ISSUE 86 | NOVEMBER 2016 | WWW.AFOODIEWORLD.COM
Essential Dining Guide to H ong Kong
The
After hours eats, boozy brunches, far out places, take the kids, and occasion dining
INTRO DU CTIO N
CEO Lily Ng CTO Derek Kean Editor-in-Chief Alicia Walker Editor-at-Large Celia Hu Digital Editor Stephanie Pliakas Junior Digital Editor Cheuk Fung Ng Art Director Jen Paolini Foodie Club & Events Manager Hannah Chung Director of Commerce Joseph Kwok Director of Sales Le Roux Louw
THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION: WHERE SHOULD WE GO FOR... Long have we been building up this round up of essential dining in Hong Kong. Within these pages is a curated and pared down list of the questions we often get asked to solve numerous dining dilemmas in the constantly evolving food landscape of HK. We have sorted them together as a keeper-compendium of many of the choices for whatever the criteria may demand. In occasion dining we have a bundle of great group spots and intimate romantic hideaways; a host of the big brunch offers; the best places to take your tummy when it is in need of a late, late night munch; restaurants the kids will love as much as you will; and a selection of eateries in far flung areas like Kwun Tong, Shatin, Lai Chi Kok and Fo Tan for those hunting for new eating Cover image courtesy of destinations. Duddell's
Sales Coordinator Cecilia Gui
Keep this one handy, you never know when it might come in use!
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Alicia Walker, Editor-in-Chief alicia@afoodieworld.com Published by Foodie Group Ltd., 1401 Wah Hing Commercial Building, 283 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, HK www.afoodieworld.com Printed by Teams Printing Co., Ltd.
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CON T ENT S
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Contents 04 FO R START E RS 09 OCCASI ON What’s happening around town DI N IN G and great events this month
05 FOODIE C LU B: M O MOJE IN'S 1 S T B I RT H DAY PART Y We joined the soju geniuses at MOMOJEIN to raise a glass
06 THE WINE & DI NE F E ST IVAL (P ROM OTIO N)
Kicking off this month is the annual extravaganza highlighting the best of wine and food with a series of events and showcases 02 afoodieworld.com
Where to go whether you’re with a big boisterous bunch or looking for a dreamy dining den for two
14 AF TER HOURS EATS When the dancing finally finishes and a new hunger has awakened
18 BOOZY BRUN CHES A round up of some of the best dining deals to spend langorous lunch hours over the weekend
14 24 TAKE THE KIDS More than just the children's menu, these places have something extra to offer the tiny tots
CO NTENTS
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28 FAR OUT PLACES If you're willing to travel, here are some eateries that are worth the trip
DID YOU KNOW: Hong Kong has one of the highest numbers of restaurants and cafĂŠs per capita in the world with one restaurant for every 600 people.
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FOR STA RT E RS
THIS MONTH'S HOTTEST NEWS BITES
MOI MOI SHOP THE BAZAAR Get that Christmas shopping underway with one of the most anticipated shopping events of the season. The 8th Annual KEE Club Holiday Bazaar brings together a hand picked selection of over 30 HK-based vendors across jewelry, clothing, interiors, accessories, skincare, candles, children's clothing, toys, and food, to give shoppers the complete gamut of choice to fulfill their every desire. Spanning both floors of KEE, with the bar area transforming into an all day "dim sum" bar, flowing mulled wine, minced pies and much more fun on the day. This year includes a collaboration with the wonderful Room to Read to provide a luxury bake sale featuring lush goodies from some of Hong Kong’s top pastry chefs including Four Seasons, The Peninsula, Cookieboy and more, with each cookie sold allowing the printing of three local language children’s books. Now that’s a great excuse for serious cookie purchasing. Wednesday, Nov 23rd, 11am-8pm KEE Club, 32 Wellington Street, Central, 2810 9000
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In the spot where our beloved Viet Kitchen used to live will come the exciting tastes from Luke Nguyen, the acclaimed Australian-Vietnamese celebrity chef with renowned restaurants Red Lantern and The Fat Noodle back in Oz. Moi Moi by Luke Nguyen is a partnership with the same group behind Home Eat To Live, Ee Da Le and My Tai Tai and will feature contemporary home-style Vietnamese fare. G/F, Nexxus Building, 41 Connaught Road, Central
HK'S FOOD HISTORY If you’re searching for the perfect gift for a fellow foodie, Hong Kong Food & Culture: From Dim Sum to Dried Abalone is a compendium of juicy information told through the taste buds of local restauranteurs and hawkers. Beautiful photography highlights this unique look at this city’s rich food history and includes handy Canto terms and Hong Kong-style recipes to try your hand at home. $360 available from select bookstores and manmomedia.com
FO O DIE CLU B
Momojein's First Birthday Party We joined the soju geniuses at MOMOJEIN to raise a glass in celebration of their first year on the Hong Kong dining scene, serving up Korean dishes with fabulous flavours and flair. On the 28th of September an excited bunch of fellow foodies flocked to meet celebrity chef Lim Hee Won, a renowned chef who has spent over a decade in the industry and crowned as one of the top star chefs on Korean cooking shows. His pin up good looks mixed with a down-to- earth nature and extreme passion for creating delicious cuisine have earned him a bevy of enthusiastic supporters back in Korea and his fangirl team has now extended to Hong Kong (and team Foodie). A little under a year ago, a full team of experts were flown in straight from Korea to create the contemporary, casual and all round beautiful space in QRE Plaza and they’ve been racking up the renown ever since. They marked that one year landmark with a celebration party that showcased the best of their dishes and soju cocktails. We dined on MOMOJEIN's signature kalbi hotteok, a delicious mix of minced beef deep fried in a sweet patty, as well as their portobello meatballs with tofu cream, Dakgangjeong (country fried chicken), beef rolls, grilled squid and brocolli with black garlic aioli. We washed down the rich flavours with sweet sips from sought-after soju label Moonbae Sool, made into soju mojitos and sour cocktails as well as an eclectic selection of fruit beers from grapefruit and grape to lemon and pomegranate. With such a great turn out of fans, foodies and funmakers, we wish that MOMOJEIN could turn one every week! 23/F, QRE Plaza, 202 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai afoodieworld.com 05
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Occasion Dining From romantic dinners Ă deux to exuberant group celebrations Alchemy
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O CCA SI ON DI N I N G
Cuore The Butchers Club
A LCHE MY Dining in the dark may sound gimmicky, but take away one of your senses and you and your dining partner will need to concentrate on the sound of each other’s voices in this pitch-black sensory eating experience – how romantic is that? Your senses of taste, smell and touch will be heightened as well, which is extremely alluring. We can guarantee that the food, prepared by French chef Pascal Breant, will be delicious and heavily textured, but the actual menu will not be revealed until you’ve finished your meal, adding to the overall mystery of the evening. LG/F, 16 Arbuthnot Road, Central, 6821 2801
A MI G O This grand ol’ boy has been open for nearly 50 years, making it one of Hong Kong’s most established eateries. The classic French food and wine, whitegloved waiters and luxurious decor (heavy on the dark wood and velvet) are just some of the reasons Amigo has endured for so long. Any companion you bring here will be mighty impressed – let the restaurant’s old-fashioned charm do all the wooing work for you. You can also strategically time your meal for a Wednesday evening and try your luck at the Happy Valley horse races afterwards. 79A Wong Nai Chung Road, Happy Valley, 2577 2202
