Off the Beaten Track: A Taste of Cheung Chau

Hong Kong — A walk on one of Hong Kong’s outlying islands is only a short ferry trip from the hustle and bustle of downtown. Our reporter takes time out to explore Cheung Chau’s local food and attractive beach.

Cheung Chau, the dumbell-shaped island in Hong Kong’s western waters is reached from Central Pier 5: the fast ferry journey takes half an hour; the journey on the more infrequent slow ferries is a leisurely 50 minutes.

First Treat: Hello Kitty Waffles

Topped with cream, honey and sugar, the snack is an ideal accompaniment to an afternoon cup of tea.
in the afternoon.

The waffles are served by the Lovely Island Restaurant located close to the ferry pier.

Cheong’s Fish Balls

Cheong's Fishballs. Since 1959.

Cheong’s Fish ball is just along the waterfront from the Lovely Island Restaurant. It specialises, as its name suggests, in fish balls. The deli, which has been in operation for more than a half-century, since 1959, charges $23 for a set meal of fish- and cuttlefish balls. They are also available with rice noodles.

Sun Chiu Kee: Traditional Dim Sum

Peace Buns: unique to Cheung Chau

Dim sum shop Sun Chiu Kee located in Tung Wan Road is famous for its various home-made Chinese traditional cakes, specifically red bean cake, purple rice cake, sesame cake and the most noted pastry in Cheung Chau – “the peace bun” (pictured).

These buns are the centre-piece of the annual Bun Festival which celebrates the island’s deliverance from a plague in the 19th century. when many people participate in a scramble up towers of buns. Who ever collects the most, wins. This year the carnival will take place between April 23 and May 11.

Sushi Rolls and Red Bean Buns. Simple but tasty.

Hometown Teahouse

Also located in Tung Wan Road, is owned by a Japanese woman Takahiko–san and her husband. The shop is little more than a counter with an open window through which the couple serve a variety of sushi rolls and red bean buns. Simple but tasty.

Tung Wan Beach

Just a short stroll across the narrow width of the island is Tung Wan Beach. Rarely crowded during the week, it is a popular spot for windsurfing.

Hong Kong’s windsurfing Olympic Gold-medialist, Lee Lai-shan hails from Cheung Chau. Her uncle and aunt still run a windsurfing centre there.