Two worlds collide in the streets of Old Town Central. A famous hub for arts, culture, cuisine and heritage, Old Town Central has always been a favorite amongst locals and tourists alike. It is considered a microcosm of the entire city with juxtapositions of Hong Kong’s quintessential contrasting attributes: past and present, East and West, the vintage and the modern.
Josie Ho, renowned Hong Kong actress and singer, knows her way around the Fragrant Harbour. In Season 4 of A Taste of Hong Kong, she brings fashionista Kryz Uy (Philippines) and social media influencer Daphne Charice (Malaysia) on a delightful 24-hour experience in one of the city’s oldest yet most colorful neighborhoods.
Smoothest, Silkiest Tea at Lan Fong Yuen
In the heart of Old Town Central, you will find Lan Fong Yuen, a popular and must-visit cha chaan teng (or “tea restaurant”). Pantyhose milk tea and pork chop noodles are their menu staples—just about everyone goes crazy over them.
Josie takes Kryz and Daphne to Lan Fong Yuen for breakfast, introducing Yuen Yeung to them as a traditional breakfast beverage in Hong Kong. Yuen Yeung is concocted with coffee and Hong Kong-style milk tea that is strained to perfection using pantyhose.
PMQ
After a long nostalgic ride on Hong Kong’s longest escalator, the girls head to PMQ (formerly “Police Married Quarters”), a treasure trove of local design and style. Despite the modern facades of the buildings, you will find vintage clothing and trinkets that reflect Hong Kong’s admiration for both the old and the new.
Cecilia Ma Couture
Josie and the girls meet up with designer Cecilia Ma in her own Old Town Central studio. Cecilia is a globally recognized fashion talent who is known for her hand-painted quirky acrylic clutch bags and contemporary designs. Cecilia Ma Couture launched its first ready-to-wear collection in Paris in 2011 and, since then, the brand has cemented a name for itself in the high fashion industry.
Treasure Hunting at Old Town Central
Upper Lascar Row
Upper Lascar Row, also known as Cat Street, is a wonderland for the lovers of vintage crafts and furniture. Older generations and the youth flock to this area of Old Town Central to look for rustic steals and eccentric home décor. Josie, Kryz, and Daphne paid Hipster 9 and Select 18 a visit for vintage accessories and pieces to wear for the evening.
Tai Ping Shan Street
Tai Ping Shan Street is home to a vibrant community of local businesses. One standout creative business is Tallensia Floral Art, a florist with enchanting arrangements and bouquets. Lowdi Kwan, the passionate owner of Tallensia, believes that every customer must get the chance to create their own bouquet the way they like it, promoting artistry within the local community.
Yan Shang Kee
A Qi Pao rental called Yan Shang Kee caught the eyes of the ladies. Through their business, owner Ding Yung is determined to make the classic Qi Pao wearable for the common citizen once more.
The City Never Sleeps
65 Peel
Get ready for a picturesque scene straight out of a magazine at 65 Peel. The interior is modern and hip with a touch of the old-fashioned look of a Wong Kar-Wai film—it’s no surprise that Eunice Lim, Singaporean photographer who have since called Hong Kong home, chose the bar as the venue for their shoot. If you feel like enjoying local craft beer with friends in a fun yet laid-back atmosphere, 65 Peel is the place to be.
The Pontiac
To end their busy day, Josie and the girls visited the all-female bartenders at The Pontiac. Inspired by the pubs in Brooklyn and San Francisco, The Pontiac has a rock’n’roll vibe that is perfect for the modish and carefree. Josie, Kryz, and Daphne let their hair down after a productive day, singing and dancing the night away.
‘A Taste of Hong Kong’ premieres 14th August 2017 on TLC.
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