East is Eden: East Hong Kong

The Deal: We’ve heard tell from our far-flung friends that North Point and Quarry Bay are actually really cool. We ventured into the unknown to see for ourselves…

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Published: 4:00pm, 20 Mar 2014Updated: 4:05pm, 19 Oct 2016

Noon. Drop your gear at East Hong Kong (29 Taikoo Shing Rd., Island East, 3968-3968, www.east-hongkong.com), a design hotel that’s a great base for exploring these unknown parts. The rooms come with tons of techie touches, including LCD TVs hidden behind striking paintings, handy iPod touches and free Wi-Fi. After ogling at your room’s floor-to-ceiling views, make your way to

the MTR next door. Hop off in North Point, where you’ll want to ready yourself for an afternoon of eating.

1pm. Start with The Big Bite (Shop 4B, G/F, 196-202 Java Rd., North Point, 2327-3263), a Canadian burger shack that’s easily one of the best in Hong Kong. Dig into a bacon cheeseburger, poutine, chili dogs, wing and craft beers—all in cool and cozy surrounds.

2.30pm. As you’re walking along Java Road, you’ll notice many Shanghai-style barber’s shops and furniture stores. Dubbed “Little Shanghai” in the 1950s, North Point was home to hundreds of Shanghainese immigrants who fled the Chinese Civil War. Give one of these old guys a chance to show you what old-school grooming is all about.

4pm. For an afternoon snack, find your way to the venerable Lee Keung Kee North Point Egg Waffles (492 King’s Rd., North Point, 2590-9726), which serves up piping hot waffles and egg puffs with your choice of topping—think hazelnut or condensed milk. Look for a long line and walls covered in press clippings.

5pm. Make your way back to the hotel with a stroll along the Quarry Bay Promenade, a quiet route with skyline vistas. Enjoying that fresh air? Apparently Quarry Bay isn’t all office buildings and chain restaurants after all: try out the Quarry Bay Tree Walk, an easy stroll starting at Greig Road that passes a fascinating outdoor cooking site, built to be used as public kitchens during WWII.

8.30pm. Hang around East for dinner, as its rooftop Sugar lounge happens to serve up pizzas, tapas and comfort foods alongside creative cocktails, DJ tunes and a unique wrap-around view. For more traditional eats, head back to North Point and try the famous squid ink noodles at Tung Po (2/F, Java Road Municipal Services Building, 99 Java Rd., North Point, 2880-5224)—but brace for a crowd.

The cost of living: Rooms from $1,600.

Best egg puffs ever

Working hard at Tung Po

Rising in the East