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.
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Boon Yuen
French Bulldog
“I live above Fung Shing Restaurant. Every day I go for a walk at the Happy Valley racecourse then rest by the benches. Then we go for another round before…
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Noonday Gun
A beloved tradition
A loud ‘bang’ echoes from the Causeway Bay waterfront at precisely 12pm every day. It’s the Noonday Gun, a three-pound artillery gun…
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Mr Cheung
Owner, Ambassador Barber Parlour
I’ve worked here for over 50 years, 30 in this location and 20 in the last. I came to Causeway Bay in 1978 and when my old bosses retired…
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Candy Cheung
Shun Kee Typhoon Shelter Seafood Owner
“We grew up here on the water. In the 1950s and 1960s, the Causeway Bay typhoon shelter used to be filled with these floating restaurants, but by the 90s, they’d begun to disappear. Some of the few that remained eventually shut down and opened up on-land instead…
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Grandma Poon
Resident of Causeway Bay
“I was born on Lockhart Road back in 1933. I was 20 years old when I was sent to Cuba to be married and have a family. We came back in 1960 and later bought property…
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Celia Leung
Branding designer
“As a designer, I take a lot of inspiration from minimalistic Northern European design – which is the absolute opposite to the sights and sounds of Causeway Bay…
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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…
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Christopher DeWolf
Journalist
Ever since he was a teenager, Christopher DeWolf has been fascinated by cities: “I’ve always been interested in them and what makes them tick….

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.
-
Grandma Poon
Resident of Causeway Bay
“I was born on Lockhart Road back in 1933. I was 20 years old when I was sent to Cuba to be married and have a family. We came back in 1960 and later bought property…
-
Celia Leung
Branding designer
“As a designer, I take a lot of inspiration from minimalistic Northern European design – which is the absolute opposite to the sights and sounds of Causeway Bay…
-
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…
-
Christopher DeWolf
Journalist
Ever since he was a teenager, Christopher DeWolf has been fascinated by cities: “I’ve always been interested in them and what makes them tick….