The Coolest Months of the Year are the Hottest Times for Business at Ser Wong Fun.
Ser Wong Fun is a renowned restaurant known for its soul-warming dishes, particularly those made with snake. According to practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, snake is an ingredient that supposedly staves off the chill and nourishes the body. Gigi Paulina Ng, the current manager of Ser Wong Fun, is the great-granddaughter of the restaurant’s original founders. Ser Wong Fun was first opened in 1895 in Guangdong Province and later brought to Hong Kong by Ng’s grandfather and father in 1940. In 1989, it was relocated to its current location on Cochrane Street.
Ng’s Journey to Success
The youngest of six daughters, Ng had never planned on taking over the family business. She completed a master’s degree in business management and was working at a bank when her father was diagnosed with a serious illness. In response, Ng quit her job and decided to help out at the restaurant. Initially, she thought it would be only a short-term commitment, but now it has been 18 years. Taking on such a massive responsibility was a challenge for Ng, as she had no restaurant management experience. She had to earn the trust of the staff, which took a lot of time and effort.
Surviving Through Turbulent Times
In 2003, Ser Wong Fun faced one of its biggest challenges with the outbreak of Sars. Many people associated the virus with eating wild animals, which greatly affected the restaurant’s business. However, through hard work and dedication, Ng and her staff managed to overcome this difficult chapter. Ng’s perseverance and determination have allowed her to keep her family’s legacy alive. Even in this fast-paced, trend-obsessed city, Ser Wong Fun has maintained the original flavors and sentiments that have made it famous. As a testament to this, the restaurant has received Michelin’s Bib Gourmand distinction for nine consecutive years.
Preserving Tradition and Heritage
One of the secrets to Ser Wong Fun’s success lies in leveraging the restaurant’s age and reputation. As a 123-year-old establishment, Ser Wong Fun is deeply rooted in the traditions passed down through generations. Under Ng’s management, the restaurant has maintained all 178 dishes on its menu, exactly as they were served by her parents. The flavors remain unchanged, preserving the timeless essence that has delighted customers for decades.
Ser Wong Fun’s snake soup
Preserved Chinese sausage with chicken
Gigi Paulina Ng’s journey as the manager of Ser Wong Fun is an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs. Despite facing challenges and turbulent times, she has managed to keep the restaurant’s heritage alive while adapting to the ever-changing culinary landscape of Hong Kong. Ser Wong Fun continues to be a beloved establishment where patrons can savor the same flavors that have been enjoyed for generations.