When Meaghan Mulholland heard about a Hong Kong restaurant offering a unique style of service, she knew she had to try it, even if it did turn her stomach.
Until a few days ago, if you'd asked me to pick the restaurant industry's worst contribution to society, I might have chosen KFC's "Double Down" sandwich, or perhaps the aggressive marketing of Fast Food corporations towards children.
That was before I went to Modern Toilet Restaurant.
Yes, Modern Toilet Restaurant: a restaurant with a toilet theme. Picture a roomful of people slurping noodles out of toilet bowls, and you get the idea.
When I first heard about the place, I didn't believe it, either, so I took the Metro from my Hong Kong apartment to bustling Mong Kok one night to see for myself. Turns out the place not only exists, it's doing booming business; my husband and I had to wait fifteen minutes for a table. At last we were led to a glassed-over sink flanked by four brightly-colored toilet seats; the walls were of colorful tile, and the light fixtures shaped like plungers. When I spotted the signature dessert, "Marton #5" (from "matong," the Chinese word for toilet), a swirl of chocolate ice cream served in a miniature porcelain commode, I realized there was no turning back.
Until a few days ago, if you'd asked me to pick the restaurant industry's worst contribution to society, I might have chosen KFC's "Double Down" sandwich, or perhaps the aggressive marketing of Fast Food corporations towards children. That was before I went to Modern Toilet Restaurant.
Yes, Modern Toilet Restaurant: a restaurant with a toilet theme. Picture a roomful of people slurping noodles out of toilet bowls, and you get the idea.
When I first heard about the place, I didn't believe it, either, so I took the Metro from my Hong Kong apartment to bustling Mong Kok one night to see for myself. Turns out the place not only exists, it's doing booming business; my husband and I had to wait fifteen minutes for a table. At last we were led to a glassed-over sink flanked by four brightly-colored toilet seats; the walls were of colorful tile, and the light fixtures shaped like plungers. When I spotted the signature dessert, "Marton #5" (from "matong," the Chinese word for toilet), a swirl of chocolate ice cream served in a miniature porcelain commode, I realized there was no turning back.
The place is clearly a gag, a gimmick--which makes the fact that it's
lasted so long (since 2004), and now has thirteen franchises in Taiwan
and Hong Kong, all the more unsettling to me. It does have a festive
vibe--everyone laughing and taking pictures--but the novelty fades
fast. Yes, I laughed when our drinks arrived in
mini-urinals, garnished with twisty straws, but by the time my spaghetti in creamy
pumpkin sauce arrived (it's no coincidence that of the entrees at MTR
are mushy stews and "hot pots") I was feeling queasy. The key to
getting through this, I soon realized, was to not think; sure, this
went against everything I believe about mindfulness and
health-conscious eating - but those things had already flown out the
window when I set foot in the restaurant.While the assorted curries, burgers, and noodle dishes were passable--and affordable, with mains around 85-100 HKD ($10-12 US), and "snacks" and ice creams for $3-6, I'd never choose Modern Toilet over the countless other amazing dining options in Hong Kong, from authentic dim sum to SoHo's trendiest fusion gourmet. MTR's definitely not for the squeamish (or anyone who objects to bathroom humor), but if you're in Hong Kong and determined to experience it yourself, take my advice: order the funniest, grossest-looking thing on the menu, take the requisite photos, then flee to the nearest street stall for dumplings or BBQ duck and try to forget about the whole thing.
[Modern Toilet Restaurant]
[Hong Kong Travel Guide]
Photos: Andrew Hutson
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I appreciate your comment on the key to getting through this was NOT to think. I try to be mindful of what I eat but in this instance...flee is the correct answer. I enjoyed your article, funny and entertaining. Thank you!
That is one of the most ridiculous things that I have ever heard about. How can you take a restaurant with a toilet theme seriously.
@Tom: You don't.
Yeah, I can see how the novelty can fade after the first bite.
This is serious? And it's doing booming business? Once I got a look at the second pic with the 'chocolate ice cream' it was time to leave a quick comment here and go get some pudding! LOL
Some people might not appreciate that kind of restaurant because their appetite may lost thinking that they're eating or their food is inside a toilet bowl. But some would rather like it because of it's uniqueness and the theme is so weird. They might visit the restaurant more often because it's one of a kind.