The celebrated Korean tteokbokki (rice cake hotpot) chain Young Dabang has officially expanded its Hong Kong presence, debuting its second sprawling eatery in Causeway Bay’s iconic Times Square. Following a successful Hong Kong launch last year in New Town Plaza, Sha Tin, the new 2,200-square-foot location promises diners an authentic taste of Seoul through its signature customizable hotpots, unique new dishes, and a lineup of engaging opening celebrations. The latest branch features an expansive 86 seats and embraces a nostalgic, retro Korean café aesthetic, utilizing earth tones, wooden accents, and vintage posters to transport guests straight to South Korea.
Signature Lengthy Rice Cakes and Exclusive New Menu Item
Young Dabang has captured local attention primarily through its playful and generous approach to tteokbokki. The undisputed centerpiece of their offering is the 35cm extra-long rice cake, imported directly from Korea and lauded for its distinctively chewy and satisfying texture. These elongated rice cakes form the base of the build-your-own hotpots, which are generously filled with traditional components like fish cakes, quail eggs, fried dumplings, ramen, and fresh vegetables.
The restaurant offers five distinct broth bases, providing versatility for various palates: the classic YDB signature sauce, the trendy Korean rose sauce, the savory Korean black bean sauce (Jajang), the creamy carbonara sauce, and a unique Hong Kong-exclusive corn cream sauce.
To mark the opening of the Causeway Bay branch, Young Dabang has unveiled an exclusive new feature: the Jumbo Pork Back Bone Tteokbokki ($298). This hearty addition introduces tender, meaty pork spine bones into the flavorful hotpot matrix, providing a richer, more substantial dining experience available only at the Times Square location.
Customization and Culinary Creativity
Diners are encouraged to personalize their meals further with diverse additional toppings. These optional accompaniments include fish cake assortments, smoked beef brisket, seaweed glass noodle rolls, tempura shrimp, and crispy fried chicken. For those committed to maximizing flavor and starch intake, a beloved Korean tradition is offered: using the remaining hotpot sauce to create a rich, savory fried rice (Bipimbap) at the table.
Beyond the customizable hotpots, the menu features a selection of popular Korean comfort foods. The Signature Grilled Chicken is a notable highlight, slow-cooked and then glazed to lock in moisture, served alongside hand-cut potato chips. Other offerings include the rich, milky Beef Seolleongtang (ox bone soup), substantial Korean-style fat rolls (Gimbap), and traditional Korean pot rice (Bap).
Engaging Grand Opening Promotions
To celebrate their arrival in Causeway Bay, Young Dabang is hosting several interactive games and promotions, giving patrons opportunities to win prizes and discounts:
- Instant Photo Booth Experience: Guests spending $300 or more (before service charge) who follow the official Instagram page and like a specified post receive one complimentary “Bangju Photobooth Experience.”
- “Catch and Win” Game: Customers who like or follow the restaurant’s social media platforms can participate in “Eatsip Japfat.” Catching specific numbers of items rewards players with either a complimentary hotpot topping (3-5 items), a $250 dining discount (6-9 items), or a $500 discount (10 items).
- The Ruler Challenge: All dine-in customers can participate in a precision challenge. Those who accurately measure a length of exactly 35 centimeters with a provided ruler will win a limited-edition “Bangju Oppa” gift set. Participants who miss the target still receive a “Bangju Oppa” lollipop, ensuring every participant leaves with a celebratory item (while supplies last).
The new Young Dabang location is situated at Shop B110B, B1/F, Times Square, Causeway Bay. It operates daily from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM and can be reached at 2110 8819. The opening solidifies tteokbokki’s growing prominence in Hong Kong’s competitive dining landscape, providing a vibrant, social, and flavor-packed Korean culinary experience in the heart of the city.