Towering skyscrapers sit on top of lush green jungle. City covered mountains plunge into the peaceful South China Sea. Centuries-old herbal medicine shops are wedged between glamorous dimly lit bars. The old Hong Konger with wisdom in his eyes sits at his family owned watch shop staring out the window, watching as his neighborhood continuously evolves in front of him. All walks of life live on top of each other in Hong Kong.
Welcome to the city of juxtapositions. Cue…VIDEO!
There are few cities in this world I’ve been to that give me that same invigorating energy as my home sweet NYC does. A foreign city in a foreign land, with a foreign language and foreign customs, a short 8,040 miles (12,939 km) away from home… brought me, well, home. Talk about juxtapositions!
This post is all about the video, so I’m gonna keep it short and cut to the chase:
If you’re making a trip to HK, here are my recommendations!
Dim Sum at Lin Heung Tea House
Featured in the video, this local gem is one of the only still-standing traditional “Yum Cha” tea houses left in Hong Kong, and the dim sum is as deliciously authentic as it gets. Most tourists make a B-line straight to Tim Ho Wan, famous for being “the world’s cheapest Michelin Star restaurant.” However, I was advised by locals not to go there, as it’s allegedly lost its quality and authentic, local flare. If you have the time, try going to both to compare!
Egg Waffle at Master Low-key Food Shop
Crispy, creamy and chewy with just a touch of sweetness, these babies are totally worth the wait on line.
Find Master Low-Key Food Shop on Google Maps
Italian food fix at Pici
I admit it…I caved! Sometimes, a girls’ just gotta have cheesy, carby, cured meaty Italian-goodness. Lucky for me, Hong Kong is as much of an international melting pot of cuisines as it is a traditional one. Pici is a trendy “pasta bar” as they call themselves, with a very reasonably priced fixed menu featuring whatever the dishes of the day are, starring what else, but their handmade pasta. I was in burrata and prosciutto heaven.
Cocktails at Old Man Bar
Hemingway fans, this one is for you! A literal hole-in-the-wall, this underground speakeasy serves up some of the best cocktails in HK.
Find Old Man Bar on Google Maps
Where to stay?
Well, it depends what you want out of your HK experience. If you wanna be in the center of all the action, stay in Central. For the international, trendy area with countless hip bars, chic restaurants, art galleries and artsy boutiques, stay in SoHo (my personal fave!). For all you all-nighter party animals out there, stay in Lan Kwai Fong. If you wanna shop-’til-you-drop, stay in Causeway Bay, or surround yourself with local markets in Mong Kok. For more on HK ‘hoods, check out this complete guide.
I haven’t been there yet….and until I read your 1st paragraph and watched the video, now HK is a place I would absolutely want to visit. Thanks AWC for continuing to inspire!!
My absolute pleasure! I hope you get there one day, it certainly is a magnificent city!
Happy wandering, Deb on the go!
Your Casiedilla 😉
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