You may know all the regular places, but sometimes you just have to impress your friends with something more. Join us as we take you on a trip into Hong Kong’s lesser-visited spots. But don’t tell anyone. After all, we don’t want everyone finding out…
Broadway’s DVD CaveWhile Broadway’s hip Yau Ma Tei Cinematheque theater has drawn in cinephiles for years by being the city’s epicenter of arthouse screenings, it truly rewards those willing to wander the lobby and stumble upon Hong Kong’s best DVD library. Finding hidden gems in Kubrick’s treasure trove can keep you busy for hours, but those interested in expanding their cinematic horizons without building their home collection can also buy a membership to Broadway ($120/year) from the desk outside the shop, which grants access to unlimited free rentals from a wall of thousands of DVDs in the theater lobby.
Prosperous Garden, 3 Public Square St., Yau Ma Tei, 2384-5487. Gateway Drugs
Despite sitting right in the middle of the Central/Sheung Wan boundary, Gateway is a surprisingly little-known gem. We’ve been visiting Gateway for years, in search of their vast selection of American snacks—most of which come in big, US-style packaging, perfect for bulk-buying. How does it differ from other supermarkets in Hong Kong also offering imported goods? Well, Gateway goes above and beyond your standard packet of Oreos, selling everything from Cheez-Its to Californian pitted olives. Delivery is free for purchases of more than $850. Taste that? It’s the taste of freedom. Also calories.
B/F, 188 Des Voeux Rd. Central, Sheung Wan, 2545-0338.
Nostalgia, at Old Hong Kong PricesHongkongers are increasingly seeking out retro Hong Kong design elements to dot around their homes, but you don’t have to go to a pricey vintage shop or design store to find cool knick-knacks. One of our favorite shops is Chu Wing Kee, a mom-and-pop place that’s been on Possession Street for some 50 years. It’s piled floor to ceiling with retro thermos flasks, ceramic “chicken” bowls, Chinese tea sets, mooncake presses, Hong-Kong-style letter boxes, wicker baskets, bamboo steamers and just about anything you can think of—and it’s all much cheaper than G.O.D. Check out this incredibly cool post on the HKU-student-created westsidestorieshk.com, which goes through the history of the store and provides a comprehensive listing of the kind of products it provides: tiny.cc/chuwingkee.
26 Possession St., Sheung Wan, 2545-3560.
Secret Food
Hong Kong is full of food—but how many of these hidden joints do you know?
