Last weekend, I wanted to share a meal with some good friends before departing Hong Kong to return to Beijing. We had an early flight, and our favorite dim sum spots did not open until 11. My friend, Souhon, suggested Luk Yu, one of the older and better known tea houses in the city. “The food is not as good as the others’, but at least it opens early,” she explained. I was secretly pleased at her suggestion. I had walked by this lovely little restaurant, whose door was framed by two large wooden pillars, hundreds of times but had yet to cross the threshold for a meal.
Luk Yu opened in Hong Kong in 1933 and was well known as both a writers’ haunt and a place where Hong Kong’s well established dined. In 2002, it gained notoriety when businessman Harry Lam Hon-lit was shot dead while eating there. His murder was attributed the local triads (Hong Kong’s mafia).
Souhon called the restaurant to make a reservation and was a bit put off when the maitre d’ asked, “What time and who are you?” He then explained that only preferred guests were allowed to sit in the charming, first floor dining room. When she established her identity as one of six million Hong Kong residents, he told her that we would be welcome to sit in the second floor dining hall. She accepted, given the lack of other convenient choices.
While the food was mediocre, the second floor did offer a lovely, simple setting and ambiance. And of course, in the company of good friends, all restaurants are charming.
Luk Yu Tea House
No. 24 Stanley Street
Central
Hong Kong
Tel. +852 25235464