Dai Pai Dong

"Dai pai dong" is the generic name that many people use for open air restaurants in Hong Kong.

A little research shows that the name is actually quite specific and most places that are called dai pai dongs really aren't.

The name means "big license stall," and refers to open air food stalls operated after the war by families of deceased or injured civil servants. The British colonial government issued them licenses that were displayed in the shops. The licenses were large, so people called them "big licenses."

There were many dai pai dongs in Happy Valley at one time, but only a couple dozen remain in all of Hong Kong now.

Nonetheless, there is an open air restaurant in Happy Valley that I used to eat at and that I've always referred to as a dai pai dong. Anna and I stopped by there for a bite the other day while we were in the neighborhood.

We had the standard roast duck and barbecued pork on rice with boiled Chinese kale drizzled with oyster sauce.

The chopsticks were waiting on the table.

It was very good and nice sitting watching the people on the street.