( CNN ) No need to worry about dinner conversation in this cafe , your meal buddy may not be able to speak -- or move , or eat . Hong Kong 's latest eatery , the Moomin Cafe , features Nordic cuisine and a host of stuffed dining companions to help banish the loneliness of solo diners . It 's the first overseas venture for a concept that 's already proved a hit in Japan . The Moomin Cafes are inspired by popular Finnish stories that depict the whimsical adventures of a family of white hippo-like characters and their friends . The Moomins was first published in 1945 in Finland but came to global attention after the creation of several television series , the most popular in the 1990s . Tokyo 's first Moomin Cafe opened in Tokyo in 2003 . Since then , three more have opened and six Moomin-themed coffee stands . The timing of the Hong Kong cafe 's opening could not be better -- this year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Moomin creator , Tove Jansson ( 1914-2001 ) . Japan 's original Moomin Cafe has been operating for over a decade , but its popularity only exploded earlier this year after its `` anti-loneliness '' concept went viral . Plush creatures . To save its lone customers from the awkward perils of solo dining , a plush Moomin character is brought over to the table as dining companion . `` I thought if people can stay and sit with Moomin characters like Moominmamma and Moominpappa ( parents in the Moomin family ) , it 'd be more interesting , '' says Mickey Kera , who came up with the cafe concept . But Hong Kong 's single diners may have to fight for an adorable meal buddy . `` Unlike Japan 's anti-lonliness cafes , Moomin characters will be placed at various tables and joining a Moomin character will be up to luck , '' says cafe spokeswoman Cindy Wu . Wu says the Hong Kong location will have three additional characters not featured in the Japanese outlets : Hattifatteners , Little My and Snufkin . Bringing Finland to Hong Kong . Though originating in Japan , the Hong Kong cafe tries to reflect Finnish lifestyle and cuisine . The Tsim Tsa Tsui venue is designed to look like a tradition Finnish house , with photographs of Finland and hand drawn artwork of Moomins . `` I love the venison soup stew , salmon milk soup and Jansson 's temptation ( baked potato with caramelized onion gratin ) , which are traditional Nordic dishes , '' says Kera . `` I really want to introduce Moomin and Finnish lifestyle to Hong Kong people . '' The cafe also serves Finnish traditional bread called Piirakka and Scandinavian salad with pickled herring , as well as a Nordic dish of salmon with goat cheese and basil . Exclusive only in this cafe . The Hong Kong restaurant features dishes not available in Japan , such as Moomin House Pancakes -- an impressive stack drizzled with cream and accompanied by a three-story ceramic Moomin house containing custard pudding , chocolate mousse and mango jelly . Sadly , you do n't get to take the Moomin house home , but diners ordering the Souvenir Mango Cup Pudding are allowed to keep the mug used to serve the dessert . In addition to the Moomin pancake house , coffee mugs and Moomin-shaped pasta are available at the souvenir store . Moomin Cafe Harbour City , LCX , Ocean Terminal , Tsim Sha Tsui , Hong Kong ; +852 2730 0963 ; open daily 11 a.m.-11 p.m. A separate pop-up store will open until January 4 , 2015 .
Japan 's Moomin cafe opens in Hong Kong where diners can sit with stuffed animals when dining . The Moomin cafe made to look like a Finnish house and garden in one of Hong Kong 's busiest malls . Nordic foods include venison stew , salmon milk soup and piirakka .