8 Apr
World’s First Starbucks “Bing Sutt” 冰室@ Duddel Street, Hong Kong
When in Hong Kong, one should visit a “bing sutt” in Mong Kok or Yau Ma Tei to get a slice of old Hong Long. My top pick is Mido Cafe, an old, rustic place with more than 40 years in history. However, if your coffee addiction kicks in, go to Starbucks “Bing Sutt” at Duddell Street. It is the world’s first as Starbucks have collaborated with Douglas Young’s G.O.D to create a concept coffee space. 冰室/”Bing Sutt”, which literally means ice room is the coffeehouse back in the 1950’s through to the 1970’s.
Duddell Street in Central, Hong Kong is famous for its four gas-powered street lamps. These street lamps are still powered by town gas. And to get to Starbucks “Bong Sutt”, one has to climb those flight of stairs. Duddell Street Steps and Gas Lamps are declared monuments of Hong Kong.
antique gas-operated street lamps
view from the steps
As we pushed through the door to Starbucks, we were instantly attracted by the meticulous attention to details – the old school blinds, the dusty old fans, folding chairs, birdcages, small tiled floors, old radios, old-school electric switches, adapters and the likes.
The drinks menu is basically the same, but Starbucks has incorporate some cha-chan-teng favourites such as egg tarts and polo buns. Yes, you can have your egg tarts with with a tall cup of Frappuccino!
merchandises for sale
Let’s take a nostalgic walk down memory lane at Starbucks Duddell Street!
Starbucks + Bing Sutt
Shop M2, Mezzanine Floor
Baskerville House
13 Duddell Street, Central
Posted by taufulou on April 8, 2011 at 9:37 am
wow…what a classic hongkee style starbucks…
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Posted by samlee860407 on April 8, 2011 at 10:44 am
whao, nice place!
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Posted by jason on April 8, 2011 at 11:27 am
Traditional meets modern! Nais!
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Posted by Timing on April 8, 2011 at 12:33 pm
Yau Ma Tei to get a slice of old Hong Long <– misspelling ;P
This starbucks looks super awesome though! When I went HK last year didn't do proper research, ended up going only to like the modern areas of town
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Posted by TravelingApe on April 8, 2011 at 12:54 pm
That’s so old school! I think it’s a smart move for Starbucks to collaborate. Egg tarts + Frappuccino, just nice.
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Posted by mimid3vils on April 8, 2011 at 1:18 pm
Haha, I can’t understand what is “bing sutt” at first
冰室 kononnya~
Oh, that staircase, always appeared at TVB dramas
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Posted by Kenny on April 8, 2011 at 3:17 pm
OMG!~ This post totally changes my perception on starbucks!
It’s so char chan teng starbuck! I’m sure if this is the starbuck right now, not many people would want to fork out tens of ringgits for a iced mocha.
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Posted by ai wei on April 8, 2011 at 11:05 pm
it’s really the old school style, love to be here, and also the staircase. haha
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Posted by Simon Seow on April 12, 2011 at 4:32 am
Aiya, why you don’t post to earlier T_T I would have visited this Starbucks when I was in HK last month. Well, I’ll going again maybe next year. lol.
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Posted by JD on April 12, 2011 at 11:31 am
Love the setting of the Starbucks! So nostalgic and nice!
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Posted by King Kong on April 12, 2011 at 5:47 pm
It really takes me a while to get the meaning of “bing sutt”
This is really a new concept of Starbucks, I will make a trip to this “bing sutt” in my next trip.
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Posted by Enrique | Mexican Pottery on April 13, 2011 at 5:24 am
I will go to Hong Kong the next year for business. I will eat all the traditional food of that country, but with a starbucks my coffe of all the life will be with me
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Posted by peteformation on April 22, 2011 at 11:25 am
Nice place to have a cuppa! Love the antique fan.
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Posted by revel in me on April 30, 2011 at 5:30 pm
I LOVE THIS! Read this in a magazine a few years ago, but forgot about it… Will definitely make a visit here during my next HK trip!
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