THE B U TC HE RS CLUB PR I VAT E KITC HEN There’s one caveat to group dining here: make sure everyone is a devout carnivore. Groups of up to 16 people can chow down on this grand butcher’s Big Beef Experience. First, purchase a slab of meat to 10 afoodieworld.com
secure a reservation (the beef can then be dry-aged for your desired length of time). When it comes time to dine, your meal will consist of seafood and bone marrow starters, your custom dry-aged steak, dessert and a cheeseboard. Another fun option for groups is to book a private sausage-making or noseto- tail butchery class, which include dinner and free-flow tipples following the class. For all enquiries (including their secret Southside location), email events@butchersclub.com.hk
CORN E R K ITC H E N For a hands-on celebration, Corner Kitchen’s private cooking parties for 6–24 people are highly recommended. After preparing your meal from start to finish (select from pre-determined Spanish, French, Italian, Thai or Vietnamese menus), you can sit back and relax with a three-course meal showcasing your creations. If you’re feeling more competitive, opt for a Hell’s Kitchen-type culinary battle to make Gordon Ramsay proud, with your group split into teams. Pricing starts at $1,000 per person. Aprons at the ready! 21/23 New Street, Sheung Wan, 2803 2822
CULIN A RT A popular choice for groups and corporate events, Culinart’s industrial-yet- cosy private dining room, which can seat up to 40 people, comes complete with a fireplace and balcony, so you truly get the sense you’re dining at someone’s very fashionable home. The monthly-changing multi-course sharing menus present dishes that are both delicious and visually stunning and are a fusion of different cuisines and culinary techniques. 22/F, Kwai Bo Industrial Building, 40 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen, 2580 0919
O CCASIO N DINING
Hutong
GADDI'S
Gaddi's
CU O R E Chef Andrea Oschetti’s long-standing private kitchen is a little slice of Italy in Wong Chuk Hang. In his eclectic loft space adorned with bookshelves, reclining sofas, travel artefacts and plenty of natural light, Chef Oschetti offers fourcourse regional Italian menus, where the seasonal ingredients take the spotlight. Between 10 and 40 diners can be accommodated, at a cost of $780 per person, excluding drinks. The chef’s passion and charm translate into his beautiful food and inviting ambience, making a dinner here unforgettable. For further information or to make a booking, email andrea@cuoreprivatechef.com
T HE DRU NKE N P OT As the weather cools down a bit, we Hong Kongers love nothing more than sitting in front of a bowl of steaming hotpot, dipping meat, veggies and all manner of uncooked food items into the bubbling broth. With that in mind, super-cool The Drunken Pot is our top pick for groups who enjoy getting stuck in. There are lots of things to love it about it, but the highlights for us are the sake bombs that infuse the broth (and there are a myriad available here, with the option of up to five broths divided in one pot) with an extra kick of flavour, the premium cuts of beef, sliced ever so thinly, and the light bulbs that serve as drinking vessels. 2/F, 8 Observatory Road, TST, 2321 9038
This French fine dining stalwart, which opened in 1953 as the first restaurant in the East to serve Western haute cuisine, is where we recommend for dinners to impress – especially for birthday or anniversary meals with that special someone. No matter how many times we’ve dined here, the opulent dining room, dripping with Christofle candelabras, chandeliers and fine art pieces, never fails to take our breath away. The service, courtesy of waiters clad in white tuxes, is impeccable, matched only by Chef Xavier Boyer’s exceptional classic French cuisine. Take note: the restaurant politely suggests ‘elegant attire’ for dinner. 1/F, The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, TST, 2696 6763
THE HID D E N TA B LE Tucked away in a nondescript industrial building is this modernist private kitchen with fantastic views of lush green mountains and an open kitchen bubbling with tempting aromas. Owner and chef Nelson Chung creates tailor-made, highly personalised French-inspired menus based on guests’ preferences and the seasonality of ingredients that will knock your group’s collective socks off. We hosted a joint birthday dinner party here, and Chef Chung’s feast was cause for celebration in itself. 20/F, Harbour Industrial Building, 10 Lee Hing Street, Ap Lei Chau, 9029 9365
胡同 HUTO N G When we’re painting the town red with out-oftown guests, we always seem to make a booking at Hutong, both for the incredible views from the restaurant’s floor-to- ceiling windows and the wellafoodieworld.com 11
O CCA SI ON DI N I N G
LE MARRO N We’re always curious about the countless shops and restaurants that populate the towering office blocks of Causeway Bay, and Le Marron is one of the standouts. This bijou French private kitchen is world’s away from the hustle and bustle of Sogo and Times Square 12 floors below. Sliding doors and lace curtains separate the dining areas, making it feel all that more intimate. In addition to the well-curated wine list, Le Marron offers a no-charge BYO option. And for us, free corkage is synonymous with romance. 12/F, Ying Kong Mansion, 2-6 Yee Wo Street, Causeway Bay, 2881 6662 Corner Kitchen
executed Northern Chinese cuisine. The stunning, dimly lit restaurant, modern yet harkening to the hutongs (back alleys) of old Beijing, features clever traditional touches such as birdcages, bicycles, wooden doors and lanterns. Many of our favourite dishes veer towards the fiery (we love the spicy minced pork with lettuce and pine nuts), but there is also an array of dishes for those who prefer milder flavours. For a unique afternoon celebration, climb aboard Hutong’s red-sailed Chinese junk, the Aqua Luna, for their Feng Wei Brunch ($428 per person; +$200 for free-flow champagne and cocktails; kids under 12 are free). 28/F, One Peking, 1 Peking Road, TST, 3428 8342
J U MB O KING D OM It may seem tacky to some, but this floating behemoth, designed to resemble a Chinese imperial palace of yore, has been packing in the punters since its opening in the 1970s keen to experience this iconic landmark. Jumbo makes for a fun and kitschy choice for a group night out. There’s a grand fine dining Cantonese restaurant on the first floor, DragonCourt, with private dining suites that can seat up to 14 people, as well as grander function rooms that can accommodate hundreds of revellers. All reservation and banquet enquiries can be made through Jumbo’s website, www.jumbokingdom.com. Shum Wan Pier Drive, Wong Chuk Hang, 2553 9111 12 afoodieworld.com
LI TTLE C RE AT URE S The sheer size – 6,000 square feet – of this Aussie craft brewery makes it ideal for group wining and dining, with the comfy sofas in the back where you can plonk yourself for an uber-casual evening. All the beers, known for their distinctive, hoppy flavour profiles, are brewed on site, and they make for extremely easy drinking with the restaurant’s sharing plates of crispy chicken, grilled lamb chops and sausage and thin-crust pizzas. New Fortune House, 5A New Praya, Kennedy Town, 2833 5611
THE MA RKE T They may not be popular with bearded hipsters, but hotel buffets are always reliable choices when you’re dining out with a bunch of suitably minded foodie folk. Hotel ICON’s The Market buffet is our personal fave. The stylish open kitchens display a mouth-watering range of delicacies, from European-style breads, cheese and charcuterie, to Asian noodle dishes and curries, to mounds of fresh seafood, to desserts galore. We recommend taking extended breaks between courses in order to ensure you cover all this sprawling market has to offer. 2/F, Hotel ICON, 17 Science Museum Road, TST East, 3400 1388
POMEGRAN AT E K ITC H E N Started by Chef Maria Bizri five years ago, Pomegranate has two chic, minimalistic spaces in
O CCASIO N DINING
