#1: Love taking the Hong Kong tram, it's called 'Ding Ding' in Chinese, such a cute name; because of its bell!
It only runs along the northern coastline of Hong Kong Island district, from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan, and around Happy Valley. It is the most affordable and environmental friendly public transport, costing just HK$2.30 per ride and runs on electricity. It may not go as fast as the MTR/bus, but it sure is fun to ride on! It was really warm and humid during my trip, at 27degC. I love to hop on the tram and feel the wind gushing pass as it moves!
Just a gauge for you at the speed of the tram. From Causeway Bay to Central, it is 3 train (MTR) stops, probably take you about 10mins? But it takes you 30mins to reach Central on the tram.
Took a tram down to Wan Chai as it is just 2 tram stops from where I stay at Causeway Bay. Definitely more convenient, cheaper and less crowded than to take the MTR. Went to Michelin recommended congee place, Trusty Congee King for breakfast. Actually lunch, by the time I woke up. The congee was indeed really good, one of the best I had! I ordered the Ting Zai Congee, which comes with duck, sliced fish, fried pig skin, roasted peanuts and cabbage. I added century eggs Went to Michelin recommended congee place, Trusty Congee King for breakfast. Actually lunch, by the time I woke up. The congee was indeed really good, one of the best I had! I ordered the Ting Zai Congee, which comes with duck, sliced fish, fried pig skin, roasted peanuts and cabbage. I added century eggs as well. This is a must-try place! Then, I went to Tai Cheong Bakery and Honolulu Coffee Shop to get some egg tarts, about 2 streets away from each other. These 2 brands are famous for its egg tarts! Trying to find a nice cooling place to do a taste test...
Trusty Congee King 靠得住靓粥
7 Heard Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
1100-2245hrs (Mon-Sat), 1100-2145hrs (Sun)
MTR: Wan Chai Station Exit A3
#2: Trusty Congee King.
#3: Ting Zai Congee 荔湾艇仔粥, HK$42. +HK$10 for additional century eggs.
It comes with shredded duck, sliced fish, fried pig skin, cabbage and roasted peanuts.
Tai Cheong Bakery 泰昌饼家
106 Wan Chai Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
0730-2130hrs (daily)
MTR: Wan Chai Station Exit A3
#4: Tai Cheong Bakery.
#5: Look at those yummy egg tarts!
Honolulu Coffee Shop 檀岛咖啡饼店
G/F & Mezz Floor, 176-178 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
0630-2330hrs (daily)
MTR: Wan Chai Station Exit A4
#6: Honolulu Coffee Shop.
Guess this is the best shot of the shop as the shop is really huge and the pathway is really narrow. I could had gone opposite to take a photo but the roads are super busy!
Passed by ParknShop, a supermarket, and went in to see if I could find Cream Collon Cheesecake flavour, but nope. Got some Pocky Mango Mousse and Nissin Satay Noodles instead. Great escape from the heat! It’s 24degC but it’s super warm! Took a tram down to Sheung Wan. There is just too many places to go in Sheung Wan and Central! It is day 4 and I am still going back to this area. After reaching Sheung Wan, I first went to Brew Bros Coffee for an afternoon coffee, since that is the nearest to the tram stop. Then, I’m supposed to go to the Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences, which is about 600m away; but the entire journey is uphill and steps. Oh my god... Stopped halfway at a playground to try out the egg tarts bought earlier. Tai Cheong’s version has a nice buttery fragrance. The butter tart is flaky soft, almost melt-in-the-mouth. The filling is custard yellow, and taste quite similar to custard. It is firm to touch, but has a really soft texture. Honolulu’s version has a nice scent of old school bakery / biscuits. The pastry tart is fragile and flaky, and has a very different taste from Tai Cheong’s. The tart somewhat reminds me of Marie biscuits with a flaky texture. The filling is very pale yellow, almost white. It tasted milky and is very soft, it just disintegrates in your mouth. It has a lighter taste as compared.
Brew Bros Coffee
Shop F2, 22 Hillier Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
0800-1700hrs (Mon-Fri), 0800-1730hrs (Sat-Sun)
MTR: Sheung Wan Station Exit A2
#7: Brew Bros Coffee.
#8: Cappuccino, HK$38.
#9: [Left] from Honolulu, HK$1o. [Right] from Tai Cheong, HK$7.
Both are equally good but I think I will prefer Tai Cheong's one more, as it is richer and more butter is used. More fats contribute to a better mouthfeel right? After which, I continued moving up the stairs. It took me about an hour and over 20 flights of stairs to finally reach the museum. If each flight is about 10 steps, that will be like over 200 steps! But then, to my horror, the museum was closing in 5mins! What? They freaking change their operating hours but did not update online! My gosh, it’s okay, nice workout anyway. Glad that the next location, Gough Street, is located downhill all the way till almost the end, another 5 flights of stairs upwards. First, to Kau Kee, a recommended Beef Brisket Noodles place. Ordered the Curry Beef Brisket Noodles. It was quite a small bowl and for HK$60! It comes with handmade noodles, tender beef brisket, beef tendons and scallions, in a nice curry broth. Half the bowl is filled with beef tendons which I don’t eat. Though it is expensive, but it is worth trying once. There is forever a queue! Next, to Hakawa Chocolate, a chocolate cafe that sells a variety of chocolate drinks and handmade chocolate. I had the 74% Cocoa Hot Chocolate, and it was really good! Rich chocolaty and creamy taste! Then, to Oddies Foodies, a gelato shop. I ordered the Eggette (Bubble Waffle) Parfait that comes with gelato, Bubble Waffle and other toppings. There were 5 types of parfaits, each with an unique name. I had the one called ‘Woods’, which consists of milk gelato, salted caramel gelato, cinnamon crumbles, citrus jelly, apple compote and cinnamon waffle.
