Street Talk:
What it’s like living in Tseung Kwan O
The Specifies
Where do you live?
Tseung Kwan O.
How long have you been here?
Four and a half years.
Why this suburb?
We moved to the area because we were looking for a family-friendly area when I was pregnant with my eldest. We wanted the area to be reachable by MTR, with clean and spacious local parks, and good kindergartens and schools. We were also looking for an apartment with great facilities such as a gym and a swimming pool. Tseung Kwan O definitely offers plenty of choices in this area.
What transport is available in your suburb?
MTR, buses, taxis.
What’s the closest store to your front door?
The MTR station is the first thing we see, but the closest store is a bubble tea shop – certainly not great for my waistline!
The Scene
What’s the unofficial uniform of your suburb?
Everyone seems to be sporting one or two items of workout clothes as part of Tseung Kwan O’s daily uniform. The fact that most of us have zero plans to actually work out in those workout clothes is irrelevant! You will also not be out of place if you have a small pet as an accessory to your outfit, instead of a handbag.
If a celebrity were to move into the neighbourhood, who might it be?
I would love it if Amy Schumer moved in! – someone who has young kids, lives in leggings and would be a hoot to have coffee with in one of the riverfront cafés.
Where do you turn when you’re in need of a dose of culture?
I check out the gallery at the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI). The space constantly presents a series of exhibitions by local and international artists.
What’s a mandatory stop for taking out-of-town guests?
The Tseung Kwan O Waterfront Park. The area is fantastic for a stroll, jog or bike ride. There’s also alfresco dining with water views at the various quality cafés and restaurants. A visit also wouldn’t be complete without a quick peek at the Japanese supermarket, Don Don Donki.
For nature lovers, there’s a gorgeous waterfall just steps away from the Po Lam MTR station. The Little Hawaii trail is a short, family-friendly walk on concrete paths that takes you to breathtaking, cascading falls.
What’s a common myth about your area?
That it’s so far away! Tseung Kwan O might be part of the New Territories, but HK Island is easily accessible by MTR; in fact, it’s only three stops from Quarry Bay on the purple line.
If something in your neighbourhood were to wake you at night, what would it be?
Your kids having a nightmare, your husband snoring or your dog barking. Honestly, outside of your apartment it will most likely be quiet and peaceful.
What would a late-night rager in your suburb involve?
We’d start the night with sunset cocktails at rooftop bar Cielo, at the Crowne Plaza Kowloon. Next, we’d enjoy some lip-smackingly delicious Spanish tapas at Pastis Tapas, accompanied by a jug (or a few!) of sangria. And we’d end the night with a live band or live belly dancing performance at Sea Rock, a vibrant Middle Eastern restaurant at Tseung Kwan O Waterfront Park.
The Superlatives Your hands-down favourite neighbourhood joint is:
Sea Rock. It’s a restaurant that serves Middle Eastern and European cuisines. I really like ordering and sharing a few of their deliciously rich dips with warm pitas. Before the pandemic, you could also catch a late-night performance of live belly dancing.
You won’t find better local food than:
A cha chaan teng called “” inside the Choi Ming Shopping Centre. Their freshly baked pineapple bun with butter is legendary.
The strangest thing you’ve seen in your neighbourhood is:
A person walking their pet tortoise at the Hong Kong Velodrome park.
The best bargain in the neighbourhood is:
A tasty meal for under $60 from a Thai food stall inside the Choi Ming Wet Market.
The guiltiest local pleasure is:
The delicious tiramisu at The Pizza Pig and, on a hot day, salted caramel and peanut ice cream at District 8.
One thing you’d never change is:
How this area is becoming such an ethnically diverse community. There’s a great combination of locals and expat families living here. It’s extremely fulfilling to explore and appreciate other cultures found throughout the neighbourhood – from the authentic ethnic restaurants in the area, to being invited to different cultural celebrations throughout the year. I feel very fortunate that my kids and I live in a “melting pot” and get the opportunity to become acquainted with these different cultural aspects.
If the city gave you HK$5M to soup up your area, you would:
Create free family-friendly events in the neighbourhood throughout the year that celebrate the different cultural holidays. The festivals would showcase the beauty of the different regions through food, crafts, kid-friendly activities, a market selling relevant items and, of course, a performance of dance and music with an open dance floor.