistro • Bar brings their famous local brews - once exclusive to Lamma Island - to the heart of Soho. The bar offers up to 14 different taps from their all-time-favourite brews, as well as their limited-release barrel aged selections to match the fusion delicacies on the food menu. For those craving a caffeine kick, the house also delivers a killer single-origin coffee.


    62 Peel Street

    Tel: +852 5602 6457

  • Bianco & Rosso


    Hong Kong’s first “house of vermouth”, Bianco & Rosso, pays homage to the ancient legacy of the spirit. Inspired by roadside bodegas found along the cycling routes of Spain, France and Italy, the bistro-slash-bar features a comprehensive list of fortified wines to please drinkers of all levels. Aside from vermouths, spritz, amaro and bitters also feature prominently, while the cocktail programme is backed by a range of thirst-quenching spritzers and highballs. The food menu emphasises classic flavours designed to take diners on an European Odessy.


    29 Gough Street

    Tel: +852 2813 1669




    Cultivate


    Cultivate is the debut restaurant by talented owner-chef Leonard Cheung, who previously worked for Michelin-starred kitchens 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana and Eleven Madison Park. Located on Elgin Street with just 22 seats, the chef’s table restaurant offers an intimate experience where diners are invited to have direct interactions with the culinary team. The constantly-evolving tasting menu reflects the seasons and highlights the chef’s flair for inventive combinations.


    Shop A, 27-29 Elgin Street

    Tel: +852 5303 1230

  • Photography by Bianco & Rosso

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