Yung Kee Restaurant - More than half a
century ago, it was a modest cooked food stall in Kwong Yuen West Street.
Its founder, Mr. Kam Shui Fai was renowned for his Roast Goose. So even
tourists and crewmen flocked in groups to savour the specialty from Hong
Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal.
Yung Kee acquires fame for its gourmet specialty-Roast Goose. It becomes
well known among people in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau, and it also
attracts many tourists from foreign countries. After tasting the Roast
Goose, they buy and carry it home with them by air to share among relatives
and friends. For that, Yung Kee's Roast Goose is nicknamed "Flying Roast
Goose". Yung Kee's founder, Mr. Kam Shui Fai, is also called "Roast Goose
Fai".
From a young and penniless restaurant apprentice to become the owner of Yung
Kee Restaurant and Yung Kee Building, which is situated in prime Central
commercial area, Mr. Kam Shui Fai, the self-made man, has been acclaimed as
a legendary figure for his success by foreign and local press. In 1968, Yung
Kee has been named by the Fortune Magazine to be one of the Top Fifteen
Restaurants in the World, the only Chinese restaurant on the list.
From a young man without means, Mr. Kam Shui Fai has struggled hard in his
life. In 1942, he used his savings of HK$4,000 to rent a commercial
unit at 32 Wing Lok Street, and officially started the first stage of the
history of "Yung Kee Restaurant". During that period, it experienced the
occupation of Hong Kong by the Japanese and the Wing Lok Street Building was
destroyed by Japanese air-raids. In 1944, the Restaurant was moved to, again
the same street number, 32 Pottinger Street, to accommodate increase in
business.
In 1964, Mr. Kam Shui Fai formally purchased 32 Wellington Street,
coincidentally also number 32! Eventually four more adjacent buildings
were acquired. In 1978, the five commercial units were torn down and rebuilt
to become the site of the present day "Yung Kee Building". The restaurant
was furnished to modern standards and the management and operations were
streamlined. However, the traditional good services have been maintained to
serve customers.
The Yung Kee Restaurant staff would
like to take this opportunity to extend our heart-felt thanks and
appreciation to the customers and friends who have been supporting and
advising us throughout the years.
