Sportful Garden Restaurant to close Tseung Kwan O branch amid industry challenges

Fulum Group's Sportful Garden Restaurant will shutter its Tseung Kwan O location at Lohas shopping mall by August 20, marking another casualty in Hong Kong's ongoing restaurant closure wave.

The Chinese eatery's exit follows the mall's decision not to renew its lease, according to staff confirmation to Sing Tao Daily, The Standard's sister publication.

The impending closure was first revealed by a local resident on social media, with another user reporting receipt of a banquet refund from the restaurant.

Staff indicated operations would continue through next week before the final shutdown. The venue had been operating at the mall since its 2020 opening.

Community reactions to the news have been mixed.

Some residents attribute the closure to the restaurant's upscale positioning in an area with limited matching consumer spending power, while others cite perceived shortcomings in service and food quality. The location's relative isolation also drew criticism for failing to attract sufficient customers.

As speculation swirls about potential replacements, suggestions range from sushi chain Sushiro to much-needed supermarket options for the neighborhood.

Shifting market presence

Founded in 2002, Sportful Garden Restaurant built its reputation on mid-to-high-end Cantonese cuisine featuring premium ingredients like abalone and sea cucumber.

The chain gained particular recognition for its affordable all-you-can-eat hairy crab promotions, priced as low as HK$488 per person.

With this closure, the brand withdraws from the New Territories market, maintaining just four locations across Hong Kong - in Wan Chai, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok, and Kwun Tong.

(Phoebe Poon)