Upon entering this restaurant (look for the shrine to the kitchen god at the entrance), you immediately feel as if you’ve stepped back a couple of decades to a Hong Kong that has all but vanished. The decor is outdated and, unless you’re a regular, the waiters are indifferent. Yet for almost 50 years this has remained the place to go for exotic dishes, including shark’s fin, bird’s nest, and abalone, served in a variety of ways, as well as more down-to-earth dishes such as fried crispy chicken and pan-fried lobster bars.
Shark’s fin, however, is the obvious number-one choice, with 12 different renditions listed on the menu. If you feel like splurging, prices for a bowl of shark’s fin with crabmeat or shredded chicken begin at HK$350 (US$45/£25). If you are not careful, you could end up spending a small fortune (if you go for the exotic dishes, count on at least HK$1,000/US$130/£71 per person), but whatever you order, it’s apt to be memorable. Indeed, some Hong Kong old-timers swear this restaurant serves the best Cantonese food in the world, and it’s a favorite of local movers and shakers. Unlike many Chinese restaurants, this establishment provides both small (for two to four diners) and large tables.