Your neighbourhood guide to Whampoa

Thunderbowl is the first-ever bowling alley to be established in Hong Kong. Although disappointingly, the majority of bowling alleys in Hong Kong have since stopped operations, Thunderbowl still attracts amateurs and pros. There are 22 modern fibre lanes, suitable for tournaments and casual play. There are also two VIP rooms for party use, with fluorescent lighting and two separate lanes. Fancy a game of pool? Thunderbowl has that, too—you can book a private room to test out your inner Efren Reyes.

Thunderbowl, Shop 2, B-1, Screen World (Site 8), Whampoa Garden, Hung Hom | (+852) 2122 9822

Hung Hom Promenade starts at private housing estate Laguna Verde and goes all the way to East Tsim Sha Tsui—so yes, you will eventually end up on the Avenue of Stars! This scenic stroll greets you with views of both East Kowloon and almost the whole of Hong Kong Island, starting from North Point to Central.

Hung Hom Promenade is the go-to place for a jog, walking your dog (or petting one!), and having a picnic on a brisk afternoon as the area offers plenty of grassy areas to lay your mats. Side note: Working out on the grass whilst overlooking the iconic harbour (and basking in all that fresh air) beats going to the gym any day!

Hung Hom Promenade, Hung Hom

Remember the good old days when you would drag your friends and family to spend hours at this popular arcade? Now, it’s time to unleash your inner child again at one of the only remaining Jumpin Gyms in Hong Kong! In fact, the Whampoa outlet is the biggest Jumpin Gym in Hong Kong! Although you would be tempted to go inside the giant bouncy maze, do note that it is limited to young children. However, there’s nothing stopping you from hopping into a bumper car or testing your luck on the coin pushers!

Jumpin Gym USA, 6 Tak Hong Street, Hung Hom | (+852) 2362 3855

This all-American franchise expanded from its Beverly Hills origins to restaurants all throughout the world. California Pizza Kitchen offers a wide range of pasta, pizzas, and side dishes, all at reasonable prices. Must-try dishes include the aromatic roasted garlic chicken pizza ($120), jambalaya linguine ($132), and avocado club egg rolls ($120).

California Pizza Kitchen, Shop 2, 3/F, Gourmet Place (Site 8), The Whampoa, Hung Hom | (+852) 3152 3313

Wing Lai Yuen is a hard one to miss if you are over at Gourmet Place, thanks to its bright red exterior and majestic, imposing-looking doors. This traditional Chinese restaurant is Michelin-recommended and famous for its piquant dan dan noodles. Alongside that, you also can feast on other Sichuanese and Shanghainese delicacies off the menu; the deep-fried crispy pork chop ($78), delectable king shrimps ($128), and braised beef in hot chili sauce ($78) would be sure to please your palate.

Wing Lai Yuen, Shop 102–103 & 105, 1/F, Gourmet Place (Site 8), The Whampoa, Hung Hom | (+852) 2320 6430

Set atop Kerry Hotel, Red Sugar offers an intimate alfresco dining area that boasts an undeniably gorgeous view of the Victoria Harbour. Often overlooked for glitzier neighbouring hotels, there is much to love about Red Sugar and Kerry Hotel, not least its range of cocktails, which are inspired by Hong Kong culture itself. With 11 cocktails and three mocktails to choose from, be sure to try the Monkey Tonic ($128) and Black Forest ($148) with roasted ham & smoked cheese croquettes ($98) on the side.

Red Sugar, 7/F, Kerry Hotel, 38 Hung Luen Road, Hung Hom | (+852) 2252 5281

It’s time to go around the world in eighty minutes (more or less)! Dockyard, famed for its expansive cuisine that ranges from Western to Southeast Asian and Indian, offers something for everyone. One can never go wrong with the spicy tonkotsu ramen ($78), seasoned sweet crispy chicken ($88), or the kimchi stew & rice ($55). Presenting a homely and welcoming feel, with different countries’ flags hanging from the ceiling, you can stretch your muscles after the food coma with a game of pool or darts.

Dockyard, 1/F, Kerry Hotel, 38 Hung Luen Road, Hung Hom | (+852) 2252 5228

Of course, when in Whampoa and Hung Hom, one simply has to experience what it’s like to shop inside a boat (although it all feels quite common once you are inside it, in all honesty). As the largest shopping complex in the area, The Whampoa offers retail opportunities that span from home furnishings, electronics, and fashion to food and beverage and various entertainment outlets. Within it, you will also stumble across an Aeon department store. Originally named Jusco, the department store later changed its name to Aeon to remain consistent with its Japanese parent company. Aeon boasts a large underground supermarket, too.

The Whampoa, Whampoa Garden, Hung Hom

Love all things seafood? Look no further than Nine Seafood Place, which covers about 50,000 square feet of all things oceanic. It offers provision stores on aquatic foods and houses a variety of seafood restaurants to please your taste buds. There are even small exhibitions showcasing Hong Kong’s history as a fishing village and it also pays homage to the lives of fishermen in the olden days. Show up on Fridays to catch a cutting-edge (pun intended) performance of giant bluefin tuna slicing!

Nine Seafood Place, Shops G1–9 & G17–18, Lily Mansions (Site 9), The Whampoa, Hung Hom | (+852) 2121 0606