Sichuan Chain Yu Chi Yu Tsui Closes All Stores Despite Budget Buffets
HK01 · 2 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Yu Chi Yu Tsui, a Sichuan cuisine brand under the Sad Spicy Rice Noodles restaurant group, will shut its final outlet in Causeway Bay this Saturday (August 22), marking its complete exit from the Hong Kong market. The brand, known for Chongqing-style grilled fish and spicy chicken hotpots, operated three branches at its peak across Causeway Bay, Ma On Shan, and Yuen Long. Despite launching promotional strategies including a $58 ten-dish buffet and an $118 grilled fish combo, the chain ultimately failed to reverse its fortunes.
Key Points
- The final Yu Chi Yu Tsui location in Causeway Bay's Golden Bazaar mall will close on Saturday, August 22, confirming the chain's full market withdrawal
- At its peak, the brand operated three branches in Causeway Bay, Ma On Shan, and Yuen Long, but two had already closed before the final shutdown
- The group introduced a $58 ten-dish buffet for adults and $49 for students as a survival strategy to attract more diners
- An $118 combo option offering both chicken hotpot and grilled fish on an all-you-can-eat basis was also launched
- The Sad Spicy Rice Noodles parent group still maintains approximately 10 outlets, while Yu Chi Yu Tsui has completely exited the market
Why It Matters
The closure highlights the intense competition and challenging conditions in Hong Kong's restaurant sector, even for established brands with authentic cuisine offerings. Despite deploying aggressive pricing strategies including affordable buffet promotions, medium-sized chains continue to face significant survival pressures amid rising operational costs and shifting consumer preferences.