RESTAURATEUR HOWIN CHUI’S KOWLOON CAFE BRINGS “AUTHENTIC” CANTONESE BBQ TO SYDNEY’S INNER WEST
After successfully reopening their Burwood store in October, Kowloon Cafe has launched Kowloon Cafe BBQ in Sydney’s Inner West.
The Hong Kong-style eatery aims to provide a traditional Cantonese dining experience to expats and Aussie locals alike, with iconic choices such as HK French Toast, rolled egg sandwiches and now, BBQ.
“Cantonese BBQ is a staple in Hong Kong,” says co-owner Howin Chui.
“It’s a special treat that families add to big celebrations like Lunar New Year – they sit around the table and feast and talk and enjoy.
“Think of it like the Cantonese version of a Christmas Ham, but with more variety. And we get to enjoy it year-round.”
Kowloon’s new BBQ offering is an ode to both Chui’s Cantonese heritage and the glory days of Sydney Chinatown. Chui notes iconic Sydney Chinatown venue BBQ King as a main source of inspiration, saying he hopes Kowloon Cafe BBQ can “pay homage” to the now-closed restaurant while providing something new and exciting.
Starting with the interiors. To make way for their new BBQ offering, Kowloon Cafe Burwood underwent a mini-renovation. The dining room was transformed into a more intimate 40-seater space, featuring a viewing window where diners can watch the barbecuing live. Kowloon’s kitchen was also extended to accommodate their new menu and give Chef and Co-Owner Fai Li space to make BBQ magic.
Fai Li is the owner of Golden Sun BBQ in Hurstville, an institution in its own right and one of Chui’s favourite dinner spots; so this partnership is “a long time coming,” says Chui.
Li is bringing his expertise to Kowloon with a menu designed for maximum deliciousness. Guests can choose from BBQ staples such as BBQ Pork and Peking Duck, paired with Kowloon Cafe favourites such as Pineapple Buns ($8.80), Tomato Fried Rice ($17.80) and Stir Fry Soy Noodles ($17.80).
Kowloon Cafe is proud of its Hong Kong roots, as seen in the rest of the interiors. Translated as “tea restaurant” in Cantonese, the cafe features key nostalgic Hong Kong elements including a wall-to-wall fish tank, neon street signs, 3D shopfronts, and a 16-seater minibus, now a bar after being chopped into six sections and re-assembled inside.
Owner Howin Chui, along with his business partner Howard Lee, first opened the Kowloon Cafe in Haymarket in 2019. The aim was to create an eatery for Hong Kongers who were missing the cafes of home. Now the chain has locations in Burwood, Eastwood, Chatswood and plans to expand into World Square in the New Year with Kowloon Cafe Barbecue King. Watch this space. IMAGES
Address: Emerald Square, 11a/27 Belmore St, Burwood NSW 2134
Trading Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11.30am – 9pm
Website: www.kowlooncafe.com.au/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/kowlooncafe.com.au/
