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Check out Humans of Hong Kong, our newest video series focused on telling Hong Kong stories!
Copyright © 2022 LOCALIIZ | All rights reserved
Check out Humans of Hong Kong, our newest video series focused on telling Hong Kong stories!
Header image courtesy of @leungchopan (Shutterstock)
Nestled between the working-class neighbourhoods of Kwun Tong and Ngau Tau Kok is the district of Kowloon Bay, alluding to both a body of water and a community in Hong Kong. Long before transforming into the bustling business district it is today, the area started its career as a swarming transport hub when Kai Tak International Airport was built in the 1950s. Now that this area has been reclaimed after the construction of the Kowloon Bay MTR, check out our guide to what to do in around “Nine Dragons Bay.”
You can find Mega Ice inside the vast MegaBox shopping mall, and as the largest ice-skating rink in all of Hong Kong, it easily meets the international standard for skating rinks, making it the first venue in Hong Kong with the ability to host international ice hockey leagues! Fortunately, you don’t have to be a professional to go enjoy the ice rink, as it’s open to the public and offers ice skates for rent; in fact, if you’re taking it slow as a beginner, you can admire the full view of Victoria Harbour through Mega Ice’s 30-metre glass window, right next to the rink.
Mega Ice, Unit 1, Level 10, MegaBox, 38 Wang Chiu Road, Kowloon Bay | (+852) 2709 4023
Established in June 2012, the Zero Carbon Park is an exhibition hall, education centre, and information hub for low- and zero-carbon building design, smart city technologies, as well as low-carbon lifestyles. Developed by the Construction Industry Council (CIC) in collaboration with the Hong Kong government, the ZCP consists of a three-story zero-carbon building occupying an expansive swathe of 14,700 square metres amid beautifully landscaped gardens. They also have an eco-café, an eco-plaza, and the first urban woodland populated with native plants!
Zero Carbon Park (CIC-ZCP), ZCB, 8 Sheung Yuet Road, Kowloon Bay | (+852) 2100 9588
We all know the term “BYOB” but what about BYO? BYO stands for Bake Your Own, and this cake studio leans on the co-baking concept as well. Book your slot online and choose your baking project of the day, whether it’s cheesecake or macarons. When you arrive, you are armed with your own iPad for the day with a step-by-step video tutorial to follow. It’s a great bonding activity for friends and family, but people also rent out the venue for team building events, product launches, bridal showers, and corporate events!
We had a go at the five-inch double-layered cheesecake ($490), a creation so fail-proof that even fools like us could master it. They also launched the pet cake series ($330) at their Megabox branch, which uses pumpkin, flour, eggs, vegetable oil, potatoes, cream cheese, and dog biscuits for you to share the joy of baking with your furry friends at home.
Let out your inner child at E Cube Club, one of Hong Kong’s largest indoor playgrounds and a true paradise for kids everywhere. Boasting an integrated area spanning 11,000 square feet and a host of different activity zones, E Cube Club aims to relay the following core ideas through fun: entertainment, education, and exchange. Admissions start at $120 for one child and an accompanying adult, though it’s only $100 if you are a member at the Club. If you’re looking to visit, make sure to book ahead, since play sessions are divided into different time slots.
E Cube Club, E Cube Club, Level 12, MegaBox, 38 Wang Chiu Road, Kowloon Bay | (+852) 2151 9761
The Four-Face Buddha is hidden next to one of the entrances of the Goldin Financial Global Centre in Kowloon Bay and it is arguably the most beautiful Buddhist shrine in Hong Kong. We admit, an office building in the middle of an industrial district is an unlikely place to find a place of worship but that’s exactly what makes this monument and the surrounding zen sculptures extra special. If you want to go up close to get a better look, be sure to call ahead and let the staff know since the area is usually roped off.
Goldin Financial Global Centre, 17 Kai Cheung Road, Kowloon Bay | (+852) 2593 2815
What used to be Hong Kong’s first airport is now the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, a regional transport hub for cruise ships travelling in and out of the city. With the capacity to berth two large 360-metre-long vessels, the current building was built along the former Kai Tak Airport runway, preserving a slice of history. However, what really draws us to this imposing structure is actually its dog-friendly rooftop park, which boasts a large central lawn and great views of the cityscape on Hong Kong Island. Pack a picnic basket and blanket, maybe a few board games, and bring your furry friends along for a relaxing day out!
Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, 33 Shing Fung Road, Kowloon Bay | (+852) 3465 6888
Though their rustic name may be misleading you to think of Fisher & Farmer as a Western surf ‘n’ turf restaurant, this modern Chinese establishment actually focuses on traditional dishes from Beijing and Sichuan. Start off with something small and fiery like the Sichuan simmered sliced medaka ($298), or if you’re looking for a whole fish, turn to the dedicated section, where you can customise your mains. Start off by choosing what type of fish you would like, such as the grouper ($488), seabass ($318), sole fish ($308), or medaka ($318), before moving on to select your soup style; sour & spicy or Sichuan hot come highly recommended.
Fisher & Farmer, Shop 5, 13/F, Enterprise Square Five, MegaBox, 38 Wang Chiu Road, Kowloon Bay | (+852) 2529 8383
Popular Nagoya restaurant Hoi Hoi Pancake House opened their first Hong Kong store in MegaBox, bringing their light, airy, and fluffy Japanese pancakes to our shores. For those who aren’t familiar, this charming establishment produces Hawaiian-style pancakes using premium Japanese ingredients. Their long-time signature, the maple syrup pancakes ($98), bursts with sweetness and rich eggy flavour, while tropical favourites like the Hawaiian pancakes ($108), topped with crushed nuts for textural contrast, appeal to more adventuresome taste buds. Exclusive to their new Hong Kong location, Hoi Hoi has two new flavours to cater to Hong Kong’s discerning palate: matcha pancakes ($118), with a Tokachi-grown azuki red bean sauce, and the sweet, sweet creme brûlée pancakes ($98).
Hoi Hoi Pancake House, Shop 19–20, 1/F, MegaBox, 38 Wang Chiu Road, Kowloon Bay | (+852) 2461 7000
Let’s be honest: Who in Hong Kong doesn’t love MUJI? The Japanese lifestyle titan has captivated several generations with its minimalistic stationery and household products, but these days, that’s not all the brand is famous for. MUJI has evolved their casual cafés into a tranquil dining concept, serving cooked foods inspired by their most popular snacks. Sink your teeth into all kinds of rice balls, like the edamame & salted seaweed rice ball ($48), as well as sides like the sautéed lotus root ($38). Although the menu places a heavy focus on vegetables and light flavours, Café&Meal MUJI also offers meaty dishes such as the Kyoto-style simmered chicken & root vegetables ($38).
Café&Meal MUJI, Shop 401–402, 4/F, Telford Plaza 2, 33 Wai Yip Street, Kowloon Bay | (+852) 3973 8390
Coti the Bistro grew from humble beginnings as a coffee shop but their new branch in Kowloon Bay has shifted focus to all things food. Featuring all-day dining and brunch options with hearty dishes such as the slow-cooked grilled Spanish chicken ($89), Coti the Bistro is an easy choice for a casual, filling meal. Fans of their speciality coffees can still enjoy classics like the honeycomb coffee ($48), which comes in three parts: a spoonful of honeycomb, a glass of milk, and a shot of espresso. You can mix everything together according to your own tastes!
Coti the Bistro, Shop 4, 1/F, Tower One, Enterprise Square, 9 Sheung Yuet Road, Kowloon Bay | (+852) 2386 0288
The industrial neighbourhood of Kowloon Bay seems like an unlikely place to go for a fine-dining meal—let alone inside an office building—but that’s exactly what Le Pan built their concept on. The restaurant is perfectly camouflaged inside the Goldin Financial Global Centre, but once you step inside, you’ll be amazed by its massive lounge, dining area, and several rooms for private gatherings. For your first time, try out their six-course menu degustation ($1,480) or the four-course menu du chef ($980) for a taste of what Le Pan has to offer.
