Say it isn’t so! Bing Kee Cha Dong – an iconic dai pai dong in Tai Hang – announced on its Instagram account last weekend that it is “taking a long holiday” indefinitely due to staff shortage and lack of manpower.
Loved by Hongkongers and tourists alike, the old-school, tin-roofed dai pai dong has been in operation for more than half a century, and is frequently listed in Hong Kong travel guides as a foodie destination, growing its appeal as a social media ‘check-in’ spot.
Bing Kee has a long history stretching all the way back to the 1950s. It first appeared on the scene as a bakery specialising in traditional Chinese pastries before transitioning into a casual dai pai dong serving local, down-to-earth diner fare. Bing Kee’s claim to fame is its authentic Hong Kong-style milk tea – it was even ranked by CNN as one of the top four spots in the city for the classic beverage – and the eatery is also notable for its pork chop noodles, Hong Kong-style French toast, and corned beef and egg sandwiches.
Hong Kong superstar Eason Chan has been spotted dining at this no-frills diner on Shepherd Street multiple times, and Bing Kee has even been featured on the silver screen in Hong Kong comedy The Romancing Star 2 and mainland Chinese drama The First Frost.
Open-air food stalls like Bing Kee are a dying breed in Hong Kong these days, but there are still a handful of them kicking around, including Sing Kee on Stanley Street, Sing Heung Yuen on Mei Lun Street, and Yuk Yip Dessert on Elgin Street, all in Central. If you’re keen to venture deeper into the heart of Kowloon, Oi Man Sang in Sham Shui Po is a must-visit for its killer wok hei aromas and irresistible salt-and-pepper squid dish.
Fingers crossed that Bing Kee will return from its ‘hiatus’ sooner rather than later!
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