Escape The Expat Bubble – Shek Tong Tsui
Andrea Lo
Sandwiched between Kennedy Town and Sai Ying Pun—now full-fledged hipster neighbourhoods—is vibrant Shek Tong Tsui. Once a quiet nook where the wet market was pretty much as happening as it got, Shek Tong Tsui has transformed into one of the city’s up-and-coming neighbourhoods.
As its neighbours began to develop following the opening of the MTR’s West Island Line, Shek Tong Tsui was put on the map. Since then, trendy restaurants, bars and lifestyle stores have opened their doors around the Hill Road artery, with a hub of ventures gathered on Po Tuck Street, just a stone’s throw away from HKU station. Thankfully, Shek Tong Tsui has retained its charm, character, and community feel. Allow me to be your Hong Kong city guide as we explore the many streets, shops and Shek Tong Tsui Restaurants.
Shek Tong Tsui Restaurants
South Lane
South Lane offers a bright, minimalist setting to sit down and dine after exploring the streets of Shek Tong Tsui. The menu steers towards ‘green eating’ with an 80% vegetarian menu featuring fresh seasonal veggies, free-range eggs and high-quality organic ingredients. All-day breakfast menu highlights include sweet potato coconut pancakes and Moroccan baked eggs, with wholesome bowls and gourmet big plates featuring crispy snapper burgers and roasted Norwegian salmon with seared Hokkaido scallops and micro greens.
G/F. 14 South Lane, Shek Tong Tsui, Hong Kong
Image Credit: https://www.southlane.co/
Cafe Malacca
When it comes to top-notch Southeast Asian cuisine – there’s something special about this Shek Tong Tsui restaurant. Since opening in 2013, Cafe Malacca has consistently delivered mouthwatering Malaysian and Singaporean fare, attracting Hong Kong foodies in droves. Here you’ll find rich Malaysian flavours and signature Singaporean classics like Penang assam laksa, beef rendang and crowd favourite, nasi goreng.
2/F, Hotel Jen, 508 Queen’s Road West, Hong Kong
Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/cafe_malacca_hk/
No Milkshake No Life
This hipster hangout on Hill Road serves up some of the best shakes in Hong Kong with flavours like classic chocolate, coffee oreo, key lime pie and caramel peanut butter with bacon. Far more than just milkshakes, the menu at this funky Hong Kong cafe also features all-day breakfast and buttermilk pancakes, gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, tacos, and chicken and wagyu burgers with a serving of cajun nachos.
Shop A, G/F, Graceful Court, 31-37 Hill Road, Hong Kong
Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/nomilkshakenolife/
Ba Yi
Ba Yi is old school through and through. Serving Xinjiang cuisine, which originates from the northeast of China, the restaurant has been around since forever. There’s a particular focus on lamb and mutton, a staple in diets in the far-flung region bordering Mongolia and Kazakhstan. You’ll also find camel pancakes, hearty stews (chicken and potato; beef), and of course, dumplings.
43 Water Street, Sai Wan, Hong Kong
Image Credit: Laurel Chor/Coconuts Media
Aziza
Located on Des Voeux Road, Aziza is the home of authentic, homemade Egyptian cuisine in Hong Kong. Using upgraded family recipes, head chef Mohsen Gaber Ibrahim takes Egyptian flavours to a whole new level with a menu featuring homemade pita with hummus and baba ganoush, lamb and chicken shawarma, hearty okra and oxtail tagine and traditional desserts like cream-filled konafa and baked-to-perfection baklava.
Shop 1B, G/F, Upton Tower, 345 Des Voeux Rd W, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong
Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/aziza_restaurant/
Shek Tong Tsui Things to Do
Hong Kong University
HKU takes up a fair bit of the neighbourhood, and its gorgeous historical buildings are definitely worth a wander. The University Museum and Art Gallery, in particular, is the oldest in the city and houses a sizeable collection of Chinese antique pieces dating back to the Qing dynasty. Taking up the Fung Ping Shan Building, the UMAG also runs a tea gallery in the T. T. Tsui Building next door. Soak up the art and artefacts, then stop in for a cuppa.
Fung Ping Shan Building and T. T. Tsui Building, Bonham Road, Hong Kong
Image Credit:https://www.instagram.com/umag_hku/
Lo Pan Temple
Lo Pan Temple is a Hong Kong hidden gem that offers the perfect escape from the buzz of Shek Tong Tsui. Dedicated to the saint of carpenters and builders—the temple dates back to the late 1800s and features a range of beautiful murals, clay sculptures and stone carvings to explore while enjoying a peaceful respite. While technically located in Kennedy Town, the temple is just a short walk from the University of Hong Kong.
15 Ching Lin Terrace, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong
Image Credit: https://www.discoverhongkong.com/
Shop
Shek Tong Tsui Market
To get an authentic taste of local Hong Kong life, take a trip to the bustling Shek Tong Tsui market. The sprawling market is located over four levels with friendly vendors selling a range of goods, including organic vegetables, meat, flowers and other weekly staples. The top floor is home to various eateries and seafood restaurants, perfect for a quick bite while on your tour of Shek Tong Tsui.
470 Queen’s Road West, Shek Tong Tsui, Hong Kong
Image Credit: https://au.trip.com/
Ethos
Lifestyle space Ethos is one of the coolest ventures to hit Shek Tong Tsui, attracting hipsters like moths to a flame. A store, cafe and event space all in one, Ethos is a minimalist-chic space offering a carefully curated collection of products like clothes, publications and home goods. It makes for a charismatic space to while away an afternoon over cups of coffee and a good book.
93-99 Hill Road, Shek Tong Tsui, Hong Kong
Image Credit: https://au.trip.com/
Andrea Lo is a freelance journalist and translator based in Hong Kong. After cutting her teeth in the industry as a staff writer at a lifestyle magazine, she embraced the freelance life in 2015 and hasn’t looked back. She spends her time exploring the best of Hong Kong’s dining and nightlife scene, trialling new fitness trends, and travelling to exotic locales – all in the name of “research”.