Your neighbourhood guide to Sai Wan Ho
Far from being yet another banal residential area, this underrated Eastern District neighbourhood will surprise you with excellent local delicacies and harbour viewsLocated on the northeastern shore of Hong Kong Island, Sai Wan Ho is a primarily residential area flanked by Quarry Bay and Shau Kei Wan. It offers a plethora of hidden delights to explore, with a bustling street food scene and a film archive celebrating Hong Kong’s rich cinematic heritage.
Read more: Your neighbourhood guide to Quarry Bay
How to get there
From Central, take the MTR Island Line to Sai Wan Ho Station. You can also take bus 720, 722 or A12. Alternatively, enjoy a slow and leisurely ride on the eastbound tram.
Things to do
Sai Wan Ho Harbour Park
After a meal at one of the many restaurants in Soho East, take a stroll along Sai Wan Ho Harbour Park. Part of Quarry Bay Promenade, the park stretches from North Point all the way to Shau Kei Wan. It offers panoramic sea views and is especially popular with joggers and pet owners.
Hong Kong Film Archive
Standing at five storeys with a net floor area of 7,200 square metres, the Hong Kong Film Archive is dedicated to preserving old works and used for screening, exhibition, offices and other public functions. It has an impressive collection of local films, books, magazines and audio materials that can be viewed in the archive itself or borrowed to enjoy at home.
Hong Kong Film Archive, 50 Lei King Road, Sai Wan Ho, 2739 2139
Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery
The fireboat Alexander Grantham went into service in 1953, serving as the flagship of the Hong Kong Fire Services Department’s fireboat team. After nearly 50 years of conducting rescue operations, it was decommissioned in 2002 and refitted into a gallery in 2007. Today, it showcases firefighting artefacts and offers multimedia information on marine rescue work in Hong Kong.
Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery, Phase 1, Quarry Bay Park, Quarry Bay, 2367 7821
Read more: Best museums in Hong Kong
Sai Wan Ho Ferry Pier
You’ve sailed across Victoria Harbour from Central Pier plenty of times, but have you sailed from Sai Wan Ho before? Operated by Coral Sea Ferry, the pier has three ferry services to Kwun Tong, Sam Ka Tsuen and Tung Lung Chau. Hop on for an alternative way to travel across the city.
Sai Wan Ho Ferry Pier, 46 Tai Hong Street, Sai Wan Ho, 2368 8885
Read more: 5 alternative ideas to explore Hong Kong this summer
Gitone
Gitone is an art and ceramics gallery by day and a Shanghainese private kitchen by night. Gather your friends and sign up for a painting class or ceramics workshop, followed by a 12 to 14-course meal to end the day. Reservations are absolutely necessary to enjoy the full experience as the gallery gets crowded on weekends.
Gitone, GB27-28, Lei King Wan, 45 Tai Hong Street, Sai Wan Ho, 2527 3448
Restaurants
Soho East
Soho East is exactly as its name suggests – Soho, but on the eastern end of Hong Kong Island. It consists of a handful of classy waterfront restaurants, bars and cafés, all of which offer outdoor seating and welcome pets. From western delights at The Salted Pig to Thai delicacies at Mint & Basil, there’s a restaurant to suit every taste in this tight-knitted hub.
Soho East, Waterfront, Lei King Wan, Tai Hong Street, Sai Wan Ho
Tai On Building
In contrast to Soho East, Tai On Building is a cramped, chaotic building that houses multiple street food stalls. But don’t let that put you off – the 1960s-style residential block has long been a favourite amongst Hong Kongers for authentic local delicacies such as fish balls, siu mai, egg waffles and more. It may prove a little difficult to navigate for newbies, so we’ve rounded up some of the best food stalls inside the building below.
Tai On Building, 57-87 Shau Kei Wan Road, Sai Wan Ho
Lam Kee Cart Noodles
Cart noodles can placate even the pickiest of eaters, with its ability to be mix and matched to your liking. At Lam Kee Cart Noodles, you’ll often find a long queue of hungry customers waiting to make and collect their orders. DIY your meal by picking a noodle type, choosing a soup base and selecting your favourite toppings from more than twenty options.
Lam Kee Cart Noodles, Shop A12, G/F, Tai On Building, 57-87 Shau Kei Wan Road, Sai Wan Ho, 2535 8829
Zeppelin Hot Dog Shop
Though relatively new, Zeppelin Hot Dog Shop has already become a staple in Tai On Building. The takeaway stall is known for its innovative hot dogs sandwiched between hot, crispy buns straight out of the oven. If you’re an adventurous eater, try the onion ring hot dog, made of fried onion rings encircling a fried Frankfurter sausage, then topped with a homemade special barbecue sauce and cheese powder.
Zeppelin Hot Dog Shop, Shop A55A, G/F, Tai On Building, 57-87 Shau Kei Wan Road, Sai Wan Ho, 5744 2929
Wo’s Restaurant
For the quintessential cha chaan teng meal, head over to Wo’s Restaurant. The original restaurant was founded in the 1980s and is now run by a second-generation owner. With two locations in Hong Kong, Wo’s Restaurant is a tried and tested establishment for local classics such as ham macaroni, spam and egg sandwich and Hong Kong-style French toast.
Wo’s Restaurant, Shop 7, G/F, Hung Yan Building, 38 Holy Cross Path, Sai Wan Ho, 2567 6338
C’s Bakery
If you enjoy café hopping, then a visit to C’s Bakery is a must. The café’s minimalist, light blue interiors make it a great place to take some artsy shots for your ‘Gram. But it’s not just about appearances – C’s Bakery also serves up a mouthwatering all-day menu featuring the likes of artisan bread with scrambled eggs, croissant with smoked salmon and black truffle pasta.
C’s Bakery, Shop A1, G/F, On Yip Building, 100 Sai Wan Ho Street, Sai Wan Ho, 2949 9999
Read more: Best minimalist cafés in Hong Kong
Ming Kee Dessert
Treat yourself to a sweet treat from Ming Kee Dessert. Since its opening ten years ago, the dessert shop has created a name for itself, attracting hoards of hungry diners after dinner hours. If it’s your first time trying Hong Kong-style desserts, we recommend Ming Kee’s refreshing mango sago with glutinous rice balls. Otherwise, opt for the papaya and snow fungus sweet soup or black sesame sweet soup.
Ming Kee Dessert, 114 Sai Wan Ho Street, Sai Wan Ho, 2560 1150
Feature image courtesy of @xiaxue_snow11
