Hop Inn, Hong Kong 2013

Finding a place to stay in Hong Kong can be difficult for the young but not so affluent traveller. When travelling, I like to find a place that's a combination of affordable, comfortable, clean and pretty. It took awhile to find that place in Hong Kong but I finally found it in Hop Inn. Located in two locations in Tsim Sha Tsui, each room in Hop Inn is individually designed by a local artist or illustrator. No two rooms are the same! The rooms are small (as are most rooms in HK) but cozy and comfortable. Very important as we spent quite a bit of time lazing around our beds, catching up on long-neglected videos and social media. 

We stayed at the location in Carnavon, located on the highest floor of the building, high above the bustle of TST. There is so much personality at Hop Inn, the walls are signed by every one who has passed through, there are little touches of flora, fauna and recycling, and the corridors are endlessly sunny during the day. Not to mention how special each room is, I was lucky enough one day to still be in the hostel as the cleaning lady was going around her rounds of cleaning checked-out rooms and she allowed me to go in to the two rooms she had finished. Very cool rooms they were, I wish I could have gone into the rest. And ironically I don't even have photographs of our own room.

The Coffee Academics, Hong Kong 2013

The Coffee Academics is an intimidating place to step in, not helped by the name, the multiple references to coffee everywhere, the slightly gothic decor and the extensive collection of coffee brewing equipment at the coffee bar. We went in after our dinner at Cafe Corridor to top off our stomachs with (more) coffee and sweets. We got a patio seat which we highly recommended for people-watching and a cool evening breeze.

Desserts were kept simple with a honey strawberry tart (yums!) but decided to go experimental with our coffee with an espresso con panna, a macchiato and a piccolo latte. My espresso con panna was an eye-opening experience, to be honest, I wasn't even sure how to drink it! Do I mix the whipped cream into the espresso or do I just sip the different layers straight from the cup? I did both, if you were wondering.

Cafe Corridor, Hong Kong 2013

Blink and you could literally miss Cafe Corridor as you walk down the street. Which is what happened to us because it took us 15 minutes to find the place despite being on the right street and knowing the unit number. Set in a space accessible only by a narrow corridor (very literal) from the street, Cafe Corridor is quite possibly the smallest cafe I have ever been in. Tables and diners are squished in every available corner while the coffee bar and kitchen is packed full of brewing and cooking paraphernalia. Despite the space, a good spread of food and coffee is offered, and we took advantage of that by ordering both brewed (French press) and espresso-based (cappucino) coffees and dinner. If you need some respite from the crowds of Causeway Bay, this is a good spot to get away.

Admiralty, Hong Kong 2013

One stop away from Central, Admiralty is a little more staid, a little less frivolous. We spent one late afternoon at The Petit Cafe catching our breath and taking a little time to read and write amidst business people wheeling and dealing. Later I took a little walk around Hong Kong Park after I failed to reach the Asia Society in time.

Sun Kee Cheese Noodles, Hong Kong 2013

Looking at these pictures, I am struggling very hard to keep my drool from spilling out of my mouth. What you see here is a bowl of creamy, calorie-laden cheese sauce ladled over firm, springy instant noodles. Perfect supper food. I got the classic pork neck while C went for a Hong Kong style carbonara of eggs and sausages. We washed it down with cups of iced tea. Sun Kee Noodles is located in Champagne Court on Kimberly Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, it's a really dodgy looking place but there's nothing dodgy about the food.

126 grammes, Hong Kong 2013

126 grammes is a cute little patisserie dedicated only to choux a la creme (creme puff), an insanely delicious and tiny cake that traces its history to 16th century France. 126 grammes is the first bakery in Hong Kong to offer choux a la creme, made all the more delicious because you really have to work for it! 126 grammes is located at the top of Aberdeen Street, one of the the steepest street in Central. Take a few seconds to regain your breath before you go in and marvel at those delicate creations.

Lan Fong Yuen, Hong Kong 2013

We didn't have the stomach to eat a full meal at Lan Fong Yuen but we couldn't give up on its famous milk tea.

Mak's Noodle, Hong Kong 2013

I like how Central has a mix of low-end and high-end eateries. Mak's Noodles seems like it would be more comfortable set in a suburban neighbourhood but there it is in the middle of Central, set amongst the skyscrapers that make Hong Kong a financial metropolis. Walk inside, and you forget all about that. Mak's Noodles is as homely as they come, with the clientele to match. The noodles were insanely delicious, and so different from what we have at home.