Before you get too excited, you won’t find any wonton noodles to slurp up here. Instead, Wontonmeen is a seemingly mundane youth hostel perched along Lai Chi Kok road. Built by the hostel owner, interior designer Patricia Choi, this 11-storey youth hostel is a lot more than meets the eye. Not only does Wontonmeen provide a homely, rustic-chic place of stay for tourists from all around the globe, but it is also a creative hub where live music performances, art exhibitions and handicraft workshops often take place. The hostel was named Wontonmeen in Pat's hopes of bringing together a wealth of diversity through the wonderful culture and authenticity of Hong Kong – and what better way to represent that than in a hearty bowl of Wontonmeen?
Since travel restrictions has lessened tourists in the area, the dormitory has been converted into a studio allowing musicians to record videos and activate online gigs. Parts of the hostel were opened as shelters for homeless Hongkongers gravely affected by the pandemic and its downstairs cafe, Runners Foods cafe, cooks for the homeless in the nearby park.