Menu

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.

  • Marian


    Tourist

    “I’m a flight attendant from Holland and I’m here for two nights. I come to Hong Kong a few times a year for work and sometimes I go sightseeing but this time…

    Streetsnaps
  • Lindsey McAlister


    Founder, Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation (YAF)

    If there is such a thing as kismet, Lindsey McAlister believes it’s what brought her to Hong Kong. Nearly 30 years ago, the young British arts worker…

    Interviews
  • Gwyneth


    Shop owner

    “I studied design and used to work in marketing. One day, I did a fashion show and one of the sponsors asked why I wasn’t in fashion because I seemed to have a sense for it…

    Streetsnaps
  • 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
  • Angel Wong


    Kid of Causeway Bay

    “I’m going shopping with my mama. We are buying a new wallet…

    Streetsnaps
  • You You & Vicky


    Sisters

    “We usually go home to get changed for after-school classes, but today we’re relaxing at the park. We love playing in Victoria Park…

    Streetsnaps
  • 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…

    Streetsnaps
  • 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…

    Streetsnaps

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.

  • Angel Wong


    Kid of Causeway Bay

    “I’m going shopping with my mama. We are buying a new wallet…

    Streetsnaps
  • You You & Vicky


    Sisters

    “We usually go home to get changed for after-school classes, but today we’re relaxing at the park. We love playing in Victoria Park…

    Streetsnaps
  • 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…

    Streetsnaps
  • 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…

    Streetsnaps