Hong Kong Island is not very large at all. In fact, it only takes about 20 minutes to get from the east to the west side. For those who enjoy a slower pace of life, taking the MTR is an essential experience.
The MTR Island Line from Kennedy Town to Chai Wan spans 16.3 kilometres with 15 stations in total. Each stop has plenty to see, do, and eat. Making up the middle section of the Island Line, Admiralty, Wan Chai, and Causeway Bay are home to many office buildings, residences, and shopping malls. In addition to several MICHELIN-recommended restaurants, there are also many stylish and luxury hotels in the area, too.
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Admiralty is a major commercial and financial hub outside Central. Commercial buildings from the 1970s, such as Murray Building, have become Hong Kong architectural icons. The Museum of Tea Ware, which occupies the former site of Victoria Barracks from the 19th century, as well as art museums like the Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre, are all worth a special trip. This district also has several five-star hotels, such as the Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong perched atop Pacific Place. When it comes to dining, chain restaurants and major dining establishments are aplenty in Admiralty, but a stroll along Star Street will reveal unique eateries, such as Vietnamese pho restaurant, Brass Spoon (Wan Chai).
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Head eastward, and you will find yourself at Wan Chai. Although the resident population here is just over 100,000, the number of commuters is close to 600,000, with many coming to Wan Chai for work or school. The bustling area sees the opening of numerous local shops: Samsen (Wan Chai), a favourite among tourists located near the Blue House; Sang Kee, a time-honoured Cantonese restaurant; and Ship Kee, which opened three years ago; all of which are everyday dining spots for Wan Chai residents. Both MICHELIN-recommended eateries for many years, Trusty Congee King (Wan Chai) and Megan’s Kitchen also offer exceptional local flavours.
The hotels in Wan Chai also reflect the area’s diverse community. Here, one can find elegant luxury hotels like Grand Hyatt Hong Kong alongside unique boutique hotels like The Fleming.
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Just one stop away, Causeway Bay is a shopping destination, where high-quality chain restaurants can thrive due to the heavy foot traffic. If you are looking to explore cool independent shops. There are also many chic hotels in Causeway Bay. One such example is Mira Moon with a “Chang’e Flying to the Moon” theme.
Admiralty
Brass Spoon (Wan Chai)
The Wan Chai branch of Brass Spoon has been recommended by the MICHELIN Guide for consecutive years. Located on the quiet Star Street, the restaurant specialises in authentic Vietnamese pho. Trained in France, the owner and chef is very meticulous about the broth — a rich and flavourful creation made by simmering at least 100 catties (60kg) of beef bones with American beef shank and brisket for over 12 hours.Diners are offered beef cuts of different grades, such as the exquisitely marbled US Angus short ribs, flavourful Angus beef chuck, and locally sourced beef brisket. Additional toppings like beef tendon, beef tripe, beef balls, and Vietnamese sausage are also available. The menu also features a selection of Vietnamese snacks and appetisers, such as spring rolls and steamed rice rolls, which are very popular with nearby office workers and residents.
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The Upper House
Designed by Hong Kong architect Andre Fu, The Upper House exudes understated luxury compared to the overt opulence of many other luxury hotels. In fact, when it opened, the hotel challenged the public’s impression of what five-star hotels should look like. The Upper House demonstrates great use of calm and neutral colours, incorporating natural textures, light, and shadow to create evergreen designs that breathe refinement and sophistication. A design highlight is the Sky Bridge on Level 49. The bamboo-shaped skylight allows natural light to flow into the space, leading visitors on an upward journey to Salisterra and Sky Lounge with a 40-metre-high atrium. The hotel rooms are adorned with natural wood, Japanese-style translucent glass, and limestone floor and wall tiles, creating an effortless and simple style with modern elegance.
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Wan Chai
Ship Kee
Opened in 2021, Ship Kee is helmed by the experienced executive chef Dee Lui, who has worked in many renowned Chinese restaurants. The Chinese barbecue and dim sum chefs are also veterans with over 30 years of experience. The signature Master Woo’s honey glazed BBQ pork is a must-try, roasted with traditional techniques using perfectly marbled pork collar. Other handcrafted dishes include diced live lobster with Sichuan dried chilli made with South Australian lobster, which is tasty with a burst of sweet umami; poached mustard greens with pork skirt steak and intestine in pepper soup; and sizzling giant garoupa’s stomach. Curious about dishes crafted from lost recipes? Be sure to pre-order the sea cucumber in abalone sauce with pomelo peel, as well as the chicken in pork tripe with pepper. RELATED: Best Char Siu in Hong Kong
Megan’s Kitchen
Diners come to Megan’s Kitchen for its creative hot pot soup bases and handmade toppings. Some of these compelling soup base creations include tom yum cappuccino, souffle crab roe tomato cream soup, and British-style red wine oxtail soup. Its seafood, wagyu beef slices, house-made meatballs, and dumplings are very popular with diners. The restaurant also offers various Cantonese-style dishes with great value for money, including the steamed minced beef patty with dried mandarin peel and braised eggplant with minced pork.
Samsen (Wan Chai)
Just next to the iconic landmark of Blue House in Wan Chai, Samsen is dressed in nostalgic South Asian aesthetics with Thai tin sheets that transport you straight to bustling Bangkok. Its signature dish is Thai boat noodles. Cooked for six hours, the deeply flavourful broth is made using a traditional recipe with cinnamon, star anise, and lemongrass. Be sure to save space for the Thai coconut ice cream dessert.
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong is one of the city’s most iconic hotels. Conveniently located near the Wan Chai MTR Station, the newly opened Exhibition Centre Station, and Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the hotel is frequented by business people and political figures. Complemented by a luxurious and tasteful interior, most rooms offer spectacular views of Victoria Harbour. The hotel also houses some outstanding restaurants worth trying, such as One Harbour Road, which offers traditional Cantonese dishes with attentive service, making it a hotspot among celebrities in Hong Kong.
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Causeway Bay
Tai Woo
Famous for its Cantonese dishes and seafood, Tai Woo holds a special place in the collective memory of Hongkongers. The restaurant opened in the 1980s and later moved to its current location. With affordable prices and high-quality food, it is undoubtedly a popular neighbourhood gem. Signature dishes include the sesame salt-baked chicken and minced ginger fried rice with fresh fish. RELATED: Same Same But Different: The Different Types of Chicken Rice Around Asia
The Fleming
Tucked away at a quiet intersection of Causeway Bay and Wan Chai is The Fleming, just a 15-minute walk from Times Square. The hotel’s design draws inspiration from Hong Kong’s bygone industrial era and the iconic Star Ferry. In addition to the signature green of the ferry, you will also find nautical details throughout the hotel, from antique-style key card slots and classical brass lighting fixtures to ship gauges and touches of blush. The nostalgia-infused hotel features 66 guest rooms with 15 different layouts, with room doors that resemble boat cabin doors as well as custom-made beds, desks, and screens that exude charming old Hong Kong vibes.The article is written by Gloria Chung and translated by Iris Wong. Read the original article here.
Further Reading: Discover Hong Kong’s MICHELIN-Recommended Restaurants by MTR: Island Line, Western Section
