End of an Era: Mong Kok’s Beloved Café “Three Meals a Day” Announces Closure

End of an Era: Mong Kok’s Beloved Café “Three Meals a Day” Announces Closure

Popular Hong Kong Café Bows Out

Renowned Mong Kok café, “Three Meals a Day,” co-founded by Tam Man Ho and Lin Ruihua among others, has announced its impending closure. The decision, attributed largely to escalating rents and food prices, will see the café shut its doors a day after the Mid-Autumn Festival, on September 30th.

The Last Batch of Mooncakes

As a parting gift, the restaurant offered their final batch of mooncakes, which sold out within a day of going on sale. Over the past weekend, numerous citizens came to collect their mooncakes. Unfortunately, a power outage disrupted dine-in and takeaway services, allowing only for mooncake collections.

Customers Mourn the Closure

Regular customers expressed their sadness over the closure, with many hoping that the restaurant will find a way to make a comeback. They also highlighted the growing issue of increasing rents and urged landlords to consider sharing the financial burden with small shop owners.

Rising Rent and Speculations

“Three Meals a Day” was established by the former Legislative Council member, Tam Man Ho, who is currently involved in the primary election case. Rumors suggest that the landlord plans to increase the rent to HKD 100,000. The café held a pre-order for their mooncakes, announcing the final sale of 200 boxes on September 11, which were all sold out the following day.

Regular Customers Share Their Thoughts

Among the café’s regulars is Chen, a resident from the New Territories, who is particularly fond of the signature soy sauce chicken. He believes that the rising rents pose a significant challenge to many Hong Kong restaurants and called for landlords to share the burden. Another regular, Ms. Yin, praised the custard mooncakes and the gift box design drawn by Tam Man Ho’s twin children. She encouraged the restaurant staff and owners to persevere during these challenging times.

Final Farewell

Many customers, like Ms. Lai, made the most of the restaurant’s final offerings, with some reserving mooncakes for friends who are about to emigrate. Despite living on the outlying islands, Ms. Lai made a point of visiting the restaurant twice a month.

Conclusion of an Era

Ultimately, the mounting pressures of increased rents and food prices have led to the closure of the beloved Mong Kok café “Three Meals a Day”. The restaurant’s final batch of mooncakes, which sold out within a day, is a testament to the café’s popularity among locals. Customers hold hope that the restaurant will find a new location to restart their business. They also call on landlords to consider sharing the difficulties with small shop owners during these challenging times.