‘Demon chef’ Alvin Leung’s favourite Hong Kong restaurants, including ‘the best Italian’

From a Hong Kong-style cafe to a late-night spot to ‘the best Italian in the city’, chef Alvin Leung shares his go-to places to eat

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Chef Alvin Leung, of Bo Innovation and Cafe Bau, recently appeared in Netflix cooking competition show The Maverick Academy. He shares his favourite places to eat in Hong Kong and overseas. Photo: Alvin Leung

Published: 1:15pm, 4 Dec 2024

Alvin Leung, Hong Kong’s “demon chef” and founder of Bo Innovation and Cafe Bau, recently starred in a new Netflix cooking competition series called The Maverick Academy. He spoke to Andrew Sun.

My mum was a horrible cook so I ate a lot of instant noodles. I started to cook for myself as a teenager. I made spaghetti Bolognese with Campbell’s soup and added curry powder.

Now I am a creature of habit. Given the choice, I would opt for simple soups. Also, as a diabetic, I have to watch my diet.

I’m hyperactive and impatient so I like anywhere I can get my food quick. There’s a congee place called Sun Kau Kee (9 Tai Wong Tung Street, Wan Chai. Tel: 2865 2827) I go to around the corner from my Wan Chai restaurant [Cafe Bau]. I usually get the preserved century egg and salted pork congee.

A pizza from Sophia Loren Pizzeria. Photo: Instagram/@sophialorenhongkong

I worked with chef Yong Se-dong previously, and I like the new pizzas he’s making for Liberty Exchange (Block 2, The Forum, 8 Connaught Road Central. Tel: 2819 8400). He’s trying new things and doing collaborations with interesting people.

For steak, I sometimes go to Associazione Chianti (Shop 2, Po Chi Court, 15 Ship Street, Wan Chai. Tel: 3619 3360). It’s convenient for me. Also, Sophia Loren Pizzeria (The Heritage Woo Cheong Pawn Shop, 60-66 Johnston Road, Wan Chai. Tel: 3594 6192) for Italian is actually not bad. Go for lunch, it’s good value.