Gallery: Lung Moon Restaurant -- last look at a legend
Lung Moon Restaurant, which has stood on Johnston Road for six decades, recently announced it will be closing its doors by the end of November.
Since the announcement, business at the restaurant has tripled. Little about Lung Moon has changed since it first opened in 1949 and diners craving a taste of nostalgia have been flooding the restaurant day and night.
Having recently sold the building that houses the restaurant for HK$420 million -- the building occupies a prime spot on Wanchai’s main drag -- owner Tse Wai-kin is looking for a new location to re-open Lung Moon Restaurant. The restaurant’s staff and regular customers hope he will be able to recreate the convivial spirit of the original.
“I spend more time here than in my own home,” says Chan Suk-ching, one of Lung Moon’s dim sum chefs. “Even on my day off, I drop by to hang out with everyone and play some mahjong.”
Tse and his brothers took over the restaurant from their father and have strived to preserve the original look. Red lanterns hang above the Chinese characters for 'Lung Moon Restaurant' and the original charcoal oven for making Lung Moon's signature barbecue pork remain.
Patrons pouring in the front doors today reminisce about the old days. Among them are first-timers hoping to witness a slice of Hong Kong dining history before it is razed to the ground. Some even try to take home a souvenir.
“I have to store away our memorabilia because a lot has gone missing recently,” says Tse.
On a recent visit, we took away our own souvenir: this photo essay that documents the retro atmosphere and micro-community of tightly knit staff and customers.
Lung Moon Restaurant’s last supper party will be held on November 30. Diners can reserve a place for HK$300 per person. Reservations are running out fast.
Lung Moon Restaurant
