Great picture of Tai Pak but this floating restaurant was in Castle Peak Bay (a branch that was opened by the same company in Aberdeen). The mountain in the background was Castle Peak (now Tuen Mun).
There were many eateries built near the water in different places but as far as sizable floating restaurants were concerned, I can only recall eating at those at Aberdeen, Shatin and Castle Peak Bay.
This particular vessel in Castle Peak Bay was converted to a souvenir shop in the late 70s for unsuspecting tourists before it was sold to the mainland. My brother said he saw it in Guangxi during a trip back in the late 80s.
In this picture, the floating restaurant was not linked to the land but I remember walking to board the boat via a proper walkbridge which must have been constructed after 1962 to aid access. The small boat attached to the right was the kitchen (presumably because of fire hazard) and there was also a small barge with cages that kept the seafood in real seawater. The catches were chosen William Holden style and we kids run round and round the boat - a miracle that none of us fell into the water!
Back in the old world, another great seafood eatery by the sea was fresh oysters at Lau Fau Shan. Urban dwellers would travel to Yeun Long on weekends to indulge themselves on this local delicacy straight from the seabed. Today, you wouldn't dare to sample anything from the heavily polluted Deep Bay or surrounding water.
I have a photo taken in 1954 of a floating fish restaurant. This was taken on a "G" Branch outing to Lamma Island and is between two others in my album one of which is Aberdeen Channel and the other Aberdeen. I will include this with the next batch of my photos. Anyone know which restaurant it might have been?
Wow, I also had no idea about the Castle Peak restaurant. My mom always told me about going to Aberdeen and eating at the floating restaurants there, so even she mixed things up over the years. I can't believe your brother saw it in Guangxi! That's like out of a cheap novel or something. So fascinating!!
I read in the news that the company that currently owns the abandoned vessels in Aberdeen waters is thinking of reviving them for tourism. I really want to get near to them again.
Oh, wow! That would be great if that happens in Aberdeen. I feel like that area used to be so popular with visitors up until the 90s and now it's not at all. It'd be nice to have that be a destination again!
From what I read, there appeared to be a dispute, which resulted with a restraining order, prevented the barge from a much needed overhaul. The plan as cited by the owner is that they would try to open up the site for tours sometime in 2026, but no details had been revealed yet.
Comments
Tai Pak
Dear Susan,
Great picture of Tai Pak but this floating restaurant was in Castle Peak Bay (a branch that was opened by the same company in Aberdeen). The mountain in the background was Castle Peak (now Tuen Mun).
re: Tai Pak
Thanks RF, I didn't realise there was one there too.
Susan has previously posted a lovely view of a floating restaurant at Sha Tin, so together with Aberdeen that's three sites. Were there any more?
Regards, David
There were many eateries
There were many eateries built near the water in different places but as far as sizable floating restaurants were concerned, I can only recall eating at those at Aberdeen, Shatin and Castle Peak Bay.
This particular vessel in Castle Peak Bay was converted to a souvenir shop in the late 70s for unsuspecting tourists before it was sold to the mainland. My brother said he saw it in Guangxi during a trip back in the late 80s.
In this picture, the floating restaurant was not linked to the land but I remember walking to board the boat via a proper walkbridge which must have been constructed after 1962 to aid access. The small boat attached to the right was the kitchen (presumably because of fire hazard) and there was also a small barge with cages that kept the seafood in real seawater. The catches were chosen William Holden style and we kids run round and round the boat - a miracle that none of us fell into the water!
Re: Tai Pak Restaurant in Castle Peak Bay
The walkbridge as mentioned by RF.
Seafood By the Sea
Back in the old world, another great seafood eatery by the sea was fresh oysters at Lau Fau Shan. Urban dwellers would travel to Yeun Long on weekends to indulge themselves on this local delicacy straight from the seabed. Today, you wouldn't dare to sample anything from the heavily polluted Deep Bay or surrounding water.
Another gwulo HK tradition faded into history.
Floating Fish restaurant
I have a photo taken in 1954 of a floating fish restaurant. This was taken on a "G" Branch outing to Lamma Island and is between two others in my album one of which is Aberdeen Channel and the other Aberdeen. I will include this with the next batch of my photos. Anyone know which restaurant it might have been?
Pauline.
Tai Pak
Wow, I also had no idea about the Castle Peak restaurant. My mom always told me about going to Aberdeen and eating at the floating restaurants there, so even she mixed things up over the years. I can't believe your brother saw it in Guangxi! That's like out of a cheap novel or something. So fascinating!!
Tai Pak re-opening?
I read in the news that the company that currently owns the abandoned vessels in Aberdeen waters is thinking of reviving them for tourism. I really want to get near to them again.
RF
Oh, wow! That would be great…
Oh, wow! That would be great if that happens in Aberdeen. I feel like that area used to be so popular with visitors up until the 90s and now it's not at all. It'd be nice to have that be a destination again!
Re: Tai Pak reopening
Hi there,
From what I read, there appeared to be a dispute, which resulted with a restraining order, prevented the barge from a much needed overhaul. The plan as cited by the owner is that they would try to open up the site for tours sometime in 2026, but no details had been revealed yet.
T