An interesting building at Shantung Street and Nathan Road, Mongkok [????- ] | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

An interesting building at Shantung Street and Nathan Road, Mongkok [????- ]

Hi there,

This one is interesting.  This location used to be the Lung Fung (The Dragon & the Phoenix) Restanrant (龍鳳大酒樓), which was visible in some of the Ritz Theatre photos posted last year.  I do not have proof, but I have an impression that after the restaurant folded the house was remodelled into the current building now:

If you look closer, the height of the building fits.  This house does not have pillars, however.  At least is is older than I am.  It was there before I was born in the early sixties.  All comments and information are welcomed.

Best Regards,

T

Photos that show this place

1960

Comments

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I never dined there but one day I explored the restaurant while looking for my friend.  It was like walking into a maze.  The dining area spread out over four levels although the top floor had fewer tables.  The stair cases were in the middle making my search more challenging.  There were tables of different sizes to fit every available odd space.  Servers carried out dim-sums on a large platter which rests against the tummy and suspended from the neck with straps.  The use of push-carts came later.

...with the Lung Moon restaurant in Wanchai? Obviously the names are similar, but the buildings looked a very similar design too. I wondered if they had the same owner?

Yeah, I remember those old dim sum days as a kid. You had to literally fight with the other patrons to get a table. The first come first serve number system you see today did not exist back then.

Hi there,

Not necessary fighting for a table.  But most likely you would have a small group of people standing behind you waiting to sit onto your wamned seat when you prepare to leave.

Best Regards,

T

as a child what struck me most about these places was the deafening level of noise - canto style; queuing for a table;  old men with their caged birds; a rather fascinating sphere shaped utilitarian object placed on the floors (later identified as a spittoon), imagine having to clean that! - funnily enough, no recollections of eating the food

Yes and not to mention the empty dim sum bamboo baskets piling up to the ceiling. I always wonder how the not so smart looking waiter could figure out accurately the amount you owed in his head when you asked for the bill. Customer service and table manner? Never heard of it. Dirt cheap piping hot dim sum? Always. Ah...great childhood memories.