For its size, Yu Yuen sits inconspicuously at the end of a cul-de-sac in Tung Tau Wai, a fairly unremarkable village in Yuen Long, in Hong Kong’s New Territories. The grand, 2-story, European-style mansion has 8 bedrooms, and a fountain in its front yard. Its name means “entertainment garden” in Chinese. Yet, it's abandoned and vegetation is growing over its roof and balconies as nature slowly reclaims it. Although surrounded by village houses, car repair shops and parked cars, the house is seldom visited because of the stories surrounding it. Some say Yu Yuen was used by the Japanese army as a headquarters during the second world war, and that countless people were killed there. According to villagers, the descendants of the owner of Yu Yuen emigrated, leaving it abandoned. That’s when interior designer Sacha Yasumoto (inset) came into the picture. She is the founder of Dangerous Dinners, which runs events in abandoned Hong Kong properties. She saw potential in the old mansion and undertook a complete remodel. Now, Yasumoto hosts dinners featuring a 9-course meal, including poached foie gras with a Chinese marinade, whisky, fresh Sichuan green peppercorn sauce and tofu; smoked salmon crispy vermicelli rolls served with drops of sour cream, French caviar, salmon roe, and chive oil; and braised Wagyu beef cheek with port wine sauce, potato mousse and shaved truffle. For dessert, guests are treated to home-made dairy ice cream with shaved fresh truffle. The dinners are held to raise money for the various repairs that still need to be made, including the latest project: a new roof.
