Saturday 29 November 2008

Fresh Oyster @ Lau Fau Shan

Famed for its oyster farms and seafood restaurants, Lau Fau Shan (流浮山) is recognised as an important part of Hong Kong's heritage. It is where some of the earliest settlers lived.

This small fishing village is located on Deep Bay (Western New Territories), near Tin Shui Wai and facing Shekou in Shenzhen. About 100 tons of oysters were harvested every year, some for consumption in Hong Kong restaurants and some for export to neighboring countries. Little remains of this today due to pollutin. However the village with its excellent seafood restaurants, now become a tourist attraction for local foodies, especially during weekends and holidays. You can have a truly delicious seafood meal here without much fear of being ripped off. The coastline sunset scene is breathtaking. You can also see a 1500-year-old temple founded by the legendary monk Pui To, who is said to have landed on this coast in a wooden tub.

After you alight from the minibus, take a walk through Ching Tai Street (the only street in Lau Fau Shan) to the shore. You'll pass through a a stretch of seafood restaurants and fishmongers' stalls selling dried seafood. Here, you can buy excellent oyster sauce made by fresh oysters, as well as dried scallops, dried oysters, dried prawn, dried shrimp eggs, salty fish, etc. With the same quality, prices are usually cheaper than shops in the city.


How to get there: Take MTR to Tai Po Market station. Walk to the minibus terminal on Tai Fung Street. Take #33 maxicab, the ride takes around 20 mins.
Warnings: traffic congestion during weekends and public holidays.

No comments: