Hong Kong’s 60-Year-Old Restaurant “Drunken Qionglou” Closes Down Store: Owner Says It's Hard to Resist Market Headwinds

In Hong Kong, a food paradise, time-honored restaurants carry countless collective memories for the city’s residents. However, in the face of changing times and market challenges, many old stores remain unable to escape the fate of closure. Established in 1962, Drunken Qionglou in Wan Chai, renowned for its authentic Hakka flavors, ultimately could not withstand a worsening business environment and is expected to cease operations by the end of October this year.

According to Sing Tao Daily, Wan Chai’s Drunken Qionglou, which has been rooted in Hong Kong for over 60 years, announced on the 13th that it will close in October. Drunken Qionglou in Wan Chai has always been a representative in passing down authentic Hakka flavors. In the closure announcement, the restaurant mentioned that over the years, it has relied on the love and support of local customers, becoming a culinary landmark in Wan Chai District filled with countless fond memories.

However, the owner said that in recent years, facing multiple challenges such as the impact of the pandemic, changes in consumer habits, and persistently rising operating costs, even though the team has tried hard to seek transformation and breakthroughs, they were ultimately unable to withstand the market’s headwinds and had to make the painful decision to close. However, the restaurant also stated that there is still hope for another outcome. The announcement mentioned that “no possibility of continuing operations has been given up,” and that if there is a turnaround in the market environment or reasonable support from the landlord before October, there may still be a chance for them to continue running.

Drunken Qionglou Restaurant is famous for its authentic Hakka cuisine, such as Meicai Kourou (braised pork with preserved vegetables), salt-baked chicken, Dongjiang Tofu, and more—all beloved by patrons. After the news of the closure surfaced, many netizens expressed their reluctance, lamenting that another long-standing local eatery is disappearing, which is truly a pity.