Wong Chuk Hang that can be hired out for private dinner parties. The Mediterranean menus have strong Middle Eastern influences owing to Chef Bizri’s personal and culinary backgrounds, and you can opt for family style or fine dining (a fivecourse fine dining menu will set you back $750 per person). If you’re planning a daytime celebration, Pomegranate’s brunch and high tea menus are utterly scrumptious – for something unique, go for the Lebanese brunch featuring our ultimate healthy brunch dish: fatteh (slow-cooked chickpeas in chicken broth with yoghurt tahini and buttered pine nuts, served over toasted pitta). The Ocean
4/F, Sing Tek Building, 44 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen, 2580 0663
T HE O C E AN Bewitch your dining companions with the spectacular underwater kingdom that is The Ocean, outfitted with built-in aquariums, chandeliers reminiscent of iridescent bubbles, coral-reefinspired furniture and palm trees swaying against the floor-to-ceiling windows. The multi-course degustation menu is just as whimsical, showcasing dishes from the Blue Lagoon (lobster with corn mousse, pine nuts and lime) to the Great Reef (black cod, potato purée, radish). Its beachside location completes its holiday-esque vibe. 3/F, Lobby A, The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay, 2889 5939
TA PA NT RY She’s since expanded her mini culinary empire to neighbouring maison ES, but private kitchen Ta Pantry is former model Esther Sham’s first love. Affectionately known as Chef Tata to her fans, Ta Pantry is elegant yet homey, with one communal table comfortably seating up to 20 guests in an open-kitchen setting. A range of Eastern and Western tasting menus are available, with prices starting at $650 a head. We recommend one that includes the chef’s signature Melting Onion Duck with its divine onion jus. 1 Star Street, Wanchai, 2521 8121
TRi Relax to the sounds of the sea while you dine in one of TRi’s romantic lotus-shaped bamboo pods, surrounded by a moat with trickling water and stepping stones. Besides being visually stunning, this Balinese restaurant also serves up a menu of enticing Indonesian delights to tempt the taste buds. If you fancy beachside sundowners before your meal or a seaside stroll afterwards, TRi’s got you covered. Bring all the most important people in your life here. Shop 302, 3/F, Lobby C, The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay, 2515 0577
TUN G PO This raucous local gem, a no-frills stall situated within a cooked food centre in North Point, is where to dine with more adventurous groups who are not afraid of getting their hands dirty. Tuck into seafood aplenty, including finger-licking clams steamed in lotus leaves, Tung Po’s infamous all-black squidink spaghetti with cuttlefish balls and deep-fried shrimp with garlic (the glistening, crispy-skinned roast chicken is also a must order). Anthony Bourdain is amongst this dai pai dong’s legion of fans, not only for the food but also for the owner’s hilarious Michael Jackson impersonations. Order as many dishes as you can stomach and bring lots of hand wipes. 2/F, Java Road Municipal Services Building, 99 Java Road, North Point, 2880 5224
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after hours eats New York may be the city that never sleeps, but Hong Kong is the city that always eats 14 afoodieworld.com
Back Bar
AFTER HO U R S EATS
Burger Joys
Brickhouse
BACK BAR
BURGER C IRCUS
You’ll find this cool speakeasy through a hidden door in the alley beside Ham & Sherry. Aside from their killer cocktails, if you’re dying for some chow, they do a menu of light bites until 2am on weekends that’ll power you through the hunger pangs.
This burger joint has a 50s-style American diner appeal serving up housemade sodas and milkshakes after an evening out on the town. USDA prime beef burgers, fries, onion rings and spicy jalapeño poppers all conveniently contained on Hollywood Road. The 80s soundtrack will keep the party going right up until 3am on weekends.
7 Ship Street, Wanchai, 2555 0628
BE I RU T No doubt you’ve walked by this long-standing Lebanese in LKF and seen many patrons enjoying a shisha on the terrace, but they also serve authentic middle Eastern cuisine right into the wee hours of the morning. If spicy lamb, velvety hummus, juicy shawarma and grilled halloumi are calling to your belly at 2am, this is the only place to sate that hunger. 27-29 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, 2804 6611
BRI C KH OU SE Freshly made guac with organic stone ground chips and a taco platter with fillings like ribeye, spiced pork belly, fish and cabbage, and chicken with black beans would sure hit the spot after a night on the tiles. This cooler-than-cool backstreet eatery keeps its kitchen open until 2am from Thursday to Saturday and midnight for the rest of the week to ensure you don’t go home hungry. 20A D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, 2810 0560
22 Hollywood Road, SoHo, 2878 7787
BURGER J OYS This vibey little 24/7 joint has a huge selection of burgers with interesting add ons like blue cheese, fried egg, jalapeno, and black truffle, to add a bit of kick to your patty. All day American breakfast, salads, wings, and milkshakes are also on offer, as well as a couple of mocktails if you want to sober up but feel like pretending you’re still going strong. Shop E, G/F, De Fenwick, 42-50 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, 2787 1288
CHEN G KE E C H IU C H O W If Tai Hang is where you like to hang, this casual Chinese resto is always buzzing right up until closing time at 1am. Their huge menu includes congee, goose, noodles, fish, oyster pancakes, and blood curds. If offal is what you hunger for, the food here is good, greasy and does the trick. 142 Tung Lo Wan Road, Tai Hang, 2578 8070 afoodieworld.com 15
AFTER HO U R S E AT S
French toast and coffee, follow your nose towards the sizzling bacon any old time. Open 24 hours, whether you find yourself falling out of Central or Wanchai, The Flying Pan will be there to fuel you in reaching your bed or carry you on through to the next all nighter. 9 Old Bailey Street, Central, 2140 6333
Ichiran
1/F, David House, 37-39 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, 2528 9997
CI AO C HO W
GREEN RIV E R
Bet you didn’t know this little Italian gem keeps its pizza oven stoked right up until 4am? Well it does, every Friday and Saturday. The rest of the week they are still going right up to 2am cooking up both thick and thin crusted pizzas made with the strict requirements that led to Ciao Chow being the first pizzeria in HK to be certified by the AVPN that ensures the art of Neapolitan pizza making is authentic. If a cheesy slice is calling your name and you’re near LKF, set your homing beacon to California Tower and let your nose do the rest.
Super fast service is the hallmark of Green River, serving up HK cafe-style foods like instant soup noodles, macaroni ham breakfast soup, eggs and garlic butter toast and milk tea. Open all the time, 24 hours, seven days a week, whenever your hunger calls and you’re in North Point.
California Tower, 30-32 D’Aguilar Street, Central, 2344 0005
CHI C KE N HOF A N D SOJ U Loud, bustling and serving up Korean fried chicken, 'nuff said? Many rave about the KFC here, but most of those recommendations will have come from those with taste buds affected by many a beverage, so should also be taken with a spoonful of salt. But you can’t deny this place racks up the queues around the block with its kimchee pancakes, soju cocktails (if you want to keep the party going) and pork ribs, and you can’t go too far wrong with fried chicken after midnight.
19A Fort Street, North Point
HIN G KE E The lip-smacking duck meat noodles at this late opening restaurant are the ultimate post-party grub. Their hand-cut noodles are insanely silky and require exactly zero chewing effort, which is important when motor-functions are radically depleted. This restaurant is actually famed for its typhoon-shelter crab, which although a tasty option, requires a bucket-load more work than you may be capable of in the late, late hour. 1/F Po Wah Comm Building, 180 Nathan Road, TST, 2722 0022
ICHIRA N
Kam Kok Mansion, 82-84 Kimberley Road, TST, 2375 8080
Another place that’ll never let you down is this 24 hour ramen shop. There’s little better than a bowl of soupy carbs and a slurping of their flavourful broth to restore balance to your foggy mind for the perfect post-clubbing ramen fix.
Shop C, Wah Fat Mansion, 405-419 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, 2176 4599
Shop H & I, Lockhart House, Block A, 440 Jaffe Road, Causeway Bay, 2152 4040
THE F LYING PAN
KOZY O KO N O M IYA K I TEPPANYAK I
When a night has gone on longer that you expected and breakfast is calling, with thoughts of eggs, 16 afoodieworld.com
This Japanese restaurant is run by Japanese owners
AFTER HO U R S EATS
with Japanese chefs, mastering traditional teppan cookery, which is constantly filled with Japanese customers. So, it’s good. Famed for their gooey cheese omelette as well as their okonomiyaki and yakisoba, if you want to treat your late night self(open til 4am from Monday to Saturday) to something authentic, this is your best bet by far. 9/F, Circle Plaza, 499 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, 2591 1281
來佬餐館 LOYAL DIN IN G Long the friend of the late nighter, Loyal Dining has a prime spot that makes it ideal for 3am snacks. If your party palate is up for the adventure that is Hong Kong western-style food like thick toast with condensed milk, spam and fried egg instant noodles, or char siu with foie gras, this is the place. It’s open until 4am on Friday and Saturday, and 2am every other party night. 66 Wellington Street, Central, 3125 3000
PA I SA N O' S P IZZERI A These massive cheesy triangles are available to soak up the booze until 1am on weeknights and 3am on weekends in their SoHo shop, whereas the Wanchai and Mongkok branches stay open ‘til midnight. 23 Hollywood Road, Central, 2544 4445
SAN H I NG Opening at 3am Monday to Sunday, San Hing is the best after-hours Cantonese joint. The clientele is a mixture of the inebriated and the elderly (though not typically inebriated elderly) and offers a quintessential Hong Kong dining experience. Their dim sum comes without frill but everything is freshly made and heaped into a giant bamboo dim sum mountain. They also do a damn fine custard bun that should never be missed. Shop C, 8 Smithfield Road, Kennedy Town, Western District, 2816 0616
T S U I WAH This is the kind of obvious favourite that we probably need not mention, but we’re going to
Loyal Dining
because of the shrimp noodles with XO sauce. It doesn’t matter if it is 2am or 6am because their doors are always open to serve up what will make you feel good. G-2/F, 15-19 Wellington Street, Central, 25256338
WAGY U LO UN G E Late night partying need not be a hungry affair, this old dancing fave offers a late-night menu of munchies. It’s posh fare like tuna ceviche, saltcrusted wagyu strips and platters of fruit, cheese and antipasti. Hollywood Commercial House, 3-5 Old Bailey Street, Central, 2522 1438
WON PU N G WO N There’s something so great about a hit of kimchi in the wee hours of the morn, which is why if you’re wandering home from TST, this Korean, open until 4am every day, is the place to use their bulgogi to mop up a belly full of beer. Valiant Commercial Building, Prat Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2721 8730
Y UEN H IN G You want your hit of congee and another beer to boot, Yuen Hing’s got you covered. Sit inside or out, chow down on fried rice, noodles and milk tea and sweat out the booze. 34-36 Gilman's Bazaar, Central, 2545 2219 afoodieworld.com 17
Boozy Brunches
Brunch + free flow = a HK institution 18 afoodieworld.com
Aberdeen Street Social
BO OZY BRU NCHES
Blue: Butcher & Meat Specialist
AB ER D E E N ST R E ET SOCIAL British chef Jason Atherton’s bright and breezy all-day diner presents its à la carte brunch menu in both its ground-floor café (complete with its lovely al-fresco dining area) and more intimate restaurant upstairs. Wherever you choose to park yourself, the dishes won’t disappoint. You can opt for relatively healthy – think bircher muesli, avocado on toast and quinoa bowls – or calorific but worth it: truffle mac ’n’ cheese, lobster Benedict and pulled lamb sourdough pizza. Alongside your brunch, Ab Street’s cocktails make for mighty fine sipping. PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, 2866 0300
AKR A M E & AT E L I E R VIVANDA These clean and cool Wanchai neighbours are the brainchild of young French wonder chef Akrame Benallal. Michelin-starred Akrame is the finedining big brother, offering a Sunday brunch menu ($480 per person), where seasonal ingredients are the stars of the show. His soft-boiled egg/corn dish is a stunner, intriguingly topped with popcorn and red shiso. Free-flow drinks packages include G.H. Mumm (+$200) to Perrier–Jouët champagne (+$300). Pop a few oysters, too, at a discounted price of $248 for half a dozen or $398 for a full 12. Laid-back Atelier Vivanda’s monthly-changing brunch menu ($398 per person; 50% off for kids under 12) is a multi-course Gallic treat. We’re especially fond of the homemade bread basket (the pain au chocolat is to die for) and the unlimited starters for sharing – on our visit we sampled a
Akrame
sensational smoked beef that paired well with slivers of aged Comté. For the main course, take your pick from one of the restaurant’s signature grilled meats accompanied by unlimited portions of house potato specialities, while dessert features all-you- can-eat portions of French treats such as madeleines and crème brûlée. Free-flow drinks (+$118 for beer, +$138 for house wines or +$198 for Delamotte Brut champagne) can be added. 9B Ship Street, Wanchai, 2528 5068 9A Ship Street, Wanchai, 2109 1768
BLUE: BUTC H E R & MEAT SPEC IA LIST Blue (formerly known as Blue Butcher)’s beloved weekend brunch is back with a vengeance, showcasing a new menu, an extensive free-flow package and live music every Saturday and Sunday. The starters and desserts are served buffet style (from Blue’s infamous pan-fried- to-order foie gras station and seafood on ice to daily cakes and create-your- own crêpes), while diners will be spoilt for choice with the main course offerings, including the restaurant’s tender, juicy, well-flavoured steaks. afoodieworld.com 19
BOOZY B RU N CH E S
may be, be gentle with the buffet (juices, breads, cheese, charcuterie, salads, seafood and tapas), as there are sandwiches – the toasted ham and cheese ‘bikini’ scented with truffle is justifiably famous – egg dishes and bigger plates of suckling pig and salt-crusted whole fish to follow. A sweets buffet overflowing with cakes, pastries, churros and more is the next challenge. Add $230 for free-flow sangria and cava or +$1,588 for unlimited Krug Grand Cuvée.
Catalunya
The $390 price tag offers lots of bang for your buck, with free-flow Laurent-Perrier champagne, house wines and beer and select cocktails available for an extra $280 a head. Stop by the new ground-floor butcher shop post-brunch to take home a prime cut for your supper. 108 Hollywood Road, Central, 2613 9286
CA R B ONE Channel your inner Don Corleone with Foodie fave Carbone’s raucous Italian-American weekend brunch celebration, The Fiasco, featuring live music and Rat Pack glamour aplenty. The menu includes multiple courses of Carbone’s specialities, including steak Diana, spicy rigatoni vodka (our death-island dish) and NYC-style lemon cheesecake, all served family style and washed down with a steady stream of wine from the restaurant’s cellar. The damage? $1,000 per person, with two free-flow options: +$400 for unlimited Prosecco and house wines or +$600 for Ruinart champagne and the restaurant’s signature cocktails. Carbone’s definitely made us a brunch offer we can’t refuse, right, Vito? 9/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central, 2593 2593
CATA LUNYA DJ in the house! Brunch at this grand Spanish bar always feels like gate-crashing a fiesta – the ambience is that fun. Available on Sundays at $630 per person, Catalyuna’s brunch spread is a force to be reckoned with. However tempting it 20 afoodieworld.com
Guardian House, 32 Oi Kwan Road, Wanchai, 2866 7900
DUDDELL' S Here’s where to take those out-of- town-guests whom you want to impress with a local touch: two-Michelin-starred Duddell’s Weekend Salon Brunch ($480 per person including free-flow juices and soft drinks; $250 for kids below 10). Showcasing dim sum in all its glory, Chef Siu Hin Chi’s dumplings, spring rolls and buns are fresh, well executed and plentiful, and bigger plates (sweet and sour pork and sautéed shrimp with chilli, for instance), rice and noodle dishes and traditional Cantonese desserts are part of this contemporary Chinese restaurant’s all-you- can-eat deal. The lush and leafy outdoor terrace is another draw, as are the additional free-flow options ($680 for Veuve Clicquot, wine and signature cocktails or $2,380 for unlimited Krug Grand Cuvée). 3/4 and 4/F, Shanghai Tang Mansion, 1 Duddell Street, Central, 2525 9191
