Tai Hang: Ultimate guide

Somewhat of a landmark in Tai Hang, Bing Kee Cha Dong has been serving up local bites in a quiet alley for over half a century. Foodies come far and wide from around the city for their pork chop noodles and Hong Kong-style milk tea. The shop opens from 7am to 3pm everyday except Mondays, so it's best to head there for breakfast or a late lunch. Do note that they are sometimes closed during the holidays, so be sure to check their socials beforehand.

Photograph: Cara Hung | Bing Kee

Apart from local bites, a slew of modern cafes and restaurants have also made Tai Hang their home. One of our favourite places to hit up is Chin Jor Fan Tong. 

Photograph: Jenny Leung | Chin Jor Fan Tong

Hidden behind a set of white, archaic shopfront gates – which makes for a cool contrast with the neon-lit interior – the restaurant plates up a range of choose-your-own noodle dishes for diners to pick different soup bases, spice levels, noodle types, and toppings for a tailor-made slurping experience.

Photograph: Jenny Leung | No.2 Cafe & Restaurant

Other places to grab a bite include Tipsy Restaurant and Bar, which specialises in European fare, as well as Plumcot, a small patisserie that specialises in artisanal ice cream, cakes, and French pastries.

Photograph: Jenny Leung | Cookie Vission

If you're looking for something to satisfy your sweet tooth, head to No.2 Cafe & Restaurant for their indulgent honey thick toast topped with ice cream, or pop over to Cookie Vission for everything from classic cookies to ice cream sandwiches and big boy milkshakes.

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Taking up the space of a two-storey pre-war tenement building, Sonne CAD is for serious coffee drinkers. Step through its grand wooden doors and be pleasantly greeted by a warm coffee aroma. The shop specialises in pour-over and cold brews and offers locally roasted as well as single-origin coffee from around the world. 

Photograph: Jenny Leung | Muse

For laidback vibes and a simple coffee done right, you can't go wrong with a visit to HeyDay Cafe or Muse, which serves as both a cafe and a lifestyle store with a carefully curated collection of glass and teaware, ceramics, and other decorative items available for purchase.

Last but certainly not least, Fineprint has got to be our go-to location for a quick caffeine fix. Its laidback Aussie vibes and excellent espressos are a fitting addition to the charming neighbourhood. The outdoor corner table (if you manage to nab it), is the best seat in the house for morning coffee, people-watching, and plenty of dog-petting. 

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Aside from places to eat and drink, Tai Hang is also home to many quirky, local shops. Quietly tucked away along Sun Chun Street, The Minimal is a treasure trove filled with vintage homeware items, rare toys, collectables, and more. Each piece is unique and very random, but they all somehow fit together perfectly.

Photograph: Jenny Leung | The Minimal

Photograph: Jenny Leung | Kanamono

A few doors down from The Minimal, Kanamono might just be the coolest hardware store you'll ever come across in Hong Kong. The shop sources tools from all around the world – though, shop owner and interior designer Sammi has a particular soft spot for Japanese products – with everything arranged in an orderly fashion and artfully decorated to inspire DIYers as soon as they step inside.

Photograph: Jenny Leung | The Shophouse

The Shophouse is a historic pre-war tong lau that was renovated to cultivate a space to showcase works by talented creators from Hong Kong and overseas. There are regular exhibitions and pop-ups here, so you're guaranteed to experience something new every time.

Photograph: Jenny Leung | Psyroot Store

Don't forget to also stop by Psyroot Store, a funky little skate shop that offers everything from skateboards and balance boards to art tools, vinyl, books, and more. 

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Another reason for our love of Tai Hang is the historic landmarks that sit harmoniously with the area’s abundance of unique shops and cafes; and perhaps the most famous of all is the Haw Par Mansion.

Built in 1935 by Haw Aw-boon, aka ‘The King of Tiger Balm’, the mansion's garden was Hong Kong’s first-ever theme park before it was torn down and replaced by a residential complex. The mansion itself stayed and was converted into the Haw Par Music Foundation Limited (HPMF) in 2019, but sadly, the foundation struggled to sustain itself and announced its closure in 2022. If you would like to pay a visit, the mansion is open on Fridays to Sundays and public holidays for public visits through guided tours by appointment.

Photograph: Jenny Leung | Lin Fa Temple

Other local landmarks worth visiting include the Lin Fa Temple, a semi-octagonal-shaped structure dedicated to Kwun Yam, The Goddess of Mercy. Step inside and marvel at the dragon-themed mural on the ceiling – a homage to the traditional Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance – and try the kau chim fortune-telling sticks, which can be interpreted by the experts at the temple.

Photograph: Jenny Leung | Tai Hang Fire Dragon Heritage Centre

Speaking of dancing fire dragons, be sure to check out the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Heritage Centre to learn more about this ancient ritual. Housed inside a three-story historic building – once known as the Hung Shing Yi Hok, a school founded by Hong Kong Confucian Society in 1909 – the centre features an exhibition area on the ground floor to showcase the craft and history of fire dragon-making; a social enterprise restaurant offering a blend of modern and Hakka dishes on the first floor; and a multi-functional space on the second floor for workshops, talks, and other activities.

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Little Tai Hang is the perfect spot to call home as a visitor to Hong Kong or, alternatively, a fab spot for a Hongkonger to grab a staycation. The rooms are spacious with modern, quirky decor and ridiculously comfy beds. Harbour view rooms also boast a magnificent view over to the ICC. All rooms come with a snazzy Apple TV and some also have a balcony and/or bathtubs. There’s even a 24-hour fitness room that’s surprisingly well decked out for a small boutique hotel.

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