When I lived in Hong Kong, I rarely went to Western restaurants. I was on a student budget for my first three years there and when I had the luxury of going out, it was to small noodle and congee stalls–the kind that cost less than $2 for a full meal.
After I entered the workforce, I occasionally went to Western restaurants with groups of American friends for birthdays or farewell parties. But I regret I never made it to Jimmy’s Kitchen, a Hong Kong institution since 1928.
I found this ad from 1962 and of all the Western restaurants listed on this page, only Jimmy’s remains today. The ad boasts “genuine Indian curries, Georgian Shashlick, grilled Spiced Chicken, Black Pepper Steak.” It’s more eclectic than I’d thought.
Even my mom and grandma ate at Jimmy’s back in the 60s.
“When we went to Jimmy’s Kitchen,” my mom told me, “one of my friends was offended they had ketchup bottles on the tables.” How gauche.
But seriously, if Jimmy’s has been around for 82 years, it must be doing something right.
Thanks so much, Vanessa! I did see an ad for their pickles in one of your photos but didn’t know about the secret recipe! Oh, if I ever go back, that will be one of the first places I hit!
i went to jimmy’s several times for the posh nosh at birthdays etc. jimmy’s has been famous for its pickled shallots which they now bottle so you can take them home to eat! when jimmy himself was around rumour has it that he refused to share the secret recipe with a well-known food critic from some fancy american newspaper!