Brian Kennett
Amateur Chef and Boozy Traveling Foodie Extraordinaire
Welcome to Woo Cheong Tea House Restaurant Hong Kong, where dim sum dreams come true! Nestled in the heart of this bustling city, Woo Cheong Tea House replaced the iconic Pawn. As you enter, you’re greeted with the delightful aroma of freshly steamed dumplings and the sound of chitter chat echoing through the air, setting the tone for a great dining experience.
Woo Cheong Tea House takes its dim sum seriously. With a menu bursting with traditional favorites and inventive twists, every bite is a culinary masterpiece that leaves you craving more and more and more. And while the food is undoubtedly delicious, it’s the atmosphere that truly sets this restaurant apart, with a décor that pays homage to Hong Kong’s vibrant culture, dining at Woo Cheong Tea House is not just a meal.
So come hungry, leave with a smile, and prepare to be charmed by the magic of Woo Cheong Tea House Restaurant Hong Kong!
The Pawn in Hong Kong is Iconic
Welcome to The Pawn Restaurant Hong Kong, where history meets hilarity in a delightful dining experience! Housed in a historic building that once served as a pawn shop, this restaurant seamlessly blends the old with the new, offering a quirky ambience that sets the stage for a memorable meal.
As you step through the doors, you can’t help but marvel at the eclectic décor, with vintage artefacts mingling with modern touches in a whimsical display of Hong Kong’s past and present: including that iconic balcony.
But it’s not just the décor that’s a hit at The Pawn; the food is equally impressive and guaranteed to wow you and all your senses. From traditional Cantonese delights to inventive fusion creations, there’s something to satisfy every craving.
And let’s not forget the staff—friendly, knowledgeable, and always ready with a joke or two to keep your spirits high. So buckle up and get ready for some umami and a half like no other at The Pawn Restaurant Hong Kong. Who knew pawn shops could be this much fun?
Also, PLEASE let me just apologise for the SH!T photos. I am so sorry to you, the reader, but equally to Path!!!
Pawn Hong Kong Interior
It seems mixed feelings re this joint from all the reviews you can read. I disagree, but maybe as I only snacked???
I happened to be working for a few days in Hong Kong.
One of those nights I had the great fortune to meet up with my mate Mark Gatenby and then a little later Steve Clark. Where did we meet? We met at The Pawn, 62 Johnston Road, Hong Kong.
- The Pawn Hong Kong Telephone Number: +852 2866 3444
- The Pawn Hong Kong eMail: info@thepawn.com.hk
On the first statement of the name though I bet you are all thinking, wow that sounds seedy. Don’t think I’ll be going there. Well actually you are wrong, read the spelling. Yep, it used to be a pawn shop, not porn. This is the second iteration, now taken over by a new consortium and fronted by a Brit Chef, Tom Aikens.
Some serious big flavours is going on in this food. I established some great fusion ideas – check the artwork on the menus and for the logo – Japanese cherry blossom no less, perhaps why I felt so at home – Asian fusion, from a Brit who likes Japan. Sound familiar???
Now again I will caveat I only went to the bar and snacked, we did not visit the restaurant. Again I will also caveat, that social media is an amazing thing. You read some average reviews from individuals and then see on Pawn’s Facebook that Lifestyle Asia Magazine voted them No1, and caused them to be booked an entire month upon re-opening. Go figure.
So from me, there is no commentary on others’ views, just a representation of my experience. And I have to say my experience of this place was top drawer from decor, to the ambience, and the food.
Now I’ll give another example of why I think this place was amazing on the food front.
I had 3 of the beef tartare on my own. Mark had one. We ordered two more for others that arrived. We then ordered another 2 or so of the Scotch eggs. Mr Aikens your food went viral this night my friend. And I mean that in such a positive way. You took a bite, you wanted more, you took a bite, you shared a bite, and in turn that person wanted more. Great place and great food, sat 1st floor on old shop house balcony style. Nice!!!
Apologies for photo quality – iPhone only this evening as on a work trip. But hopefully you will get the idea.
Now I was just at the bar ordering from his snacks menu – could you see where my eyes got drawn too.
Pawn Hong Kong Menu
This is just the bar snack menu. When I saw this, I was very very excited. Sorry Mark I could not wait for you before I started eating mate.
Is that beef tartare?
Is that puffed pork scratching?
Is that Mini Scotch egg, Guinness mustard and Worcestershire sauce?
Best I have all them then please love. Damn no pork, OK let’s go onion rings.
Starting with the latter. OK, not too bad. Nothing really stood out for me about the onion rings. I didn’t really get the expected kick of paprika etc. Don’t get me wrong they were nice, nothing monumental.
Then comes the mini Scotch eggs. Holy Cow.
Oh boy these were good good good. A Guinness mustard dip, for these little Quail egg Scotch eggs. I think Worcestershire sauce was in the meat as that was quite tangy, perfectly crisp on the outside, moist on the inside and then dip dip dip – BOOM. Truly wonderful. I would go back there for these!!! My picture does not do the food justice believe me.
My favourite. I had three of these, I truly could not stop eating it. AMAZINGLY good. The ingredients sound a little whacky together, but man they should all board a flight now to Las Vegas and get married quickly. They are just so great together. I will fly to Hong Kong just for this dish. You have to try it if you are there.
Raw beef of course, but tender like butter. Then add to this Juniper, pickled Shitake mushrooms and then coriander mayonnaise. BOOM!!! Incredible. I love you!!! Again many apologies for the photo quality – I think my hands were shaking ha ha!!!
My Conclusions of Pawn Hong Kong
So to close – all I would say is sometimes don’t believe the hype. Still, go and have a go at a restaurant – don’t forget, reviews are from one individual then, and it’s their palate, not yours!!!
As I said – I would fly back to HK to eat these again. Without missing a heartbeat. I thought it was a truly great experience, and so did some 20 colleagues who came and joined us later in the evening – all of whom had a plate of each of the above.
Nicely done – The Pawn.
