Chateh and Sungai Wang — Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong designer Nelson Chow, has pared back the look of traditional Asian dining spaces to create a crisp, minimalist aesthetic for a Malaysian-Chiu Chow Chinese restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui. ‘We embrace tradition, but interpret it in a new, modern, more casual way for a younger crowd,’ explains Chow. The dining area is divided into two main spaces: Sungai Wang, dedicated to Malaysian cuisine, features a wall wrapped in sinuous dark wood that morphs into an open-kitchen counter with stools that reference traditional drums. Centrally located, over-sized abstract fishing ‘baskets’ double as semi-private dining booths while creating a dedicated entrance to the adjacent modern Chinese Chateh. Here, wooden screens – a contemporary nod to the classic courtyard house – frame casual communal tables and walls flanked with generously sized banquettes with star-like clusters of pendant lighting overhead. Happily, the menus remain reassuringly nostalgic with timeless favourites like Beef Rendang or sliced goose meat with tofu.

ADDRESS

132 Nathan Road

VIEW GOOGLE MAPS

PHOTOGRAPHY

Dennis Lo