Diner’s DiaryRed Pepper Restaurant in Hong Kong, where Bruce Lee fought NBA star Kareem Abdul Jabbar, closes after almost 50 years
- The restaurant, popular with tourists, opened in Causeway Bay in 1971, serving Sichuanese food – at the time a rarity in Hong Kong
- The owner, who recalls Bruce Lee filming in the restaurant in 1972, says the pandemic caused it to shut – initially for six months to see if business picks up
The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in the closure of more than 2,000 restaurants in Hong Kong, and one more will be added to the list before the end of 2020.
The Red Pepper Restaurant that serves Sichuanese cuisine will close its doors temporarily on December 31 after almost 50 years in business. Owner, Jimmy Lee Ka-fu, 70, says he may reopen the restaurant in six months, depending on the pandemic.
Located on Lan Fong Road in Causeway Bay, the restaurant stands out with its colourful traditional Chinese facade complete with red pillars, brick walls and turquoise roof tiles.
The eatery is well known for its sizzling fried prawns with chilli sauce, ma po tofu, dry fried shredded beef with chilli, and even Peking duck.
“I tried my best to keep the business going, but because of the pandemic we want to stop for a while,” says Lee on the phone. “We want to see what the future is with the pandemic, if it turns good, we will start again soon. It depends on the pandemic.”