Central is the CBD of Hong Kong. However, beyond the skyscrapers and lights, there are many things to do here – Lan Kwai Fong, Peak Tram, Star Ferry and etc. Central is also one of my favourite food and shopping destinations in Hong Kong. Here’s my list of things to do in Central.
FOOD:
#1 Yat Lok Roast Goose 一樂燒鵝
Arguably one of the best roast goose in Hong Kong, Yat Kok has been awarded a Michelin star consecutively from 2015 – 2018, it is also featured in Anthony Bourdain’s Hongkong episode. The restaurant offers a great variety of roasted meat, noodles, congee and rice dishes. I tried the roasted goose drumstick with rice (HKD 108) while my friend ordered the roasted goose chest with rice noodles (HKD 59). We really enjoyed paper thin crispy skin and the tender goose meat, it was not too greasy with a only a thin layer of fats under the skin.
My only regret? I should have ordered the lower quarter (containing drumstick, HKD175) because one drumstick is never enough.
Yat Lok 一樂燒鵝
Add: G/F, 34-38 Stanley Street, Central, Hong Kong
Hours: 10am – 9pm (Mon-Sat), 10am – 5.30pm (Sun). Day Off every last Wednesday of the month
#2 Tai Cheong Bakery 泰昌餅家
Tai Cheong is famous for its sweet and aromatic egg tarts with short crust pastry shell (HKD 9). It was really good when we had it piping hot and fresh from the oven. However, I love the sugar coated donuts 沙翁 even more. Unlike its light and fluffy western counterparts, Tai Cheong’s donuts were eggy, milky and creamy with crepe like layers beneath. So good!
Tai Cheong Bakery 泰昌餅家
Add: 35 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong
Hours: Opens daily 730am to 9pm
#3 Little Bao
Little Bao is an American diner with Asian twist where baos or buns is a prominent item on the menu. Try out their signature pork belly bun and Szechuan Fried Chicken bun as well as the ice cream sandwiches served in a golden, deep-fried bun.
Little Bao
Add: 66 Staunton St, Central, Hong Kong
Hours: Monday to Friday 6–11PM, Saturday to Sunday 12–4PM, 6–11PM
#4 Oddies Foodies
Oddies Foodies serves one of the most instagrammable soft serve cup in Hong Kong. This tiny little shop is famous for its signature Night Wolf sundae (HKD 66), an indulgent mix of soft gelato, caramelised banana ice cream, brownies, passion fruit panna cotta and famous HK street snack chocolate chip eggette.
Oddies Foodies
Add: 45 Gough Street, Central Hong Kong (Sheung Wan MTR Exit A2)
Hours: 12pm – 10.30pm Daily
#5 Sing Heung Yuen 勝香園
I love the ‘dai pai dong’ setting of Seng Heung Yuen – hawker stall shaded by canopies, wooden chairs and tables scattered around the cramped area, dining ala al-fresco style. Some of the must orders are the Salty Lemon Sprite 咸檸七, Lemon Honey Crispy Bun 柠蜜脆脆 and tomato beef mission noodles 茄牛公仔麵.
Sing Heung Yuen 勝香園
Add: Mei Lun Street (Central)
Hours: Mon to Sat – 8am to 530pm
#6 Lan Fong Yuan 蘭芳園
The 50 year old shop is also the birth place of “pantyhose milk tea” 絲襪奶茶 that has become something so significant in Hong Kong’s food and drink culture that it is craved daily by the Hong Kongers.
The milk tea was velvety smooth and creamy. Their secret blend of tea leaves left a robust, lingering flavor as it glides down our throat. The hot version tasted much better than the iced milk tea as the ice has somewhat diluted and tainted the flavor.
Lan Fong Yuen 蘭芳園
Add: No. 2, Gage st (Central)
Hours: Monday to Saturday – 7am to 6pm
Sights & Shopping:
#1 Hollywood Road Old Town Mural
This is no doubt, the most photographed street art in Hong Kong. It was originally a piece commissioned by lifestyle brand GOD’s store around the corner and done by local graffiti artist Alex Croft.
Location: Opposite The Globe, 45-53 Graham St, Central.
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We also found quite a few gallery of street art brightening up Central’s hidden corners. Have fun discovering them!!
#2 PMQ
PMQ is a revitalised historical site and now as a hub for creative and design industries.
The space has different exhibitions and installations during different times of the year. I was there during summer and they have this cuddle bubble paradise at the courtyard, where colourful bubbles fill the place and spread happiness to everyone.
There are some cute cafes, tea houses and bars in PMQ too. Garden Meow is a Taiwanese beer garden that serves Taiwanese food, beer and coffee.
Goods of Desire, a quintessential Hong Kong lifestyle brand is here too.
About 100 design and creative enterprises are stationed in PMQ. Around half the tenants are in the fashion and household product design sectors with the rest in creative design categories such as fashion accessories, food, furniture, jewellery and watches, design services and design galleries. Have fun shopping for some unique pieces and knick knacks here!
#3 Tai Kwun
source: http://www.thestandard.com.hk/
Tai Kwun is the the city’s largest revitalisation heritage project to date. Formerly the Central Police Station, Tai Kwun is now a centre for heritage and arts. It is a great place for wine and dine, and to soak up arts and culture.
Tai Kwun
Add: 10 Hollywood Road Central Hong Kong
Hours: Mon–Sun 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
