Farewell to Hong Kong Icon: Metropol Restaurant Closes After 44 Years
Hong Kong's culinary scene bids farewell to an icon. The Metropol restaurant, a staple for over four decades, closed its doors on September 27. Dim sum cook Jackie Chan Cheuk-yiu, who spent 34 years at the establishment, found the farewell bittersweet.
The Metropol, with its capacity of 1,200, was a symbol of Hong Kong's boom years in the 1980s and 90s. It was known for its traditional dim sum carts, a dying art in the city's fast-paced dining scene. Staff and regulars formed strong bonds, affectionately calling each other 'sister' and 'brother'.
The closure marks a significant shift in Hong Kong's food and drink industry. Once a backwater, Shenzhen now poses a threat, drawing customers and talent away from the city. Long hours and youth preference for other jobs have also contributed to the decline of dim sum professionals.
The Metropol's closure signifies more than just the end of a restaurant. It's a farewell to a tradition, a community, and an era. As Jackie Chan Cheuk-yiu and his colleagues bid their final goodbyes, they leave behind a legacy that will be remembered in Hong Kong's culinary history.
