Visit the flagship store of Hong Kong’s famous Fai Kei Dessert – the unique trio of mango, pomelo, and sago in their mango pomelo sago

Text & Photos /Xiao Sheng

The standard of Hong Kong desserts truly lives up to its reputation. The mango pomelo sago I tried at Fai Kei Dessert in Sham Tseng was especially unique. After tasting it, the rich aroma of mango was simply astonishing. It’s an absolute must-try delicacy when you’re in Hong Kong.

This time I came to Sham Tseng in Hong Kong not for anything else but food. Sham Tseng doesn’t have any particularly unique attractions, but thanks to Ya Ya’s recommendation, I found out that the best roast goose in Hong Kong is actually from Nang Kei Roast Goose in Sham Tseng, so I rushed over. After finishing the roast goose, it was already almost 3:30 pm, so I headed to another dessert shop she highly recommended – Fai Kei Dessert. Sham Tseng is rather off the beaten path. Honestly, if it weren’t for the roast goose, I probably wouldn’t have come here. To get to Sham Tseng, I took the MTR to Tsuen Wan West Station and then transferred to bus No. 53. On the way back, I just hopped onto a bus that was going to the city area – I can’t even remember which route it was. Later I realized that taking the bus actually cost more than transferring. Transportation in Hong Kong is really quite expensive.

Hong Kong has several branches of Fai Kei, so you can also enjoy their desserts in busy districts. But the one in Sham Tseng seems to be the original location, so both its position and exterior give off an old-school Hong Kong vibe. The ones in busy areas are all too modern. Only by coming to the Sham Tseng branch can you get a different feel. I heard that the Sham Tseng Fai Kei gets extremely crowded in the evenings, but I arrived right when they opened at 3:30 pm, so I didn’t get to experience that bustling atmosphere.

The somewhat yellowed photos on the wall seem to span a certain era, and the photos with many celebrities also attest to how beloved Fai Kei is among the people of Hong Kong.

What surprised me about Fai Kei Dessert was that such a small shop offers such a wide variety of desserts. Unfortunately, I came alone, so there wasn’t much I could eat. Next time I come to Hong Kong, I’ll definitely bring a bunch of friends along so we can try many different kinds of treats.

Mango Pomelo Sago (HKD 30). It was only after reading Ya Ya’s blog that I realized the price of this mango pomelo sago has been rising year after year. I guess it’s as exaggerated as the soaring rent in Hong Kong. But there’s nothing to be done about it. “Yan Zhi” refers to grapefruit, and “gan lu” represents sago. This is a top-tier dessert made with fresh mangoes. I have to admit, seeing a huge chunk of mango the size of a bowl shocked me a bit XD

Before trying mango pomelo sago, I had no idea mango and pomelo could pair so well. The whole bowl of golden-yellow mango pomelo sago is dominated by mango, with its rich flavor complemented by the slightly sour scent of pomelo. You can taste the contrasting textures of mango and pomelo fruits alongside the sago – a truly unique flavor and mouthfeel that makes you keep taking bite after bite without stopping. In no time, the bowl was empty XD

It’s really a pity that I only got to try the mango pomelo sago this time at Fai Kei, because I had just finished the roast goose and couldn’t sample more of Hong Kong’s desserts. But this mango pomelo sago is truly Fai Kei’s signature dish. I’ve had it later at Tim Ho Wan in Taiwan and Manila, Philippines, but those versions were far inferior compared to Fai Kei’s. So next time I come to Hong Kong, I will definitely visit Fai Kei again to savor that unparalleled mango pomelo sago flavor once more.

Fai Kei Dessert
Address: G/F, 92-93 Castle Peak Road, Sham Tseng Village, Sham Tseng, Hong Kong
Phone: +852 2496 9163

Xiao Sheng’s Wandering Journey
Every journey, every trip is about seeking. Though I’m not entirely sure what I’m looking for, in the end, I gain more than I ever imagined. So my wandering journey will continue onward, without end.