The founder of Jouer tells us what she loves about her neighborhood and where we might find her outside of her innovative kitchen
Anne Cheung prides herself on her playful and innovative ideas, combining an east meets west aesthetic in her creative kitchen and atelier aptly titled Jouer, which is French for ‘play’. Despite her global upbringing, Cheung calls Hong Kong home and we speak to the entrepreneur about what she loves most about our buzzing city and where we may find her when she’s not innovating new ideas at her boutique:
What I love most about being in Wan Chai is how one can experience both an ‘old Hong Kong’ heritage flair and artsy bohemian café culture within just a few blocks of each other. There’s the laid-back but trendy ‘Star Street Precinct’, where all the fashion boutiques, artisanal cafes, organic health shops and small vintage lifestyle/design concept stores are.
It reminds me of a quieter Le Marais in Paris or the West Village in New York City. Alternatively on the other side of Queen’s Road East, there are smaller streets packed with local, down-to-earth eateries and a huge open-air market where you can find everything from fresh produce, local butchers, and imported Dutch flowers.
I love taking a stroll from my shop at Sau Wa Fong all the way down to Spring Garden Lane, getting lost in the busy lunch crowds and discovering a new food stall or coffee place every time.
The best coffee can be found at Brew or Drip in Central’s Chater House.
Cocktails really hold a special place in my heart. It’s very hard to pick one favorite but I do have a few: Devender Kumar’s ‘The Last Word’ at Otto E Mezzo; Amanda Wan’s ‘Coco Candy Negroni’ at The Envoy; Uchida-san’s “Yomogi Cream Martini” at Butler; the Penhaligon’s special ‘Juniper Sling’ at Highline; and whatever newest creations I’m lucky enough to taste, whisked up by Antonio Lai back from his world-touring cocktail contests.
When it comes to getting over a long night, nothing feels better then resting at home and indulging in some comfort food – whether its having a big plate of my aunt’s homemade Shangdong dumplings, or a hot bowl of Chaozhou rice noodles with cuttlefish balls from Wong Ming Kee in Kowloon City.
Now and then I like to splurge and it usually happens when I’m food shopping at the Wan Chai Wet Market. They have a spice shop that houses the most comprehensive collection of both Asian and Western herbs and spices I’ve seen, which are great inspiration when I’m brainstorming new macaron flavours.
When I need an escape from Hong Kong, there is no better idea than a solo trip to Europe where I feel most inspired. Wandering around my favorite neighborhoods in Paris allows me to put behind all my worries and come up with new creative ideas.
My guilty pleasures include Ramen Burger with Kimchi Beef from Street Meat, or Yoichi Single Malt 20 years.
When it comes to getting glammed up I always entrust Billy Choi at Hair Culture for my hair styling and make-up.
I don’t even know where to begin when it comes to listing my favourite places to eat – it would have to be Otto e Mezzo for fine-dining, Little Bao for a fun and casual night filled with exciting food, and The Chairman for Chinese food with family.
Naturally if I’ve been away for a while, why not head over to Jouer for mini macarons and an afternoon of peace!
Photography by Edgar Tapan