A quiet street became a hive of activity yesterday as diners flocked from far and wide to savour one last taste of fish balls dubbed Aberdeen's best.
Since news broke that Shan Loon Tse Kee fish ball restaurant is to close next month, large queues have formed at the tiny street-side shop, also noted for delicacies such as fried fish skin and fish cakes.
The 65-year-old restaurant's owners said they had been forced to close it because the top-quality ingredients they needed were no longer available at a reasonable price. Inflation has also made it harder to recruit staff. But they have not ruled out reopening if conditions improve.
One of the shopkeepers was reluctant to comment on its closure. 'Is it such a big deal?' said Rainbow Tse as she watched from behind the cashier's desk while press photographers vied with diners for space. Tse, who married into the family that started the restaurant in the 1940s, said she was thrilled by the extra business but less interested in publicity. 'I just want to finish my job now.'
The frenzy built after actor and singer Eason Chan Yik-shun, a frequent customer, told his followers on the Sina Weibo microblog website the restaurant was to close.
But for hungry diners waiting up to an hour for a seat, it was not just about the food. It was about the memories. 'I read in the newspaper that it is only open until next month so I wanted to come here and eat,' Constance Wong, a housewife, said. 'When I was very young, my mum and dad used to bring me here.'