Kau Kee 九记牛腩
21 Gough Street, Central, Hong Kong
1230-2230hrs (Mon-Sat), Closed on Sundays
MTR: Sheung Wan Station Exit A2
#10: Kau Kee.
#11: Curry Beef Brisket Noodles 咖喱牛筋牛腩伊面, HK$60.
Hakawa Chocolate
Shop 1B, 49-51A Gough Street, Central, Hong Kong
1300-1900hrs (Tue-Fri), 1200-1900hrs (Sat-Sun), Closed on Mondays
MTR: Sheung Wan Station Exit A2
#12: Hakawa Chocolate.
#13: Hakawa Chocolate.
#14: Housemade chocolates.
#15: 74% Cocoa Hot Chocolate, HK$35.
Oddies Foodies
45 Gough Street, Central, Hong Kong
1230-2200hrs (daily)
MTR: Sheung Wan Station Exit A2
#16: Oddies Foodies, Woods (small) HK$69.
Comes with milk gelato, apple compote, citrus jelly, cinnamon crumbles, salted caramel gelato, milk gelato again, and cinnamon bubble waffle. Took the tram back to Causeway Bay. Decided to go to H&M, but the current collection consists of many sweaters, jackets and winter wear. Found 3 suitable tops for S’pore’s weather. Passed by Wellcome (supermarket) and decided to go in to check if there is any Cream Collon Cheesecake, and still nope. Found some Pocky Matcha Mousse and Hotplate Black Pepper Beef Fried / Dry Noodles (Yakisoba). The amount of stuff bought was getting a little too heavy. Decided to head back to the hotel to put down the things before I head to the last location, Rabbitland Cafe, dine and interact with real rabbits! It’s just diagonally across my hotel. Minimum spend per person is HK$50. Got the Set A at HK$98 for a drink, food (priced at HK$48 and below) and a cup of rabbit food (grass?). Got a Ribena and Pork Gyozas, which was really good! Rabbit is a really tame and fragile animal. We aren’t allowed to carry them, only gently stroking them on petting on the head, but the rabbits are free to move around the cafe.
Rabbitland Café
L3, No. 530 Jaffe Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
1300-2130hrs (daily)
MTR: Causeway Bay Station Exit D1
#17: Rabbitland Cafe, look at that cute little face!
#18: Rabbitland Cafe.
#19: Rabbitland Cafe.
#20: Set A - 1 drink, 1 food (priced HK$48 and below) and 1 cup of rabbit food (grass?), HK$98.
Ribena and Pork Gyozas.
#21: Took me awhile to find my way to the cafe at it is located on the 3rd floor and there is no visible signage along the pathway. Look out for this entry and make your way to level 3. There is a scrapbook shop on the 2nd floor. I’m halfway through my trip and it has been really convenient moving around, except for all the slopes and stairs. The place where I am staying at is really convenient and have pretty much everything. Opposite my hotel is 24hrs Tsui Wah, and a traditional Chinese dessert shop. There’s a pub next door and the cinema is just about 50m down the street. Diagonally is a gelato shop that sells good coffee as well. Many traditional takeaway stores and cha chaan teng around. Across the street, you have 7-11 and Wellcome Supermarket. MTR Station and SOGO Department Store are within 5mins walk. Walked down about 200-300m, there are Chinese medicine shops, bubble tea shops, Hong Kong snacks / street food shops, cosmetic brands, Starbucks, McDonalds, clothing brands, even IKEA and a 24hrs Ichiran branch. If you don’t mind staying at a capsule hotel, L’etoile de Mer is a great option for its price and convenience. Rates calculated as SG$1 = HK$5.65 Expenses for Day 4 Top-up Octopus Card HK$100 Trusty Congee King, Ting Zai Congee HK$42 +HK$10 Add Century Egg Tai Cheong Bakery, Egg Tart HK$7 x2 Honolulu Coffee Shop, Egg Tart HK$10 x2 ParknShop: - Pocky Mango Mousse HK$10 x2 - Nissin Satay Flavour Noodles HK8.80 x2 Brew Bros Coffee, Cappuccino HK$38 Kau Kee, Curry Beef Brisket Noodles HK$60 Hakawa, 74% Cocoa Hot Chocolate HK$35 Oddies Foodies, Woods (small) HK$69 H&M 3 Tops - HK$149, HK$79.90, HK$129 Wellcome: - Pocky Matcha Mousse HK$10 x2 - Doll Fried Noodle, Hotplate Black Pepper Beef Flavour HK$5.95 x2 Rabbitland Cafe, Drink + Food + Rabbit Food Set HK$98 Total Expenses for Day 4: HK$903.40 = SG$159.89 Previous Expenses: SG$1,303.40 Current Total Expenses: SG$1,463.29