ÉPURE Chef Nicolas Boutin’s fine-dining French spot is always a treat, but dining here for weekend brunch feels even more decadent. The three- and fourcourse menus are pure luxury, spotlighting many of the chef’s signature dishes. We can personally vouch for the delicate house-smoked salmon starter and seafood vol-au- vent main course (with the flakiest, butteriest puff pastry imaginable). For dessert, the molten chocolate cake and caramelised mille-feuille are worthy contenders, but for us it’s all about Épure’s artisan cheeses from their very own cellar. Priced at a relative bargain $398 for three courses and $438 for four courses, all-you-
BO OZY BRU NCHES
can drink sparkling wine or champagne is also on the menu (+$238–358; two-hour time limit). Shop 403, 4/F, Ocean Centre, Harbour City, 3 Canton Road, TST, 3185 8338
G AU CHO Get that stopwatch ready with Argentinian steakhouse’s Gaucho’s recently unveiled two-hour Bottomless Brunch on Sundays – warning: the timer starts from the moment you place your drink order. The standard brunch features an endless supply of food with all-you- can-drink juices, soft drinks and cocktails ($450 per person), while the champagne option ($650 a head) is all of the above plus Veuve Clicquot champagne and a selection of cocktails, wines and beer. Dishes include eggs Benedict, blueberry pancakes, steak and eggs and baked chorizo with plum tomato, egg and mushroom. 5/F, LHT Tower, 31 Queen’s Road Central, Central, 2386 8090
G I A N DO Chef Gianni Caprioli’s elegant dining room is the setting for an awesome Italian weekend semibuffet brunch affair (prices starting from $288). Begin with either unlimited servings from the brunch counter, where fresh Italian cheeses such as burrata, mozzarella and straciatella are king, or opt for a stand-alone appetiser. Main courses include lighter options like lobster salad and beef carpaccio or Chef Caprioli’s standout pastas and risottos if you’re in a more carb-heavy frame of mind. Add a little sparkle to your brunch with two hours of freeflow Prosecco for an additional $158 or sparkling wine for $208. Tower 1 Starcrest, 9 Star Street, Wanchai, 2511 8912
T HE GRIL L We always feel like we’re on holiday when we’re brunching poolside here. It’s a great place to take little ones, and you won’t have to worry so much about the decibels involved. This buffet extravaganza ($538 for adults and $269 for children) includes salads, seafood on ice, breakfast-y egg-centric dishes, grilled meats and
Issaya Siamese Club
seafood – your kids will adore the hot dogs and burgers – and a bevy of desserts. For a supplement of $218, drink glass after glass of sparkling and other wines,beer, soft drinks and select cocktails (make ours a mimosa, please...). 11/F, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Road, Wanchai, 2588 1234
I SSAYA SIAM E S E C LUB This colourful, vibrant Bangkok import’s semi-buffet weekend brunch is a spice lover’s dream: Issaya’s signature appetiser and dessert buffet, oysters (limited to two per diner), a choice of main course served with Chiang Mai mushroom rice and coffee or tea. We recommend the sea bass glazed with red chilli or the beef short ribs in panang curry for that perfect sweet and spicy profile that Thai cuisine is known for. Add $238 for free-flow G.H. Mumm champagne. There’s a chilled al-fresco terrace to boot. 25/F, Soundwill Plaza II – Midtown, 1 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay, 2154 3048
J I N J UU If your hangover’s not too hideous, you can continue right where you left off the night before with Jinjuu’s Weekend Soju Brunch. For $380 a head ($250 for kids aged 4–12), diners will get to indulge in a scrumptious Korean buffet, free-flow sparkling and house wines and a range of cocktails, afoodieworld.com 21
BOOZY B RU N CH E S
LA VAC H E !
Kaum
Korean beer and soju spirits. Bibimbap, japchae noodles, bulgogi and Chef Judy Joo’s acclaimed fried chicken are some of the buffet highlights. Shell out only $50 extra to get unlimited glasses of Louis Roederer Brut NV champagne. UG/F, California Tower, 32 D’Aguilar Street, LKF, Central, 3755 4868
K AU M Part of the lifestyle branch known as Potato Head, so-hip- it-hurts Indonesian restaurant Kaum has rolled out a weekend brunch menu ($395 a head) with unlimited starters (and oh how we love Kaum’s gado gado – a blanched veggie salad smothered in an addictive peanutty dressing – and chicken satay), followed by a choice of main course (perhaps nasi goreng or mie gomak, spicy fried noodles with grilled chicken) and dessert (fresh fruits take centre stage here). Veuve Clicquot champagne, house wines, soft drinks and Kaum’s explosive Indo Bloody Mary can be added for an additional $195. 100 Third Street, Sai Ying Pun, 2858 6066
L A PA LO MA Plate after plate of tapas. Segovian-style suckling pig. Paella served tableside. Made-to-order churros. All for only $250 per person, with the option of free-flow cava (+$160) for those who are in the mood for a tipple (or two) with their feast. We’re big fans of chefs Willy Trullas Moreno and Alex Fargas’ buzzy Spanish restaurant, and this supremely affordable weekend brunch menu gives us another reason to make repeat visits. 1/F, Soho 189, 189 Queen’s Road West, Sai Ying Pun, 2291 6161 22 afoodieworld.com
We’re suckers for steak frites, so we always mark our calendar for La Vache!’s Le Disco Brunch, held on the first Sunday of the month. The $488 price tag includes unlimited serves of the bistro’s famous USDA Prime rib-eye and golden fries, plus baguette and butter and a green salad. Wash it all down with La Vache!’s featured brunch cocktail and free-flow house wines. This is one spot where it definitely pays not to eat and run– the house DJ will be spinning away all afternoon. 48 Peel Street, SoHo, Central, 2880 0248
LI LY & B LO O M Expect ginormous servings and comfort food to the max with L&B’s All American Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. The price is $495 per person – to include free-flow select brunch-y cocktails, tea or juice – and includes a buffet loaded with salads, charcuterie, cold seafood and made-to-order omelettes. But it’s with the blackboard specials that the fun really begins. An endless flow of five dishes (blueberry pancakes! brioche French toast! fried chicken and biscuits!) will be brought right to your table. It’s okay to be lazy – it’s brunch we’re talking about... 5/F and 6/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central, 2810 6166
THE PAW N Michelin-starred British chef Tom Aikens’ The Pawn offers two enticing weekend brunch options. In the first-floor indoor-outdoor bar space, the Botanicals Brunch set menu is a straightforward affair: $288 per per person for two starters and a choice of main course ($150 for kids up the age 12, with one main). Supplement with a cocktail or two from the impressive Tripples menu, characterised by their flavour profile. On the second floor, the Kitchen presents two options: $498 per person with free-flow soft drinks, orange juice and smoothies or $598 to include unlimited Moët & Chandon champagne, Bloody Marys, house beer and wine, cider, bottled water, coffee and tea. On the food side, dig into a selection of starters for sharing and a choice of main course and dessert. The pudding
BO OZY BRU NCHES
range is particularly mouth-watering; for us, it’s a toss-up between the chocolate and caramel tart and the sticky toffee pudding. Kids aged 12 and under eat free (one child per adult). 62 Johnston Road, Wanchai, 2866 3444
P I C NI C O N FO R BES On the first Sunday of the month, make a booking at Chef Philippe Orrico’s casual-chic Picnic for the restaurant’s brand-new Picnic Jazz Brunch, where, yep, there will be live jazzy tunes in addition to the moreish three-course menu ($630 for two, to include two glasses of champagne; free-flow house beers, wines and champagne at an additional $190 a head). Begin with an assortment of sharing appetisers – with the oysters shucked live right before your greedy little eyes – before moving on to the main course of roast free-range chicken served with fries and salad and a selection of desserts to follow.
Saint-Germain
38 Forbes Street, Kennedy Town, 2855 0810
SAI NT- G E RMAIN Paris comes to the Valley with this cosy openfronted brasserie. We say oui, oui to the weekend Le Brunch menu, with à la carte dishes ranging from muesli with berries and yoghurt ($108), to French toast with honey and vanilla ice cream ($118), to croque-monsieur with fries and salad ($128). Diners have the option of adding free-flow house wines ($248) or Ayala champagne ($388).
