Jimmy Lee
Owner, Red Pepper
“In 1967, I worked as an apprentice at an architecture office by day and then went to night school. I worked on the first floor of the Lee Garden building when there were a lot of government offices but after three years, realised I wasn’t interested in that. At first, my family had a restaurant called Coffee House on Hysan Avenue and it was popular for western style pastries. Later, in 1971, we opened Red Pepper. Back then, there were not a lot of Sichuanese restaurants in Hong Kong. I would finish work in Central and then come back every night to help my dad. In those days, young people didn’t really have their own lives in the same way they do now and so I spent a lot of time in the family business. Our clients are quite international, even from the start. There were locally based British people and fewer Cantonese. Then later in the 70s and 80s, there were more Japanese – their economy was doing very well and there were a lot of Japanese department stores in Causeway Bay. It gets very full during rugby season every year and people would book multiple tables. People used to get quite rowdy, taking off their clothes and jumping around. We get international press and customers have shown us that we were mentioned in The New York Times. Bruce Lee fans know that Game of Death was filmed here and so we get asked about that. I wasn’t there during filming but my brother was to make sure that the film crew were taken care of over those few days.”
More Stories
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Causeway Bay embodies the many facets of Hong Kong – the fast pace, fascinating contrasts and dynamic energy. From the city’s very beginning to the present day, its diversity and vibrancy makes it a beloved neighbourhood.
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Charmaine Choi
Shopper in Causeway Bay
“I just finished shopping at Victoria’s Secret; I was really excited when I found out they were opening as I’d always go there with my girlfriends when I studied overseas…
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Takeo and Ryuma Iwami
Hong Kong Judo Kan
Over 50 years ago, Ryuma Iwami’s father Takeo came to Hong Kong with the desire to bring with him a part of Japan and its culture: judo. His dojo, Hong Kong Judo Kan, was established in Prince Edward in 1966, and later relocated to Causeway Bay.
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Yiu Fung
3 Foo Ming Street
Established in Shanghai and brought to Hong Kong around 60 years ago, Yiu Fung specialises in Chinese snacks: pickled and preserved fruits, nuts and also dried meat products such as beef, pork and fish…
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JJ Acuna
Owner of JJ Acuna / Bespoke Studio
JJ Acuna’s connection with Causeway Bay began the moment he arrived in Hong Kong from New York more than 12 years ago. “It was my first neighbourhood…
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Annie Chu
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“Today I’m taking a Vinyasa class. I come to Causeway Bay every weekend for yoga and I like how fluid and flowy these classes are…
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Scott Chou
Fan of President Theatre
“I’m a huge fan of the movies. I go to the cinema at least once a week and the President Theatre is really my favourite place to go. I guess it all comes from when I was young…
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The Lee Gardens Hotel
Joseph Yung, former General Manager and Toh Toh Ma, former Chief Executive
Even now, 25 years after its doors closed for the last time, the legacy of Lee Gardens Hotel lives on in the memory of those who called the hotel their home…
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Irene Lee
Chairman of Hysan Development
There are very few people who know the origin of a suburb, let alone one as integral to Hong Kong as Causeway Bay. But for Irene Lee, granddaughter of Lee Hysan and current chairman of Hysan Development, she can look back on the neighbourhood’s inception…
Celebrating Causeway Bay
Feature
A neighbourhood in flux, Causeway Bay’s constant evolution keeps residents and visitors coming back for more. Whether it’s fashion, food, film or art, it’s a part of Hong Kong that keeps people mesmerised and inspired.
Causeway Bay: Then & Now
Feature
Causeway Bay embodies the many facets of Hong Kong – the fast pace, fascinating contrasts and dynamic energy. From the city’s very beginning to the present day, its diversity and vibrancy makes it a beloved neighbourhood.
-
Annie Chu
Causeway Bay yogi
“Today I’m taking a Vinyasa class. I come to Causeway Bay every weekend for yoga and I like how fluid and flowy these classes are…
-
Scott Chou
Fan of President Theatre
“I’m a huge fan of the movies. I go to the cinema at least once a week and the President Theatre is really my favourite place to go. I guess it all comes from when I was young…
-
The Lee Gardens Hotel
Joseph Yung, former General Manager and Toh Toh Ma, former Chief Executive
Even now, 25 years after its doors closed for the last time, the legacy of Lee Gardens Hotel lives on in the memory of those who called the hotel their home…
-
Irene Lee
Chairman of Hysan Development
There are very few people who know the origin of a suburb, let alone one as integral to Hong Kong as Causeway Bay. But for Irene Lee, granddaughter of Lee Hysan and current chairman of Hysan Development, she can look back on the neighbourhood’s inception…

