Gang Trashes Historic Mido Café
Four men trashed one of Hong Kong’s most historic cha chaan tengs yesterday morning. Mido Café, in Yau Ma Tei, has been serving its signature milk tea, French toast and baked pork chop rice for 63 years.
Wong Shing-fan, 65-year-old owner of the café, was preparing to open for the day when four thugs entered the cafe. “They overturned some tables and then picked up chairs and struck other tables before throwing the chairs around," a police officer told the SCMP. "They also smashed a glass door before running out of the restaurant. The restaurant owner was not hurt."
Eight other men, who wore face masks, stood guard outside the door. Wong stayed out of the way and alerted the police after three taxis picked up the 12 men and they escaped.
Wong told the police she did not owe anyone money and had no dispute with anyone. She also said she only operates the café these days to “pass the time.”
“I open daily from 10am to 9pm… what do they want from me?” she asked.
Mido Café has been a backdrop in many movies and TV series, including 1960’s “The World of Suzie Wong” and the 1999 film “Moonlight Express,” starring Leslie Cheung. The cafe’s decor hasn’t changed since the 1950s. Notable features include its signature tiled floors, bench seating, vintage cash register and the neon sign outside the cafe.
According to Ming Pao, several residents from the neighborhood witnessed the event, but they thought a film was shooting a scene at the cafe and did not try to help—only realizing the incident was “real” once the police arrived.
Police are searching for the 12 men, and arrested a 33-year-old man with triad links last night. The man had punched a waiter at the Café 10 days ago.
Mido Café remains open as usual from 10am-9pm, G/F, 63 Temple St., Yau Ma Tei, 2384-6402.
