Uncle Ben Coffee — Restaurant in Hong Kong Island

Most reviews of coffee roasters and coffee bars don't talk about the bean curation process for a roaster. It's a deep and involved process that goes deep down the coffee supply chain rabbit hole for those that choose to take the journey, and Uncle Ben has followed that rabbit to new territories in the experimental world.

But first, TL;DR—Uncle Ben is a fantastic spot for your milk-based coffee beverages. Those milk-based beverages come with stunning latte art that only befits a multiple award winning latte artist. Uncle Ben is also an exceptionally talented coffee roaster and hand pour over barista, extracting exquisite balance from the beans he has personally roasted and represents.

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Now the long version for those into Specialty Coffee.

Uncle Ben has chosen to curate not only some exceptional beans, but several different beans that is on the cutting edge of experimental coffee processing. These beans are still pretty rare in most of the world, as your mainstream coffee beverage customers aren't looking for coffee experiences, but just their usual every morning. The fact that Ben chooses to roast so many different experimental coffee is a delight. If I lived in Hong Kong, he'd be my regular weekly stop bean source.

I had the chance to enjoy 3 different beans brewed by Ben during my visit in HK, and brought back home several other beans. His roasting profile manages to not only hold intact the delicate florals and fruits of these beans, but also to maintain sweetness and body in the cup. That is a very fine dance in roasting, as many in the USA and in the EU have tilted towards ultra-light roasts that are floral, fruity, juicy, but have little body.

If you have the gear and skill, you're in a for a real treat if you purchase from Uncle Ben. If you want a sample of what's in store, DEFINITELY have a pour over or two from him and enjoy the experience through the "sweet" and "sour" cups you will be presented to take in the brew.

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It's a very wee shop, so please be patient as you await your turn to order from Ben, and expect to do a little dance getting in and around others who are also waiting for their drink.

If you'd like to chat with him about your drink, going there when it's outside of rush hours is always...

Ordered an iced Americano with a self-picked whisky-flavored coffee bean—a delightful surprise! The coffee revealed multiple layers: a smooth, rich body with subtle whisky notes that enhanced the natural acidity. The roasting and brewing craftsmanship truly shine, delivering a balanced cup with a clean finish and intriguing aromas. The extra $20 for bean selection was well worth it. Thanks for the staff patiently ask about your coffee preferences and recommend beans accordingly, making the experience very personalized.

Note: There’s no seating or menu in the shop.

How to get there: a short walk from exit B of Fortress Hill MTR station.

Definitely coming...

I had an unforgettable time. Uncle Ben nailed every detail of the specialty coffee experience—from the galore of bean options, roasting, extraction, customer service, drink quality, to the personality of the shop. This is easily one of my top three small coffee shop experiences of all time. Highly, highly recommend.

(Just want to mention that, as an ex-specialty coffee professional myself, I truly appreciate the amount of genuine care, time, and effort that have been invested in this business. Had I stayed in the industry, I would’ve loved to build something like this myself. Please keep up the...