By Jane Corscadden

Copyright belfastlive

Meet the team behind a special noodle shop and café in South Belfast that is bringing an authentic taste of Hong Kong to the city. 316 Mein opened on Donegall Pass in April 2024, and specialises in spicy Sichuan soup noodles and popular Hong Kong style café drinks such as lemon tea and bubble tea. The café is the latest venture from Colin Wong, who has been working in the Chinese restaurant industry for almost 40 years, owning the old Emerald City on the Dublin Road and the much-loved Mandarin restaurant in the Ballyhackamore area. Speaking to Belfast Live , Colin said the idea for the restaurant came a few years ago when he was ill in hospital. He said: “I wanted to bring people something different than the usual chicken curry and fried rice. “I was seriously ill in 2021 and came up with the idea for the restaurant when I was in hospital. When I recovered I became involved in the Chinese Christian church. “I believe it was God’s plan for me, I was given a second chance. I wanted to give something back to the people of Belfast who have always supported me.” Looking back on his time in Northern Ireland and what he loves about the Donegall Pass area, Colin said: “I left school when I was 15 and started working in the Chinese restaurant business – I’ve been working in the industry for nearly 40 years now. “I moved to Northern Ireland and lived here in this area way back in 1976, I went to school around here. I think there’s a connection with quite a few Chinese people who are here now, with the businesses and supermarkets. I think it draws the community together and shows the beauty of Asian food to the local people here.” Colin said 316 Mein has seen a lot of interest on social media , with people sharing photos and videos of their visits, bringing a younger crowd to the shop. Barista at the restaurant, Sherman Tait, said they hope to offer something unique and new for the people of Belfast. Many of their most popular drinks are authentic Hong Kong café staples, including lemon tea and yuenyeung (half coffee and half tea), and she said she loves being able to introduce people to new flavours. They see many Asian students stopping by the restaurant for comforting meals while they are homesick, with Sherman hoping they can offer something for everyone. She said: “We have a lot of tourists, students, and local people who eat here. A lot of people love this area and I do too, we want to really promote this area and country.” Video by Belfast Live videographer Harry Bateman. For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.