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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

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.

  • Uncle Leung


    Street vendor

    “We picked this spot on Leighton Road today because it’s spacious and we aren’t in peoples’ way. We’ve been here for over 40 years. We used to roast chestnuts…

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  • Mr Chu


    Owner, Kung Wo Tong

    “Kung Wo Tong is a family business that can be traced back to the Qing Dynasty when herbal turtle jelly was consumed frequently. We first opened on Temple Street…

    #Culture   #Food  
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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…

    Streetsnaps
  • 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…

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  • Ryan, Ryan, Jacky, Danny


    Basketball players

    Danny: “I play basketball here a few times a week. I also go to Southern Stadium because my school is there but I prefer Victoria Park because I can get to know more…

    Streetsnaps
  • Uke


    Performer of Causeway Bay

    “I’m wearing makeup and costume that I bought in Indonesia for performances and competitions. I’ve just finished buying something here in Causeway Bay…

    Streetsnaps
  • Liza Wang


    Accomplished artist

    It was just last year that Liza Wang, Hong Kong’s most beloved diva, actress, and Cantonese Opera artist, celebrated the 50th year of her glorious career. Having mesmerised a whole generation of Hongkongers…

    Interviews
  • Auntie Chiu


    Villain hitter

    I’m from Dongguan and my family, we had a lot of farms there. I was really busy planting mandarins, we had pigs, cows and chickens…

    Interviews

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.

  • Ryan, Ryan, Jacky, Danny


    Basketball players

    Danny: “I play basketball here a few times a week. I also go to Southern Stadium because my school is there but I prefer Victoria Park because I can get to know more…

    Streetsnaps
  • Uke


    Performer of Causeway Bay

    “I’m wearing makeup and costume that I bought in Indonesia for performances and competitions. I’ve just finished buying something here in Causeway Bay…

    Streetsnaps
  • Liza Wang


    Accomplished artist

    It was just last year that Liza Wang, Hong Kong’s most beloved diva, actress, and Cantonese Opera artist, celebrated the 50th year of her glorious career. Having mesmerised a whole generation of Hongkongers…

    Interviews
  • Auntie Chiu


    Villain hitter

    I’m from Dongguan and my family, we had a lot of farms there. I was really busy planting mandarins, we had pigs, cows and chickens…

    Interviews