Zuma
ZUMA
A real push-the-boat out experience for its spectacular harbour views, the Sunday brunch at ToTT’s is a decadent treat. The sumptuous spread is seemingly never-ending, with stations dedicated to seafood on ice, sushi and sashimi, seasonal hot dishes, roast prime rib with all the trimmings, artisan cheeses, desserts and oh-so- much more. Price: $698 per person including free-flow Veuve Clicquot champagne.
With their brand-new Cristal Brunch launching on 5 November, featuring free-flow Louis Roederer Cristal 2009 champagne at $1,888 a head. Guests can also opt for the Louis Roederer Brut free-flow package for $650 including Zuma’s signature innovative cocktails. Chef Samuel Wilkes has crafted a seasonally evolving menu to pair with the sensational bubbly, with the likes of Beluga caviar, roasted lobster with shiso butter and ponzu and A5 Wagyu alongside old faves such as miso-marinated black cod, spicy beef tenderloin and grilled back pork ribs. If you’re not ready for all this change, Zuma’s previous brunch packages at $490 and $590, to include beer, wine, sake and ice tea, are still available. Brunch can now be booked in twohour sittings on Saturdays and Sundays between 11am and 3pm, with a smart casual dress code also introduced.
34/F, The Excelsior Hong Kong, 281 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, 2837 6786
5/F and 6/F, Landmark, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, 3657 6388
1A Wong Nai Chung Road, Happy Valley, 2836 6131
TOTT ' S & ROO F TERRACE
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take the kids If you’ve got chiddlers to feed, these are the best places to ensure you’ll actually get to eat too 24 afoodieworld.com
CRFT PIT
TAKE THE KIDS
AM A L FITANA This charming pizza place opens right onto the beach and serves up slices of some of the best authentic Italian pies you’re likely to find Southside. For the adults, there’s all kinds of variations of negronis and limoncello and a beachside view that’ll take care of you all day. Shop 105, G/F, The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay, 2388 7787
BUTCHE R & BAKER CAF É If you’re in K-Town and you’ve got kids in tow, this place ticks all the boxes. Enjoy delicious grass-fed beef burgers (chopped up in the adjacent butcher shop), lamb chop lollipops, pizza and pork belly within the cool confines of this cosy, hipsterfied (yup, there’s an authentically rusted bicycle out front) eatery that opens from 7:30am daily. Plus, there’s a kid’s area with a ping pong table, wall games and mini ship helms for your kids to steer you through a calm dining experience. On Fat Building, 57-59 Cadogan Street, Kennedy Town, 2591 0328
C A F É CAU SE TT E It may be at the Mandarin Oriental, but they welcome the little ones here too. With a special kids’ menu, colour pencils and activity packs, you can enjoy a meal, or even a spot of afternoon tea, all with your very civilised children in tow. 5 Connaught Road Central, 2825 4005
C R F T PIT It’s the outdoor terrace and picnic-style tables that land this one here in the kid’s section. Oh and the sausages and ribs, which smaller beings tend to flock towards, especially if they happen to be on their parents’ plates. This Texas-style barbecue joint serves only grass-fed beef and contains a dry-aging room and rotisserie smoker to inject a good dose of flavour into its meat dishes. Kids have space to move and wander while parents enjoy a drama-free day. Unit 2, 3/F, Harbour Industrial Center, 10 Lee Hing Street, Ap Lei Chau, 2476 2800
Cali-Mex
CALI-M E X With locations all over the city, you’re never too far from a taco fix for your fam. The colourful décor will appeal to the tiny tots while the homemade tortillas and plethora of veggies will appeal to parents trying to keep it healthy. Kid’s meals include a flavoured coconut water for a great mindful choice for the small ones. Several locations across Hong Kong
DAN RYA N ' S After the much-lamented closing of the Pacific Place branch, you’ll have to head over the harbour to get your dose of this Chicago Grill. From the paper tablecloths for creative colouring to the basket of bread and muffins that arrive at the table at the same time as you do, plus balloons on keychains when you leave, this place is that ultimate easy choice for parents looking to feed their minions. Shop OT315, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, 17 Canton Road, TST, 2735 6111
THE DI N E R Proper American milkshakes, mac n’ cheese balls, balloons, table jukeboxes, rad high chairs (didn’t even know a high chair could be rad until now), child-friendly television, and a car you can sit in. This afoodieworld.com 25
TAKE T HE K I D S
like that uber-famous cat herself, and devotees will love it, whether they will want to eat it or not is another matter. Lee Loy Mansion, 332-338 Canton Road, Yau Ma Tei, 8202 8203
JAMI E' S ITALIA N No kid’s list would be complete without a mention of the chef that really knows what kids want (and what their parents want for them). Probably the best kid’s menu in Hong Kong, smaller sorts can choose from healthy options that are served up in a stimulating style with shake 'em salads, baby beef burgers and proper picnic boxes. Both locations are great but we prefer Harbour City for the large terrace to chill out on. Shop 412, Level 4, Ocean Centre, Harbour City, TST, 3758 3333 Ura Japanese Delicacy
J IN J UU isn’t where you go for healthy eats, this is where you go when your kid did something awesome and you want to make their eyeballs pop out of their head when they see the tower of onion rings and gigantic root beer float coming their way. 4-8 Arbuthnot Road, Central 2562 3181
This modern Korean has newly unveiled their kids’ menu that includes kimchi fried rice, fish goujons, chicken lollies and beef tacos. A modified take on the usual child menu items that’ll have them well fed but still taking their palates for a little adventure. UG/F, 32 D’aguilar Street, Central, 3755 4868
F R I T ES This Belgian bistro beer-hall works great for parents and kids because they have one of Hong Kong’s largest selections of beer, big portions of European dishes like mussels and fries and a big play area Saturday and Sunday in all their four locations (with a rotation of different festivities and entertainment depending on the time of year) to plonk the kidlets while you have some grown up time.
LI N GUIN I F IN I Hit up this pizza joint for their tiny happy hour that extends from Monday to Friday from 4-7pm where any kid under 12 will dine for free with a parental purchase from the menu. Mini grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup or single (massive) slice pizza with a little portion of real dough to play with while they eat.
Several locations across Hong Kong
49 Elgin Street, SoHo, 2387 6338
H E L LO KITT Y C H I N ESE CU ISINE
PI ZZA E XPRE SS
If your kids are fans of the cute, you can’t get much more of it than sandwiched between the walls of this Sanrio sanctuary. Buns, dumplings, artfully shaped rice, gelatin desserts, fruit bowls, it all looks 26 afoodieworld.com
It’s just the dough balls that make this one a necessary addition to the list. If you want your kids to eat, and you want to feel comfortable, you can’t go wrong here. Several locations across Hong Kong
TAKE THE KIDS
Amalfitana
RO S I E JE AN'S C AFÉ
SUPERS TAR
If you want a place that has a playground right there within the grounds of the restaurant, Rosie Jean’s is the only choice. This café looks miniscule from the outside but step through its deceptive doors and you’ll discover the full scale play equipment that will occupy the tots long enough for you to devour something from their mindful menu of breakfast and lunch dishes.
Choose any Chinese restaurant and it will be family friendly because that’s the way they are made. Superstar also does cutesy buns that look like pandas and clown fish but are most famed for their seafood. It’s also a proper old school round table setting with a busy, vibrant atmosphere perfect for drowning out the little ones louder noises.
119 Caine Rd, Mid-Levels, 2549 9718
B/F, Wilson House, 19-27 Wyndham Street Central, 2628 0826
SE A S AHOY
URA JAPA N E SE D E LIC AC Y
The whole restaurant is sea-themed here and includes a play area as well as a full menu of things little sailors will love with the usual pizzas and pasta but also plenty of seafood dishes to sink their little teeth into.
This cool Japanese has a large soft play area with rain cover that is just perfect for enjoying a meal with toddlers in tow. Not to mention the sashimi, udon and Kurobuta on the menu.
