25th December 2024 – (Hong Kong) The Hung Wan Cafe, a cha chaan teng in Mong Kok, closed its doors for the final time on Christmas Day, marking the end of an era for the establishment, which gained fame as a location in a Stephen Chow film. The owner, known only by his surname Ma, cited significant drops in customer numbers and business as the primary reasons for the closure.
At approximately 6pm, staff lowered the metal shutters, bidding farewell to a final group of customers. Ma, 70, was accompanied by family members, capturing memories through photos and videos within the café before leaving for what he described as a “well-deserved retirement.” He plans to visit Guilin, renowned for its picturesque karst landscapes, to commemorate this new phase of his life.
Ma expressed a sense of exhaustion, stating, “I feel it is the right time to call it an end.” The café, operational since the 1970s, had witnessed a decline in patronage exacerbated by the recent easing of travel restrictions, which he noted had led to fewer visitors than during the pandemic.
As the café’s legacy concluded, Ma’s youngest sister, who now resides in Singapore, returned to Hong Kong with her children to film a documentary capturing the family’s cherished memories tied to the café. Michelle Tan, Ma’s granddaughter, shared her sentiments, reflecting on the café’s role as a familial gathering place during her visits from Singapore. She intends to focus the documentary on personal recollections, hoping to preserve the café’s warmth and community spirit for future generations.
