Jordan & Yau Ma Tei
Yau Ma Tei
Yau Ma Tei (油麻地) is the district next to Mong Kok — quieter, older, more authentic. Here lies the Tin Hau Temple (the oldest preserved temple in Kowloon, dedicated to the sea goddess), the Jade Market (stalls with jade jewelry and figures, 10–300 HKD — difficult to assess without expertise, but beautiful to look at) and the quieter sections of the Temple Street Night Market.
Jordan
Jordan is the dim sum heart of Kowloon: Here, local dim sum restaurants line up, more authentic and cheaper than the tourist addresses. Must-eats:
- Tim Ho Wan (MTR Olympia Station): The cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant in the world. BBQ Pork Buns (Char Siu Bau) are the star — crispy dough, sweet-smoky filling. Expect a queue (30–60 min.), but it's worth it. Set from 40 HKD.
- Mido Café (Temple Street): A Cha Chaan Teng (Cantonese café) like something out of a Wong Kar-wai film: green tiles, ceiling fans, French toast with butter and condensed milk, Hong Kong Milk Tea. Unchanged since the 1950s — a time capsule experience.
- Australian Dairy Company (Jordan): The most famous breakfast institution in Hong Kong — scrambled eggs on toast, macaroni in broth, and the creamiest steamed milk pudding in the city. Service is gruff, pace is fast, quality is legendary. 40 HKD for a complete breakfast.
The Peninsula Hotel
The Peninsula Hotel (1928) is Hong Kong's grande dame — an Art Deco palace in TST, once considered "the finest hotel east of the Suez Canal". Even if you're not staying here: Afternoon Tea in the lobby (with live orchestra) is an institution (468 HKD per person). Or simply stroll through the lobby and admire the golden splendor — that's free.