Hidden Tomato Noodles @ Star Cafe (星座冰室) Tsim Sha Tsui
When in Hong Kong, I avoid touristy places and head for areas that the locals venture to. As with any culture, old establishments with horrible service yet with repeated customers tend to signal "there be good food to be found!"
When my HK friends found out that I was staying somewhere on Kimberly Road, they told me that there is a secret place where locals go to for their fix of tomato gong zai mein. Hmm, interest piqued... Armed with the address, MG, AF and I went to search for the "bing sut" that locals love.
Ok I have to make an explanation Not every small local eatery serving Western-Canto food in HK is a char chaan teng. There is a char chaan teng (茶餐厅) and there is another category called bing sut (冰室). The difference between the 2 is that bing sut traditionally serves only snack food and drinks. No rice dishes are served. Think of it as a "fast food" version of the char chaan teng. However with the increasing need to earn money, some rice dishes are added to the bing sut menu.
I realized that you were to rely purely on the address, you would probably take ages to find this place. It's pretty hard to find especially when you can't believe that it's located in some run down building and down a flight of dim stairs.
You will see these landmarks if you are walking based on the map above.
Once you turn the corner, you will see this.
When you enter Champagne Court B, you will see a surly uncle guard at his station next to lift. The stairs downwards are directly across from him. Otherwise, there is this yellow archway with these words over it "大都酒店" and stairs heading up. Don't take the stairs up to poshness. Take the stairs down to slightly dodgy, grimy downstairs.
Once you reach the bottom of the stairs and turn the corner, you will see Star Cafe! I'm not kidding.This is actually how it looks like.
Ok I have to make an explanation Not every small local eatery serving Western-Canto food in HK is a char chaan teng. There is a char chaan teng (茶餐厅) and there is another category called bing sut (冰室). The difference between the 2 is that bing sut traditionally serves only snack food and drinks. No rice dishes are served. Think of it as a "fast food" version of the char chaan teng. However with the increasing need to earn money, some rice dishes are added to the bing sut menu.
I realized that you were to rely purely on the address, you would probably take ages to find this place. It's pretty hard to find especially when you can't believe that it's located in some run down building and down a flight of dim stairs.
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| Instructions from Tsim Sha Tsui station Exit B2. Cr. Google map |
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| Google Street view |
Once you turn the corner, you will see this.
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| Look for Champagne Court B |
Once you reach the bottom of the stairs and turn the corner, you will see Star Cafe! I'm not kidding.This is actually how it looks like.
As we were there after lunch hour, there were minimal people tucking away at their bowls. The great thing about this place which sets it apart from the other char chaan teng is that real tomatoes are used in the soup instead of processed canned tomato. The egg is whisked into boiling soup that gives it that flotsam sorta feeling. It's thick, gooey and definitely a comfort food in its own right.
Most of the menu is dedicated to various tomato egg noodle variation so you can take a stab at anything. I would say that if you are a first timer, go with the house favourite - tomato beef noodle, add egg "fan keh ngau yuk mien, kaah daan" (蕃茄牛肉麵, 加蛋). Addition of egg sets you back by HKD3. Order a ice lemon tea or "tong ling cha" to make the bing sut experience complete.
Most of the menu is dedicated to various tomato egg noodle variation so you can take a stab at anything. I would say that if you are a first timer, go with the house favourite - tomato beef noodle, add egg "fan keh ngau yuk mien, kaah daan" (蕃茄牛肉麵, 加蛋). Addition of egg sets you back by HKD3. Order a ice lemon tea or "tong ling cha" to make the bing sut experience complete.
Don't expect 5 star treatment or hygiene here. You will be lucky if the waiter didn't nag at you for taking such a long time to decide on your order. Just soak in the 1960's ambiance in a dank alleyway warmed by one of a kind tomato noodles.
Star Cafe (星座冰室)
Address:Shop No. 36, Champagne Court, 16-20 Kimberley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui , Hong Kong[尖沙咀金巴利道16-20號香檳大廈地庫36號舖]
Tel: +852 2721 2908
Opening Hours: 8am-9.30pm
Opening Hours: 8am-9.30pm
Price: $
Getting there: Refer to pictures above
Tip: Champagne Court sells lots of cameras. You can check out the prices.
Getting there: Refer to pictures above
Tip: Champagne Court sells lots of cameras. You can check out the prices.
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