Filmed in "In the Mood for Love"！Hong Kong’s iconic restaurant Jasmine suddenly closes: Couldn’t make it to 2046

▲ Closure notice from Jasmine Restaurant in Hong Kong. (Photo provided by netizen Kenneth Lee, please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement)

Reported by You Ru / Compiled by HowToTrip

The renowned nostalgic Hong Kong restaurant “Jasmine,” which was once used to film Wong Kar-wai’s famous movies “2046” and “In the Mood for Love,” has suddenly announced its closure after 53 years. A sign on the restaurant’s exterior reads: “We couldn’t walk with you to 2046, but we were honored to spend our In the Mood for Love years with you.” The announcement has left many local food lovers filled with regret.


▲%Hong Kong’s Jasmine Restaurant (Image: Internet user Kenneth Lee, please do not reproduce without permission)


Opened in 1962, Jasmine Restaurant was named after the concept of “a goldfinch perched on a silver tree,” as there was a nightclub called “Silver Tree” right across the street at the time, and the owners hoped to attract its patrons. Having lasted half a century, the restaurant still retains the ambiance of a classic 1960s Hong Kong Western-style eatery. Its steak and other Western dishes also transport diners back to that era. Due to its distinctive atmosphere, director Wong Kar-wai chose it as a filming location for both “2046” and “In the Mood for Love,” attracting numerous movie fans to visit this cinematic landmark.

Jasmine Restaurant unexpectedly announced its closure on September 20, with a sign on the exterior reading: “We couldn’t walk with you to 2046, but we were honored to spend our In the Mood for Love years with you.” Many locals went especially to capture the restaurant’s final look. According to Hong Kong media reports, the closure was due to disagreements among shareholders, and it is possible that another nostalgic restaurant may open in the future.