Mirror Tower, 61 Mody Road, TST East, 3956 5300
2/F, The Wellington, 198 Wellington Street, Sheung Wan, 2111 9381
SO C I A L P LAC E
Y UM CH A
Another quirky dim sum option, they serve up everything here in a cool, contemporary way but still has that buzzy vibe that every Cantonese place worth its salt does. They even have dim sum workshops if your kids are older so they can learn to make pig buns, floret rose buns and rabbit shrimp dumplings.
Kids' faces will ignite at the sight of these cute, and kinda gross, little buns that erupt luminously coloured fillings from their pudgy mouths when poked strategically with a chopstick. A place that positively encourages playing with your food. 2/F, Nan Fung Place, 173 Des Voeux Road Central, 3708 8081
2/F, The L. Place, 139 Queen’s Road Central, 3568 9666 afoodieworld.com 27
FAR OUT PLACES
If you're willing to travel for your next meal, there are some cool eateries in far flung areas 28 afoodieworld.com
Tikitiki Bowling Bar
FAR O UT PL ACES
黑羊餐廳 BLAC K SHEEP Our top pick after a day of hiking Dragon’s Back, Black Sheep has satisfied hungry diners with their simple yet delicious pizzas for years. Cool down with a frosty glass of beer, and slather roasted garlic cloves over bread while waiting for their famous pies. 452 Shek O Village, Shek O, 2809 2021
O NE T H IRT Y O NE Tucked away in Three Fathoms Cove, this rustic three-storey Mediterranean-style house has been a popular venue for weddings, largely thanks to its ocean views and romantic, private ambiance. The menu focuses on contemporary European cuisine, with fresh produce sourced whenever possible for neighbouring farms. There’s even a small helicopter pad and private mooring for yachts for those who want to make a grand entrance. 131 Tseung Tau Village, Shap Sze Heung, Sai Kung, 2791 2684
六福菜館 LOAF ON Don’t be fooled by the name, this isn’t a bakery. Loaf On is a renowned Chinese seafood restaurant specialising in Cantonese cuisine blissfully situated a side street away from the touristy seafood shops along the promenade. The restaurant received a Michelin-star in 2015, and is loved by locals for its high quality dishes. We adore the juicy scallops, steamed in the half shell with vermicelli smothered in savoury garlic sauce. The staff are also very friendly, and go above and beyond to accommodate families with young children. 49 See Cheung Street, Sai Kung, 2792 9966
T I K I TI KI BOWL IN G BAR There’s something for everyone at this quirky establishment. It's a maddening mix of casual restaurant, fine dining, bowling alley, bar, and kids’ party venue. Confused? So are we, but it’s rather good fun, especially after a few drinks at the tiki bar. 4/F, Centro, 1A Chui Tong Road, Sai Kung, 2657 8488
Sai Kung Harbour
MAVERIC K S This laid-back beach front hangout is equal parts beach bar, surf shack and casual diner. Created by Austin Fry, who was the original chef at Brickhouse, the easygoing menu is filled with crowd pleasers such as loaded nachos, burgers and fish and chips. Live DJ performances and the funky modern murals by local Hong Kong artists add to the cool factor. Pui O Beach, Lantau Island
WAH KE E Just a short ferry ride away, the Mui Wo Cooked Food Centre offers a colourful assortment of fresh seafood options. Head to Wah Kee, situated at the food centre, for delicious seafood dishes that are easy on the wallet. Popular dishes include salt and pepper squid and crunchy noodles topped with juicy prawns. Mui Wo Cooked Food Center, Lantau Island, 2984 1665
中國熊 CH IN A B E AR Situated next to the ferry terminal, China Bear has been serving up casual pub favourites for years. Cool down with chilled brews, or glasses of Sauv Blanc while munching on burgers. It’s the perfect spot to catch some breeze while overlooking the beach before boarding the boat. Mui Wo Centre, 3 Ngan Wan Road, Mui Wo, Lantau Island, 2984 9729 afoodieworld.com 29
FA R O U T P L AC E S
Mavericks
橫水渡小廚 TAI O CROSSI N G
B OAT R E STAUR AN T This local favourite is perhaps one of the best established restaurants in the little village of Tai O, famed for its picturesque stilt houses and meandering waterways. The menu is classically Cantonese with renowned staples such as roast goose, fried fish cakes and lotus rice steamed with seafood in bamboo steamers. A great place to taste authentic local cuisine while visiting Tai O. 33 Kat Hing Street, Tai O, Lantau Island, 2985 8343
TA I O LO O KOU T Dining here comes with a slice of history. Located in Tai O Heritage Hotel, the entire structure underwent a massive facelift in 2009 that transformed it from the former police station to a beautiful colonial hotel. The restaurant resides under a soaring glass roof inset in dark wood, with stunning views of lush foliage and shoreline. Specialities include the pork chop bun marinated with the local shrimp paste, and fried rice made with the same paste. 1/F, Tai O Heritage Hotel, Shek Tsai Po Street, Tai O, 2985 8383
THE B E AC H HOUSE Dine mere steps from sandy shores to the peaceful lullaby of crashing waves. The Beach House is an open-air restaurant spanning Lower Cheung Sha Beach. A perfect spot for a quick bite or a romantic 30 afoodieworld.com
dinner, the menu is full of tantalising options ranging from buckets of tiger prawns to mushroom risotto, to seared rack of lamb. There’s also a kidfriendly menu to appease little foodies. 32 Lower Cheung Sha Village, South Lantau, 2504 4788
LAMMA RA IN B O W Lamma is well known for great hiking and its row of rustic seafood restaurants hoisted on stilts over the shoreline. Lamma Rainbow is perhaps one of the best known, having carved out a reputation since 1984. Highlights include fried crab in honey and pepper, steamed garoupa, and squid sizzled in salt and pepper. The restaurant even offers a free shuttle ferry for patrons to Central and Tsim Sha Tsui. 23-25 First Street, Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island, 2982 8100
CADEN ZA Located within members’ club Greater China Club, Cadenza is a new addition to the venue’s dining portfolio, which already encompasses Man Hing Chinese restaurant and al fresco Hoshino Japanese BBQ. The restaurant is open to the public, and focuses on fine dining Italian cuisine. Expect delicate dishes such as paper-thin scallop carpaccio, tomato tartare, and the Cadenza “surprise” egg. Live jazz performances serenade guests every Wednesday through Saturday. 10/F, D2 Place, 9 Cheung Yee Street, Lai Chi Kok, 2743 8055
FAR O UT PL ACES
廳 2 TA N G 2 From the creators of China Tang and Kowloon Tang comes a lighter, more casual concept that combines Chinese and Western culinary flavours together in one menu. Bright splashes of yellow uplift the large open plan dining room with mirrors and French windows adding to the airy, luxurious ambiance. Signatures dishes include glazed barbecue pork, chorizo penne, and wok-fried crystal king prawn in lobster bisque. Unit G09C, Cheung Sha Wan Plaza, 833 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Lai Chi Kok, 2341 5788
新華茶餐廳 SU N WAH CAF E Famous for its baked goods, Sun Wah Cafe is perhaps one of Hong Kong’s most revered cha chaan tengs, with the same recipes now passed down to its second generation owner Ben Or. Crunch down on their legendary egg tarts, made onsite and always gooey warm from the oven, or munch on sweet cocktail buns and pineapple buns. The milk tea here is also a must-try thanks to its smooth, rich flavours. Savouries include crumbly chicken pot pies and satay beef noodles. The cafe’s true claim to fame is perhaps the Dolly Varden cake, a must order for any special occasion. 334 Castle Peak Road, Cheung Sha Wan, 2387 3698
M I C K ITC HE N A toned down version of Michelin-three star “Demon Chef” Alvin Leung’s X-treme Chinese cuisine, MIC Kitchen is all about modern comfort eating. Located on the first floor of an office building, the restaurant offers a combination of Western and Chinese flavours in a sleek modern setting. One of our favourites is the carabinero red prawn served over handmade noodles drizzled with dried shrimp infused oil. G/F, AIA Kowloon Tower, Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, 3758 2239
