We chat to NATASHA TANG, a writer from Hong Kong and France, about life in Sai Ying Pun and the charm of its neighbourhood streets, including Ko Shing Street. “It’s the perfect location, with access to the waterfront and a ten-minute walk from Soho,” says Natasha.
About your neighbourhood
What’s the name of your street?
I live close to Ko Shing Street in Sai Ying Pun.
If it’s in Chinese, what does it mean?
The name means “to rise high”, but to most people it’s known as “Chinese medicine street”.
What’s a common myth or misconception about your neighbourhood?
That all the French people live there! Perhaps there used to be a high concentration because there was a French kindergarten in the area years ago, but it’s not the case anymore.
Exact words you tell a taxi driver or ride-share driver to get home?
“Gou Sing Gaai.”
Closest MTR station?
Sai Ying Pun.
How long have you lived here? Why here?
It’s been six years now, and I would be sad to move as I think it’s the perfect location. It allows me to access the waterfront and High West easily for the days I want to hike and run, and I’m a ten-minute walk from Soho for all the restaurants.
Tell us a bit about your home.
I keep things quite airy in my apartment: soft tones, different textures and potted plants. I do like to have one standout piece of furniture; in my case, it’s an emerald-toned armchair that my cats and my dog love to sit in.
Ko Shing Street highlights
When you walk out of your place, what’s the first thing you see?
I see the cats that live in the neighbourhood; they feel part of the community and people always stop to greet them.
What’s the closest store to your front door?
Dried seafood and spice stores line the nearby streets.
If Sai Ying Pun was chosen for a remake of a film, which would it be and why?
Any old film that shows people pushing carts of merchandise beside drying seafood on the floor. You can still find the “shark fin” signs – needless to say, this hasn’t aged very well…
We’re sure your neighbours are great, but is there anything you wouldn’t mind a little less of?
I have a great relationship with my neighbours; they take care of our little zoo when we are travelling so I am eternally grateful.
What’s the unofficial uniform of Ko Shing Street?
It’s a very laid-back area so people are either in workout clothes, casual wear or shirtless (for those working in the heat).
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever seen on your street or nearby?
Someone wearing bright Pepto-Bismol-pink silk pants. Oh, wait – that was me.
Things to do in the area
What are your three favourite places to eat or drink in the neighbourhood and why?
Definitely Hara Kako – it’s one of the cafés with the best coffee in Hong Kong. I love the stripped-back walls and exposed piping, and there is a creative space/music room upstairs that is popular with students and music lovers.
When I really don’t have time for lunch, I get sushi take-away from NINOEN sushi in Sai Ying Pun. I also love getting tofu fa or fresh soybean milk from 日日鮮手作店, especially when I come back from a hike.
What are the best places to shop at in the neighbourhood?
The Sai Ying Pun wet market is the best for vegetables, and Korean grocer Han Ying Hong is a great complement.
What are some fun or interesting things to do around Ko Shing Street and the rest of your neighbourhood?
Sai Ying Pun has a more slow-living kind of pace, which seems counterintuitive in a place like Hong Kong. You’ll find a variety of stores, from Indonesian grocery stores to fresh noodle shops mixed in with modern coffee shops and quaint yoga studios as you snake your way up from First Street to High Street. And I would encourage anyone to do the Morning Trail to see the beautiful Hong Kong views from The Peak.
What’s one thing you’d never change?
The mix of old and new.
How about one thing you would change?
I think residents could benefit from a new selection of restaurants with quality food on High Street.
If the city gave you a million dollars to soup up your street, how would you use it?
I’d add a more beautifully designed community-led space that brings people together and hosts more analogue events, and that is also dog-friendly.
Things to do in Hong Kong
What are your favourite Hong Kong spots for taking out-of-town guests?
Peng Leng Jeng is a dai pai dong-style restaurant on Staunton Street that has a great old-school Hong Kong vibe.
When you’re in need of a dose of culture, where do you go?
Shenzhen. It’s just an hour away from Hong Kong and has so many museums to choose from. They have done a really good job in curating interesting exhibitions in beautiful spaces.
Fact File: Ko Shing Street Trivia
As Natasha has alluded to, Ko Shing Street is renowned for its association with Chinese medicine. Well over a century ago, a busy market developed in the area, with merchants selling traditional medicinal herbs and ingredients – think ginseng, goji berries, fungi, herbal tea and more. Little has changed today, with the street still serving as the heart of the Chinese medicine wholesale industry, and storefronts full of TCM products.
This article about living near Ko Shing Street in Sai Ying Pun first appeared in the Autumn 2026 issue of Expat Living magazine. You can buy the latest mag or an annual subscription, or read the digital version for free now.
