Mr Ming’s Chinese Dining Opens in Hong Kong
This recently opened restaurant designed by Nelson Chow of NC Design & Architecture evokes the iconic cinematography of Wong Kar-Wai
Stepping into Mr Ming's Chinese Dining in Hong Kong’s K11 Art Mall is like stepping into a time capsule, or better yet, the set of a Wong Kar-Wai film. Part mid-century diner, part cha chaan teng (a traditional Hong Kong-style cafe), it’s a cinematic backdrop against which to enjoy dim sum and traditional Chiu Chow and Cantonese fare.
This heady mix of whimsy and retro is served up by Nelson Chow of NC Design & Architecture (NCDA), the designer behind Hong Kong favourites Foxglove and Mrs Pound. Chow is a storyteller and a firm believer in a space being directed by a strong narrative. In this case, inspiration comes in the form of a fictional character, a Chinese arts enthusiast, vintage car lover and coin collector named Mr Ming.
The restaurant is split over two levels: the upper floor is swathed in a palette of natural woven-grass wallpaper in deep turquoise, paired with natural timber surfaces, earthy terracotta, rattan light fixtures and custom artworks, while downstairs is a speakeasy-style take on the same theme, with layers of plush velvet and brushed brass taking the glam factor up a notch. Many of the details are inspired by the tubular coin rolls that the fictional character collects, as well as vintage vinyl car seat details that anyone of a certain generation will immediately recognise. The colour palette is suitably rich and dynamic, shapes and forms are bold and graphic, and texture is layered upon texture.
Chow says he was inspired by Shanghainese singer Yao Lee, but the space is also evocative of the sublimely saturated neon visuals and nostalgic narratives of Hong Kong’s most famous film director, Wong Kar-Wai. This new dining destination forgoes the typical Chinese restaurant design tropes in favour of this entertaining narrative, complemented by a menu of Cantonese classics.
Text / Suzy Annetta
Images / Harold De Puymorin
