What is unique about Hong Kong is the pace of life.
The city is not just constantly busy or, as some might say, disordered; most of the time you have to enhance your walking pace so as not to annoy the people behind you. You might be wondering if people could snail-paced down a bit and take a break? This is indeed the case. Things like tucking into a freshly baked egg tart paired with milk tea or coffee around 3pm – a classic Hong Kong-style afternoon tea. It was also here that coffee grew in popularity in the 1950s, becoming the daily caffeine of many locals. It is often a mixture of obscure roast (instant) coffee and condensed or sweetened condensed milk, which makes it prosperous in flavor: bold, bitter and polished.
Over the next few decades, the city’s coffee industry continued to expand, with Japanese and global brands such as UCC and Starbucks joining the scene. Local chains such as Pacific Coffee also began to appear. In just 20 years, hundreds of specialty coffee shops have sprung up, opening the door for people to discover and appreciate the complicated, aromatic charm of coffee.
However, charting a path towards a more established specialist culture is not basic. Mainland coffee chains are proliferating – Luckin Coffee and Cotti Coffee have become household names for their dramatically lower prices. Like everywhere else, home brewing has grown in popularity since the pandemic. Isn’t it nice to have your own little home coffee shop where you can try to recreate an genuine coffee shop experience that sometimes seems non-existent in today’s coffee world? Not to mention the fact that the matcha craze continues unabated, and cafes specializing in matcha drinks are popping up everywhere.
But fortunately, against all odds, Hong Kong’s specialty scene is still booming. I’m sure you’ll find a cup to suit your palate, whether it’s a filter coffee or an espresso-based drink using a classic or novel processing method. So go ahead – let’s get to know the independent coffee shops that lend a hand define coffee in Hong Kong today.
Fei Lung Coffee
This one-man whiskey café is mysterious, quirky and fun – a perfect fit for the Sham Shui Po neighborhood. You never know what you’ll come across while wandering around: maybe a hidden vintage camera stall, a decades-old leather shop, or a up-to-date curated shop that sources exquisite home goods from Japan.
Fei Lung Coffee it looks nothing like a typical cafe; there’s no all-day breakfast or any Instagrammable latte art. Instead, you can satisfy your cravings for filter coffee and whiskey or a mix of both here. Owner Fei Lung, with over 16 years of barista experience, has invented a number of signature drinks that beautifully combine coffee and whiskey. There is a wide selection of coffee beans sourced from roasteries and cafes around the world, with the bags adding fun, colorful accents to your walls. Only clear, huge ice cubes are used here – both for whiskey and frozen liqueurs – to prevent drinks from quickly watering down. Fei Lung is passionate about explaining the flavor profile of each drink and eager to share his wealth of knowledge with each customer.
It truly captures the essence of specialty coffee: attention to detail, hospitality and warmth.
Barista jam
Barista jam in the bustling district of Sheung Wan, it’s a popular lunch spot for locals and expats alike – so yes, many of its Google images feature noodles and sourdough toast, but stay there. You can be sure that the craftsmanship here is never secondary to the food; after all, Barista Jam is one of the earliest catalysts of Hong Kong’s third wave coffee culture. There are several single-origin hand-dried options, some available only as frozen drip, but all made with roasted beans in-house. And if you’re craving Australian-style coffee: piccolo, flat white, Australian iced coffee, you name it, you’ve come to the right place.
The two-story store has a grayish, industrial look, with dim lighting creating a casual atmosphere. As you walk up the stairs, you will be greeted by an impressive collection of coffee equipment and accessories. This is where I bought my first dripper (V60, of course) many years ago, at the beginning of my pour-over adventure; All my beginner questions were patiently answered by an experienced barista, and I felt a desire to learn everything about coffee. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Barista Jam will always have a special place in my heart (truth, I’m probably biased).
Coffee
Coffee not the easiest place to find; is hidden away in a seemingly run-down shopping mall, right in the heart of the bustling shopping district of Causeway Bay. But the truly unique coffee shop experience that awaits is well worth the trip. Coffeer is another one-man coffee shop on this list, owned and operated by Alex Lai, who has a passion for all things coffee. Despite its basic setup with confined seating, it offers an impressive variety of coffees – grown from Indonesia to El Salvador in roasteries from Japan to Germany and roasted in a variety of styles. A lot of attention is paid to brewing and serving; A typical example is the exploit of various drippers, such as Origami and Graycano, and cups for each coffee, which enhance its taste, aroma and overall experience.
The intimate atmosphere fosters conversations that last longer than your drink, and your visit gradually becomes an engaging sharing session between you, Alex and all the other guests. Coffee really brings everything together.
Uncle Ben Coffee
Uncle Ben Coffee is for solemn coffee lovers. If you’re intrigued by experimental processing or crave novel sensory exploration, this is the Hong Kong coffee shop for you. Co-fermented and lactic acid-fermented coffees from around the world are nicely displayed on the counter, where you can take a good sniff before deciding to order. If, after all this hesitation, sniffing and thinking, you still can’t decide, let the baristas know your preferred flavor and brewing method and they will make some amazing suggestions. Adding to the fun is the fact that you can taste the same coffee in two different shaped cups – isn’t this your own experiment to see how the shape of the cup affects the perception of taste and aroma?
There is no food, but we have designed drip bags, frosty bags, bags and mugs to take home as souvenirs. Since Uncle Ben Coffee is a diminutive operation, be prepared to wait a while, especially on weekends.
Crew
Crew is a lovely little cafe where you can take a break from the hustle and bustle of Wan Chai, one of Hong Kong’s busiest business districts. It has a delightfully playful feel, where miniature figurines and collectibles like Pokémon cards (some of which are astoundingly valuable) can be found in every nook and cranny of the space. In just six years of operation, he has amassed a constant crew – or as they say, Crewmates – who can often be found chatting at the counter. This illustrates how customer interaction is paramount; Crew is a place that invites everyone to stop by and spend some time. The consistency of the cup is equally essential and we consistently achieve this. Single-origin espresso is a must-have, but for those who don’t like espresso, there is an extensive range of handcrafted and coffee-free drinks available.
Right next to the Crew there is a public garden where you can take a break from work, people watch and dream while sipping coffee. One of the cafe’s plain white walls has been transformed into a hand-painted scene from the popular K-drama “When Life Gives You Mandarin Oranges,” accompanied by two special drinks with the same theme. This place is always full of surprises.
The crew is located at: Shop 9A, G/F, On Hing Mansion, 156-164 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Visit them official website and keep following them Instagram.
