What’s quintessential about Hong Kong is the tempo of life.
The town isn’t simply continuously busy or, as some would possibly say, chaotic; more often than not, it’s important to choose up your strolling tempo simply to keep away from annoying these behind you. It’s possible you’ll surprise, can’t folks decelerate a bit and take a break? They do, in actual fact. Issues like popping right into a cha chaan teng for a freshly baked egg tart, paired with a milk tea or a espresso round 3:00pm—the basic Hong Kong-style afternoon tea. That is additionally the place espresso rose in reputation within the Nineteen Fifties, changing into many locals’ on a regular basis caffeine repair. It’s typically a mixture of dark-roasted (immediate) espresso and evaporated or sweetened condensed milk, therefore wealthy in taste: daring, bitter, and clean.
The town’s espresso trade continued to develop over the subsequent few many years, with Japanese and international manufacturers resembling UCC and Starbucks becoming a member of the scene. Native chains like Pacific Espresso additionally started to emerge. In simply 20 years or so, a whole bunch of specialty espresso retailers have sprung up, opening the door for folks to discover and recognize espresso’s complicated fragrant attraction.
Charting a path in the direction of a extra established speciality tradition isn’t simple, although. Mainland espresso chains are multiplying—Luckin Espresso and Cotti Espresso have grow to be family names for his or her drastically decrease costs. Like all over the place else, dwelling brewing has soared in reputation ever for the reason that pandemic. Isn’t it enjoyable to have your little dwelling cafe, the place you’ll be able to attempt to recreate the genuine cafe expertise that typically feels nonexistent in at this time’s espresso world? And to not point out that the matcha craze isn’t dying down, and cafes specializing in matcha drinks are popping up throughout.
However fortunately, in opposition to all odds, Hong Kong’s specialty scene remains to be thriving. I’m positive you’ll discover a cup that fits your palate, be it a pour-over espresso or an espresso-based drink, utilizing a conventional or progressive processing technique. So go forward—let’s discover the impartial cafes serving to outline espresso in Hong Kong at this time.
Fei Lung Espresso
This one-man espresso store plus whiskey bar is mysterious, quirky, and enjoyable—completely in sync with the neighborhood of Sham Shui Po. You by no means know what you’ll come upon wandering round: possibly a hidden classic digital camera market stall, a decades-old leather-based retailer, or a contemporary choose store that sources beautiful dwelling objects from Japan.
Fei Lung Espresso is nothing like your typical cafe; there’s no Instagrammable all-day breakfast or latte artwork of any type. As an alternative, you’ll be able to have your cravings for filter espresso and whiskey, or a mixture of each, happy without delay right here. Proprietor Fei Lung, with over 16 years of barista expertise, has invented numerous signature drinks that superbly mix espresso with whiskey. There’s an enormous number of espresso beans sourced from roasters and cafes worldwide, whose baggage have added playful pops of shade to the wall. Solely clear, massive ice cubes are used right here—for each whiskey and iced pour-overs—to forestall the drinks from watering down rapidly. Fei Lung passionately explains the flavour profile of each drink and is keen to share his wealth of information with each buyer.
It certainly encapsulates the essence of specialty espresso: detail-mindedness, hospitality, and heat.
Barista Jam
Barista Jam within the energetic neighborhood of Sheung Wan is a well-liked lunch spot for locals and expats alike—so sure, a lot of its photos on Google are pasta and sourdough toast, however dangle in there. You’ll be able to relaxation assured that the craft right here isn’t secondary to the meals; in spite of everything, Barista Jam is likely one of the earliest catalysts for Hong Kong’s third-wave espresso tradition. There are a number of single-origin hand-drip choices, some out there solely as iced drip, however all ready with in-house-roasted beans. And for those who’re eager for Australian-style espresso: piccolo, flat white, Aussie iced espresso, you identify it, you’re in the correct place.
The 2-story store carries a greyish industrial look, with dim lighting that provides a relaxed environment. Strolling upstairs, you’ll be greeted by a formidable assortment of espresso gear and equipment. That is the place I received my very first dripper (V60, after all) years in the past, at first of my pour-over journey; all my newbie questions had been patiently answered by an skilled barista, and the urge to study the whole lot about espresso germinated in me. It’s no exaggeration to say that Barista Jam will eternally have a particular place in my coronary heart (proper, I’m in all probability biased).
Coffeer
Coffeer isn’t the best spot to seek out; it’s hidden in a seemingly run-down mall, proper within the coronary heart of Causeway Bay’s vibrant purchasing district. However the actually distinctive espresso bar expertise that awaits is so well worth the journey. Coffeer is one other one-man espresso store on this checklist, owned and run by Alex Lai, who has a boundless ardour for the whole lot about espresso. Albeit a easy setup with restricted seating, it gives a formidable number of coffees—grown from Indonesia to El Salvador by the use of roasters from Japan to Germany, and roasted to a wide range of kinds. There’s a number of thought put into brewing and serving; a defining instance is using completely different drippers like Origami and Graycano and cups for every espresso that elevate its taste, aroma, and general expertise.
The intimate setting fosters conversations that outlast your drink, and your go to step by step turns into an enticing sharing session amongst you, Alex, and all the opposite visitors. Espresso certainly ties the whole lot collectively.
Uncle Ben Espresso
Uncle Ben Espresso is for severe espresso fanatics. For those who’re intrigued by experimental processing or crave somewhat novel sensory exploration, that is the Hong Kong cafe for you. Co-fermented and lactic fermented coffees sourced from all around the world are properly offered on the counter, the place you’ll be able to take a very good sniff of all earlier than deciding in your order. If, after all of the hesitating, sniffing, and considering, you continue to can’t make up your thoughts, let the baristas know your most well-liked taste and means of brewing, and so they’ll make a couple of wonderful recommendations. What makes the expertise extra enjoyable is that you may style the identical espresso utilizing two different-shaped cups—isn’t it your personal experiment of how cup form probably impacts the notion of taste and aroma?
There’s no meals, however in-house designed drip baggage, chilly brew baggage, totes, and mugs, which you’ll be able to take dwelling as souvenirs. Since Uncle Ben Espresso is a small operation, be ready to attend for a bit, particularly on weekends.
Crew
Crew is a cute, small espresso store that appears like a respite from the hustle and bustle of Wan Chai, one among Hong Kong’s busiest enterprise districts. It has a delightfully playful character, the place tiny figurine toys and collectables like Pokémon playing cards (a few of that are astonishingly helpful) will be discovered cramming each nook and cranny of the house. In simply six years of operation, it has gathered a crew of regulars—or of their phrases, Crewmates—who are sometimes noticed chitchatting across the counter. That is illustrative of how buyer interplay is put on the core; Crew is a spot that invitations everybody to remain and hang around a bit. Equally vital is cup consistency, and so they have continuously achieved that. Single-origin espresso is a must-try, however for these not keen on espresso, there may be an expansive hand-drip and non-coffee menu.
Proper subsequent to Crew is a public backyard the place you’ll be able to take a breather from work, have a little bit of people-watching and daydreaming whereas sipping your espresso. And one of many cafe’s plain white partitions has been changed into a hand-painted scene from the favored Okay-drama When Life Offers You Tangerines, accompanied by two particular drinks curated on the identical theme. This place is at all times filled with surprises.
Crew is situated at Store 9A, G/F, On Hing Mansion, 156-164 Queen’s Highway East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Go to their official web site and comply with them on Instagram.
Jodee Fok is an influence researcher and author based mostly in Hong Kong. That is Jodee Fok’s first function for Sprudge.