Le Pan, G/F, Goldin Financial Global Centre, 17 Kai Cheung Road, Kowloon Bay | (+852) 3188 2355
Kamameshi (釜飯) roughly translates to “iron pot rice,” and believe us when we say that this dish is pure genius when it comes to flavours. Diners can choose different toppings to go with the rice, and the heat of the iron pot gives the bottom layer a crisped edge. Their signature creation is the golden unagi kamameshi (starting from $88), where you can opt for different parts of the eel, including the fattest, thickest, and crispiest parts. If you can’t decide which part you prefer, you can also get a kabayaki unagi ($288) with a whole eel and treat yourself.
Guts Soul Kamameshi, Shop G286–288, G/F, Phase 3, Amoy Plaza, 77 Ngau Tau Kok Road, Kowloon Bay | (+852) 2366 6028
Tucked away in the quiet alleys of Kowloon Bay is Lungo, a petite café serving delectable bagels. Favourites include their flavoured bagels, such as the green tea bagel ($59) and the tomato bagel ($59), as well as bagel sandwiches such as the salmon bagel ($72). Given that Lungo is a coffee shop, don’t leave without trying one of their speciality drinks—we would recommend the black sesame latte ($45).
Lungo, Shop B3B, G/F, Block B, Proficient Industrial Centre, 6 Wang Kwun Road, Kowloon Bay | (+852) 2581 3118
Chill Inn is one of the latest additions to the Hong Kong International Trade & Exhibition Centre, but don’t look down on this newcomer—it stretches over 4,000 feet and comes with booming flavours to match. This restaurant serves modern Southeast Asian cuisine and also doubles as a pet playground, so you can bring your furry friends to hang out while you enjoy a toothsome feast. Chill Inn’s menu also includes pet-friendly dishes, and after your meal, you can relax in hammocks and browse through their in-house pet shops!
Chill Inn, Shop 21–23, G/F, Hong Kong International Trade & Exhibition Centre, 1 Trademart Drive, Kowloon Bay | (+852) 2849 8289
With over a million square feet of retail space, the 19-floor shopping mall of MegaBox is undoubtedly one of Hong Kong’s most iconic—it’s hard to miss its bright red exterior from afar. Their anchor tenants include Aeon, a two-story Japanese department store, and Swedish home furniture giant Ikea, providing two popular reasons why residents from surrounding neighbourhoods often pilgrimage to this shopping mecca. MegaBox also offers tons of sportswear outlets and family-friendly activities, such as GameArt and Eddy’s Magic, but the main attractions are their ice-skating rink, Imax cinema, and MegaBox CEO, Hong Kong’s largest karaoke lounge with panoramic views of the harbour!
MegaBox, 38 Wang Chiu Road, Kowloon Bay | (+852) 2989 3000
Connected directly to the Kowloon Bay MTR station, Telford Plaza is the district’s oldest and most upscale shopping arcade. Consisting of two buildings, the mall is divided into themed “boulevards” with roughly 250 outlets that sell everything from fashion and electronics to housewares and groceries. For entertainment and dining, hit up the multiplex cinema and numerous restaurants all around Telford Plaza, a wide selection that should satisfy even the pickiest eater.
Telford Plaza, 33 Wai Yip Street, Kowloon Bay | (+852) 2750 0877
Amoy Plaza is a sprawling shopping centre made up of three floors and nearly 300 retail outlets, cementing it as the most convenient shopping destination for residents living in and around the private housing estate of Amoy Gardens. With leading fashion brands, electronics, household products, and other lifestyle retail options available throughout the mall, almost all of your shopping needs can be met, and there’s even a bit of outdoor space mixed in for you to take a break in the sun. If you want to catch a true glimpse into what it feels like to live in Kowloon Bay, there’s no better place to experience it.
Amoy Plaza, 77 Ngau Tau Kok Road, Kowloon Bay | (+852) 2756 6722
Having lived in Hong Kong, Beijing, and London sure is a fun fact whenever people try to guess Ching’s accent. She loves switching between all these language channels and her “mother tongue” is just determined by how many drinks she’s had for the night! She loves movies, travelling, and exploring cities, from hidden alleys to gourmet dining, so feel free to hit her up if you need any suggestions for dinner!
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