C .O .W. DINING Don’t be weirded out by the odd name, this restaurant doesn’t specialise in beef! Tucked into a converted factory space, its focus is on fine dining,
Tai O Lookout
with French and Italian influences. Dishes such as Alaskan king crab salad with mangos and roasted beets, and pan-seared M5 Wagyu rib eye, all at a very reasonable price. 2/F, Everest Industrial Centre, 396 Kwun Tong Road, 3565 6814
BRI KETE N IA Truly a hidden gem, BriKetenia opened in early 2015 and has been quietly building up a dedicated audience since. Chef David Lbarboure first fell in love with cuisine under the guidance of his Michelin-star chef father, Martin. He honed his craft in distinguished restaurants across Europe and Asia, including working alongside Pierre Gagnaire at Mandarin Oriental for three years. Chef David earned his first Michelin star in 2010 with his Basque-influenced gastronomy and has since opened BriKetenia with his fellow comrade in arms at Pierre, Chef Walter Lok. A magnificent restaurant in an unassuming neighbourhood, BriKetenia is our elusive, hidden truffle. Shop B1, 1/F, TG Place, 10 Shing Yip Street, Kwun Tong, 3577 8100
HOT POT B OY Winter is coming. Nothing can quite compete with the warming effects of sitting around a bubbling hot pot, dipping an exhaustive list of delicious goodies into the cauldron. Hot Pot Boy has won a huge following thanks to its unique stock bases, ranging from numbingly addictive Sichuan pepper to fish head with Chinese herbs. Our top pick for a bit of adventure wrapped in satisfying flavours. Flat 11, 2/F, Block A, Hoi Luen Industrial Centre, 55 Hoi Yeun Road, Kwun Tong, 2389 0008 afoodieworld.com 31
FA R O U T P L AC E S
French toast dripped with syrup and wash it down with tea fat with condensed milk, and revel in the timelessness of this simple cafe. 63 Temple Street,Yau Ma Tei, 2384 6402
F ULL CUP C A F E This beautiful cafe resonates retro chic, and is the perfect place to unwind with a cup of something rejuvenating while listening to some tunes. 3-7/F, Hanwai Commercial Centre, 36 Dundas Street, Mong Kok, 2771 7775 Loaf On
KO W LOO N E AST K ITCHEN Like so many things in Hong Kong, you can’t take them at face value. What might look shabby from the outside may very well conceal a treasure. Located in a nondescript factory building, the restaurant offers high quality Western cuisine in a refined setting. Indulgent plates of ox tongue fettuccine, chicken marsala and pan-fried ling fillet nestled in creamy pumpkin puree will win you over. Shop C, 5/F, Howard Factory Building, 66 Tsun Yip Street, Kwun Tong, 3468 5383
FO O O DY Hidden behind a facade of wood planks, Fooody is in eclectic space where food and music lovers congregate. The sign on the door reads part bookstore part music cafe, with an interior lovingly decorated in quirky antiques. The menu is simple, ranging from Taiwanese beef casserole, ramen, burgers and salads. There’s live performances here regularly, so you can listen while you munch. Shop 3, G/F, Leader Industrial Centre, 57-59 Au Pui Wan Street, Fo Tan, 3586 0863
CHUEN C H E UN G KUI Specialising in traditional Hakkanese cuisine, Chuen Cheung Kui has been owned and operated by the same family since the 1960s, and moved to its current location in 2004. It’s down-to-earth dishes earned the restaurant a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin guide. Signature dishes include salt baked chicken, stewed pork with preserved vegetables and steamed yellow eel infused with the fragrance of dried mandarin skins. Lisa House, 33 Nelson Street, Mong Kok, 2396 0672
ISLAM H O US E The name is rather literal and spells out exactly what you’ll be getting. The unassuming shop has been a Mecca for Muslims and non-Muslims, converting loyal diners with their famous piping hot veal goulash pan-fried buns. In business for over 60 years, the owner, Mr. Ma, has worked all over China and collected beloved recipes along the way. The menu is an eclectic mix from different regions with hot and sour soup and curry lamb chops to stir fried mutton in chili bean sauce. 1 Lung Kong Road, Kowloon City, 2382 2822
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SAEB-E - H LE E LUB PE D
For a hefty dose of nostalgia, head to one of Hong Kong’s most atmospheric tea houses and grab a seat beside the long curved windows overlooking Tin Hau Temple. The entire restaurant remains true to its retro roots and has retained much of its decor from when it opened in 1950. Grab a greasy
Kowloon City is often called “Little Thailand” thanks to the bevvy of Thai restaurants and grocers lining the streets. There are so many Thai restaurants here that it’s hard to decipher the hits from the misses. Saeb-E-Hleelub Ped isn’t a standout at first glance, but its colourful menu of authentic flavours make
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FAR O UT PL ACES
a lasting impression. They even offer our favourite Thai sour sausages here, full of garlicky goodness. The simple grilled fish is also another must-have. 27 Nam Kok Road, Kowloon City, 2716 2938
AM PO RN T HAI FOOD Perhaps the most popular amongst the Thai restaurants in Kowloon City, Amporn has been around for 20 years. Located at the food centre of a wet market, the ambiance is simple dining on plastic stools. Must-haves include prawn sashimi dipped in fiery chili sauce, minced pork wrapped in lettuce, and deep fried cat fish with sour mango. Shop 9, 3/F, Kowloon City Market, 100 Nga Tsin Wai Road, 2716 3689 Sha Tin 18
M A NSAROV E R Named after Lake Mansarover in Tibet, which personifies purity in Hinduism, the restaurant strives to instill the same divinity in its food. The menu focuses on North Indian cuisine using recipes from Chef Raj Kumar, who has cooked at luxury hotels for over two decades. Indulge in luscious curries and tandoori, right next to historical Tung Chung Fort.
a dai pai dong. Black-and-white photos, toys, and potted plants add personality to the humble restaurant where noodles are served during the day, and hotpot at night. Must-haves include yuba rolls, fresh beef cubes and local hand-sliced beef. Shop 5, Lek Yuen Estate Market, Sha Tin, 2692 6611
21 Leng Pei Tsuen, Tung Chung Road, 2109 1927
CHAN KUN KE E SH A T I N 1 8 Renowned for the best Beijing duck in town, the restaurant resides on the fourth floor of Hyatt Regency, the only 5-star hotel in the area. The crispy-skinned duck is carved tableside, and comes with an array of condiments ranging from white sugar, to scallions, sweet bean sauce and minced garlic. Besides the famed poultry, there’s also plenty of other specialty dishes to choose from, such as braised Yoshihama abalone, steamed crab with minced pork, egg and preserved soya beans, and steamed pork ribs wrapped in glutinous rice. 4/F, Hyatt Regency, 18 Chak Cheung Street, Sha Tin, 3723 7932
SH I N G KE E NOO DLES Although the restaurant is located in a food center inside a wet market, the decor looks nothing like
This popular diner is situated in one of the city’s biggest dai pai dongs. Nicknamed the “mushroom hut” due to the shape of the shack, Chan Kun Kee has become a community institution for people living the public estate. The ambiance is rowdy with plenty of good cheer. Must-haves include chicken congee and deep-fried oyster cake. Don’t leave without trying the drunken mullet and signature roast goose. This place stays open until 1:30am, so it’s also the perfect spot for night owls. 3-5, Wo Che Estate Market, Sha Tin, 2606 1390
CHAN KE E ROA S T G O O SE Sometimes, you have to go the extra mile for a true classic. Chan Kee is a semi open-air diner famous for their succulent roast goose. We highly recommend a field trip here for a bite of these juicy birds. 63 Castle Peak Road, Sham Tseng
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