‘If you have never set foot in Mong Kok, have you ever even been to Hong Kong’ would be a perfectly accurate statement. Mong Kok, translated as ‘the bustling corner’ in Cantonese, is the busiest and most crowded district in Hong Kong and in the world. With an average of 130 thousand people per square kilometre, Mong Kok is known for its packed crisscrossing buildings, bright neon signs and the integration of cultures. The ‘cyberpunk’ aesthetic and its genre of post-apocalyptic films have certainly taken inspirations from this vibrant district. It is a breeding ground for local sub-cultures with plentiful hidden gems of indie shops and cafes. Yet, you can find skyscrapers of new office buildings and gritty buildings right next to each other on the same street. It is a place of progressiveness and history. The merging of cultures has solidified this district as the hub for everyone. Here is your guide to one of Hong Kong’s most unique districts.
For the Foodies
Mong Kok is the place to be if you are after the Hong Kong delicacy of street foods. Walk along Fa Yuen Street and Dundas Street at the weekend and you will find queues at the dozens of food vendors. Emerge yourself into the full ‘sou gai’ (掃街) experience with skewers of curry fish balls, stinky tofu and siu mai. If you are feeling particularly adventurous, surprise your tastebuds with grilled squid tentacles, fried pig intestines and beef offals stew. It may not be sensible to not offer an alternative to walking and snacking along the crammed streets during Hong Kong’s summer heat and rain, your next best bet would be Argyle Centre. Head to the Food Square on the first and second floor and you can spot vendors serving up takoyaki, handrolls, crepes and Taiwanese beverages. Here are some of the street foods you have to try out!
Zeppelin Hot dog
Shop 6, G/F, 55 Dundas Street Mong Kok
Shop SB03, 2/F, Argyle Centre Phase 1, 688 Nathan Road Mong Kok
Shop 6, G/F, 55 Dundas Street Mong Kok
Shop SB03, 2/F, Argyle Centre Phase 1, 688 Nathan Road Mong Kok
Mammy Pancake
Shop G23, Young City Zone, 1 Kwong Wa Street Mong Kok
Shop G23, Young City Zone, 1 Kwong Wa Street Mong Kok
Wei Wei Siu Sik
Shop B, 43 Dundas Street Mong Kok
Shop B, 43 Dundas Street Mong Kok
For the Hipsters
It is not easy to be a hipster in Hong Kong. The obvious choice would be Sheung Wan where prices can get a bit exorbitant at shops and cafes. With Sham Shui Po being revitalized by young creatives, some of them also bring along artsy cafes and independent niche stores to the nearby Mong Kok. You can find a lot of cafes hidden in the antiquated buildings, perfect for get-togethers with friends while grabbing some charcoal lattes. Loyi Faateng is one of our favourites with its charming 50s Hong Kong decor and their fusion infused cafe menu. Definitely try their chocolate lava cake, you won’t be disappointed!
The countless indie stores can also be found on random floors of old commercial buildings selling knick-knacks, vintage clothing, vinyl records, books, you name it. It can be quite a treasure hunt. One of the buildings you can check out is located at 66 Sai Yeung Choi Street South. Some must-visit places include Showa, a film camera shop on the third floor, Hong Kong Reader, an indie bookstore on the seventh and Rubbish B, a vintage and antique shop on the eighth.
Mong Kok is also one of the most photogenic neighbourhoods in the world from its maze of old and new buildings and the splashes of graffiti to the beaming neon lights and flamboyant billboards at night. Street photography around the neighbourhood can be a fun experience. The revitalised Grade 2 Historical 618 Shanghai Street buildings (tong laus) are a good spot for some artsy film photography. While you’re there, do a quick shopping at the indie stores or join a ceramic workshop at the Useless Studio.
Rubbish B
8/F, 66 Sai Yeung Choi Street South, Mong Kok
8/F, 66 Sai Yeung Choi Street South, Mong Kok
Loyi Faateng
2/F, 80-82 Shan Tung Street, Mong Kok
2/F, 80-82 Shan Tung Street, Mong Kok
Useless Studio
Shop 105, 618, 1F Shanghai St, Mong Kok
Shop 105, 618, 1F Shanghai St, Mong Kok
For the Otakus and Geeks
Akihabara, Tokyo is known as the centre for Japanese popular culture and the place to go for all your otaku needs. (Otaku refers to people who geek out over anime, video games and mangas.) In Hong Kong, Mong Kok, particularly Sino Centre is where pop culture lovers, collectors and gamers should be. Despite being just a three-story mall, you can easily get overwhelmed with every shop window display filled with magazines, mangas, comics, toys and figurines. If you want the full Akihabara experience, head up to the maid cafes and be welcomed with waitresses in cosplay maid outfits. Mong Kok is the gateway to a taste of Japan when travelling there has been out of the question.
Sino Centre
582-592 Nathan Road, Mong Kok
582-592 Nathan Road, Mong Kok
For the Pet Lovers
The section of Tung Choi Street encompassed by Nullah Road and Mok Kok Road is known as Goldfish Street. With almost 50 stores filled with pet fishes of all types from your standard goldfish to tropical, oriental fishes, it is not only the starting ground for those who like to keep a fish as a pet but also a free aquarium for all. There is also a cluster of pet shops along the street. It is definitely the hotspot to stock up on your pet supplies. Of course, we encourage everyone to adopt over buying a pet. But it can also be fun looking at cats and dogs, rabbits and even small reptiles while you are there. If you just can’t get enough of the adorable little animals, head to the many cat and dog cafes located in Mong Kok. And for fellow pet owners, there are also a handful of pet-friendly cafes and restaurants throughout the neighbourhood you can bring your furry friends to.
URBAN Cafe
2/F, Kiu Kin Mansion, 566-568A Nathan Road, Mong Kok
2/F, Kiu Kin Mansion, 566-568A Nathan Road, Mong Kok
Goldfish Street
A section of Tung Choi Street, north of Bute Street
A section of Tung Choi Street, north of Bute Street
For Families
The 15-storey Langham Place is the best spot for families to spend a day in Mong Kok. The over a dozen floors are filled with stores and restaurants for all your needs. Kids would surely enjoy the Lego store located on the top floor and the Namco arcade. The biggest mall in Mong Kok also houses a cinema. Besides the dozens of restaurants, the food court offers different cuisines from dim sum to Japanese ramen and trendy Korean meals. Along with its easy accessibility from the Mong Kok MTR station, Langham Place makes a perfect location to spend a day with your family.
Langham Place
638 Shanghai St, Mong Kok
638 Shanghai St, Mong Kok
For Freelancers, Remote Workers and Students
At first glance, you wouldn’t categorize Mong Kok as a business district. But within its hustle and bustle, you will be surprised by the several co-working spaces there. They provide a quiet and zen environment for studying and working, a 180 change of scenery from the usual crowds and chaos of the neighbourhood. One of these co-working spaces is Desk One. What we love about the space is its cafe-like ambience with a reading lounge, individual cubicles, private rooms and a common lounge area while being fully equipped with locker service, free snacks and beverages, electronic rentals and printing services. Not to mention the incredible view overlooking the whole Mong Kok area. It is the best place to focus on work and study when you love the urbanness and easy accessibility of Mong Kok while still craving tranquillity. You can book a desk, meeting or multifunctional room at any of the coworking spaces now through BOOQED. Download the app on Android and iOS and enjoy your trip in the most multifaceted district in Hong Kong.
Desk One
23/F Chung Kiu Commercial Building, Shantung Street, Mong Kok
23/F Chung Kiu Commercial Building, Shantung Street, Mong Kok
