Kamdu Tea Restaurant

Literary Review, Summer, 2004 by Chan Kron Chung

I'd fooled around in second-hand Mini Coopers, second-hand Triumph roadsters, second-hand Celicas, second-hand Corvette Stingrays, secondhand BMW 325i's. At the height of things, I'd even got my hands on an old handicapped E-type Jag.

From high school years I'd already grasped my hockey stick, going to Pokfield Road Sports Stadium to hook Hong Kong U girls.

My eyes had killed many innocent young ladies.

I happened to be in good luck for a few consecutive years, sponging on my boss, sailing on yachts, picking up unpicked Miss Hong Kongs.

Sandra Ng, if you're going to make the prequel or the sequel of the film Golden Chicken, remember to hire me as a consultant. I'll teach you to sing: money money money, no more money, it's a stick man's world.

I've had the time of my life.

Recently there's been an increase in car tax. Low-price cars are also tied up. Suddenly without an explanation, I've nothing to do. I've contributed to the positive increase of Hong Kong's unemployment statistics.

I used to go to the Bowling Green Club in Cox's Road every night after work, have Indian curry chicken rice every meal, then spend the whole long night sitting in the bar with a few old British buddies held up in Hong Kong drinking spirits to kill boredom. My dad was a member of "Gweilo's Rod" Club, and hadn't applied for termination of membership. I used my dad's name to sign the bill, and every month I just paid 500 dollars basic membership fee. This saved me a packet on the enrollment fee. A real best buy. Recently I've changed from middle-class to no class. Poverty stifles ambition. I could only tell the club that I have to leave the city so have to suspend the membership.

At first I had Doll instant noodles every night at home. One night I looked at the bowl of noodles, and I couldn't eat it. Alone, and having Doll noodles for dinner, is too difficult for me to accept. So I walked down to the street and sat my buttocks straight down in Kamdu. Ever since then, every night I have a plate of Chef's Choice rice and a cup of lemon honey drink and sit there for the whole night.

Today, Ado has gone back to Dongguan, his hometown. Miss Cash, head down, is counting the cash, quiet and damn hard-working. I'm in a good mood, so I turn over the menu. To my surprise, the whole thing's bilingual, in Chinese and English. Kamdu has really pulled the stops out. Anything you want can be found here:

Roast Meat Series, Congee and Noodles Series, Rice-in-a-Plate Series, Casserole Series, Soup-in-a-Pot Series, Shallow-Fry Dishes Series, Shajiang Marinated Chicken Series, Flour Rolls Series, Chaozhou Late-Night Series, Doll Noodles Series, Sweet Soup Series, Vietnam Noodles-in-Soup Series, Japanese Ramen Series, Singapore-Malaysia-Indonesia Coconut Curry Series, Spaghetti and Penne Series,

Russian Series--Shredded Beef Rice, Creamy Chicken Rice, Bortsch; Western Dishes Series--Deep-fried Chicken Legs, Baked Pork Chop Rice, Portuguese Chicken Rice, Cream Soup, Fruit Salad; Western Snacks Series--Pineapple Bread with Butter Egg Tart French Toast Sausage and Egg French Fries Hamburger Hot Dog Sandwich Tea Coffee Tea-and-Coffee; Chef's Sincere Recommendation New Dishes Series--Thai Pork Neck, American Baby Chicken, Special Recipe Pizza with Golden-Silver Salted Eggs and Dried Salted Fish.