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Food and Drinks
LifestyleFood & Drink

Milk tea, crispy chicken, her favourite congee: where a hotelier and restaurateur goes to eat in Hong Kong

  • Maria Lee has been working in hotels and hospitality in Hong Kong for decades, and has collected many favourites for dining out along the way
  • From a cha chaan teng she has been going to for 50 years to a Michelin-recommended congee shop, her favourites offer a taste of Cantonese cuisine

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Maria Lee was Hong Kong’s first female hotel general manager in 1987, and also founded The Rosedale Hotel Group. She shares her favourite Hong Kong restaurants. Photo: Maria Lee
Andrew Sun

Businesswoman Maria Lee was Hong Kong’s first female hotel general manager in 1987 (of the Asia Hotel). She then founded The Rosedale Hotel Group and is now developing an elderly living concept in Happy Valley. She spoke to Andrew Sun.

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I like any kind of authentic cuisine prepared in traditional cooking style but with a creative setting.

As a hotelier, I’ve operated and opened different restaurants including Korean and Chinese cuisine. I was quite proud of a healthy Cantonese concept I created around 2000 called Cheena with no pork, no MSG and single serving dim sum.

A location I like is Cheung Hing Coffee Shop (9-11 Yik Yam Street, Happy Valley. Tel: 2572 5097). I’ve been going there for 50 years since I was young. Although the ownership has changed hands, the venue is still memorable. I like the satay beef macaroni, and pineapple bun with a milk tea with less sugar.

A pineapple bun at Cheung Hing Coffee Shop in Happy Valley. Photo: SCMP
A pineapple bun at Cheung Hing Coffee Shop in Happy Valley. Photo: SCMP

Another favourite is the Wan Chai location of Trusty Congee King (various locations including 7 Heard Street, Wan Chai. Tel: 2882 3268). They’ve been listed in the Michelin Guide for 12 consecutive year in the Bib Gourmand category award.

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It is not expensive at all – the traditional food, from the deluxe congee with traditional rice noodle roll, fresh fried Chinese doughnut, the lotus wrapped rice dumpling, they make you want to go back time and again.
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