Planning any gathering can be a tough process. Birthdays, engagement parties and casual summer get-togethers should be a painless procedure that is focused on the celebration of friends and family spending a day enjoying one another’s company. When the cost and commitment of a junk is too daunting or the venue is just too fancy, one can never go wrong with a good old-fashioned barbecue. However, with the skyscrapers a plenty and large terraces scarce, where else can you take those burger patties? Well, Hong Kong has taken the initiative and set up hundreds of public BBQ spots for you to take your own coal, food and drink and fire up for a day in the wilderness. Shek O hosts a series of sheltered cooking areas for rent and even will provide freshly marinated meats to chuck straight on the roasting fire. Just moved to the city and looking to make new friends? This is the perfect way to get stuck in with good people, good food and ample amounts of beer.
Gad, 23, Grown up on Lamma
From playing in nature as a child to now working full time in the city in event management for a market communications agency, Gad has spent his life living on the outlying island of Lamma. Just a 25 minute ferry ride away from Central, Lamma island provides a hub for likeminded people enjoying the wilderness, the breezy hikes, casual bars and fresh seafood. He loves the chilled hippy vibes that contrast from the busy city-life on Hong Kong side.
Chachawan
G/F, 206 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan | Daily 12pm – 2:30pm; 6:30pm – 12am
Located at the Sheung Wan end of Hollywood Road Chachawan’s range of Issan Thai cuisine. The feeling is relaxed and casual, and the food comes quickly, which with its high quality ingredients, makes the price totally worth the visit. Gad recommends trying the lemongrass chicken.
Le Souk
G/F, 4 Staunton Street, SoHo, Central | Mon-Sat 5pm – 2am; Sun 5pm – 12am
Can’t decide whether you want shisha, cocktails or some Middle Eastern nibbles? Well, right here is where you’ll get all three. And they’ll be good. The tapas styled dishes are perfect for sharing and the atmosphere is just right for any laid back evening.
Sophie, 25, Born in Hong Kong
Another locally born attendee at the BBQ was Sophie, a corporate sales manager working for a lifestyle design and retail brand based in Hong Kong. Having gone through the international schools followed by an adventure up to Edinburgh, Scotland, Sophie then moved to Beijing where she studied business before returning home and moving to Lamma island. She enjoys going out with friends and discovering new venues to enjoy house and disco funk music.
Duen Kee Chinese Restaurant
57-58 Chuen Lung Estate, Route Twisk, Tsuen Wan | Daily 6am – 2pm
Far off the beaten track is Hong Kong’s best-kept dim sum secret. Gather some mates, hop in a taxi and get taken up to Tai Mo Shan for authentic yum cha in this quaint little teahouse hidden in a tiny village. The perfect 852 experience to take your foreign friends to!
Sangeetha Vegetarian Restaurant | @svrhkg
UG 1-5 & 31, Wing On Plaza, 62 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | http://sangeetha.com.hk/ | Daily 11am – 3pm; 6pm – 10:30pm
Nothing beats a Dosa that stretches the length of your table. Except perhaps a set that allows you to sample every bit of scrumptious veggie food on the menu. The great service and variety of dishes will complete your meat-free night out.
Rick Boost, 29, Lives in TST
Being the writer for the photography magazine, DigitalRev, Rick spends his time looking for new, interesting content to share and is working towards becoming the best presenter in his home city. He claims Hong Kong is alive 24/7 and there is absolutely no excuse to be bored at any time of the day. He has grown up around Shatin and Sai Kung, and having returned from a nine year stint in the UK where he studied community radio and freelance video, now lives in the hectic streets of Tsim Sha Tsui. Keep an eye out for this versatile gentleman as he works toward starting up his very own media channel.
Okapi
G/F, No. 67 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, NT | http://okapi.hk/main.html | Mon-Fri 12pm – 11pm; Sat, Sun & Public Holiday 11am – 11pm
Not only is the food made from great quality ingredients like salmon, steak and lobster, the kind staff complete the cosy, comfortable atmosphere for an all rounded dining experience.
Chicken Hof & Soju
G/F, Kam Kok Mansion, 84 Kimberley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | Daily 2pm – 6am
Since the 1960s, Kimberly Street in Tsim Sha Tsui has been the home to Little Korea, a road hustling with Korean grocery shops and restaurants. Rick swears it’s the best, most addictive Korean fried chicken in Hong Kong. Make sure you let them know to get the spice balance just right!
Born in London and whisked away to Hong Kong at 2 years old, I have grown up surrounded by fast paced cultures and international events. They have shaped my attitude to the world from a young age: the world is small and I want to explore it all.
