Dining

Table for one Rik Glauert shares his top ten tips for eating out alone

The coronavirus is here in Hong Kong and people are going out to eat alone. Whether you call it paranoia or best practice, Hong Kongers are avoiding going out in groups. Large restaurant tables and packed dance floors are no longer the hottest places to be in the 852. But, Hong Kong is still a gastronomic paradise. And, some of us still have tiny kitchens without dishwashers. So, here is how to brave the Hong Kong dining scene, alone:

BOOK AHEAD

rejection nonsense at the restaurant.

BE PROUD

DRESS COMFORTABLY

Wear your worn-in go-to dress or suit jacket that you know you look good in. You want to feel at ease while dining alone. No one needs the paranoia of thinking fellow diners are looking at those bright orange shoes you purchased on a whim last week.

BRING A SEAT-SAVER

One of the greatest fears of the solo diner is that they’ll nip to the bathroom only to find their seat taken by a loved-up couple. Bring a cardigan, a scarf, or a glasses case to mark your territory should you need to pop to the loo or outside for a cigarette.

FLIRT WITH THE WAITING STAFF

Just because you’re dining alone, doesn’t

PEOPLE WATCH

Dining alone is the perfect opportunity to people watch. Keep your eyes peeled for those on first dates (bonus points if there’s an awkward kiss). Or a clandestine affair (bonus points if there’s under-the-table footsie action).

HAVE A DRINK

Let’s smash the drinking alone taboo while we’re at it! No one is counting your drinks when you are dining with yourself.

GO AS AN ALTER EGO

Choose a restaurant in a distant neighbourhood and assume a totally new persona for the evening. Book the table under a fake name. Take off your wedding ring. Put on a French accent. Wear a purple bowler hat. The night is yours.

CHOOSE YOUR SEAT WISELY

Photo credit@grahamuden

First-time solo diners often opt for a seat at the bar. There, they have the company of fellow diners or the bartender to fall back on. But, seasoned solo diners prefer a window seat so they can look at the scenery. Or, they choose a strategically placed table for people watching.

PREPARE YOUR PROPS

A book or newspaper will give you some anchorage when dining alone. But, don’t distract yourself too much from the experience. Eating at the same time as reading or swiping your phone is a bad look.

Eating solo? Ichiran This famous Japanese ramen institute was made for dining alone. Ichiran is configured in a way so that you can dine at individual wooden booths and slurp your noodles in maximum privacy. Just fill out your order sheet, hand it to the waiter behind the curtains and wait for your ramen to (magically) appear. Shop F-I, G/F, Lockhart House, Block A, 440 Jaffe Road, Causeway Bay. en.ichiran.com Yat Lok If you’re at Yat Lok with a friend and lingering to chat after your meal, you’ll be unceremoniously ushered out the door – which is why the Michelin-starred restaurant, known for its Cantonese roast meat, is great for solo dining. Their roast goose rice or noodle makes for a satisfying lunchtime meal for less than $100. G/F, 34-38 Stanley Street, Central. Burger Joys Dubbed the In-N-Out of Hong Kong, Burger Joys opens from 11am to 6am to satisfy all your fast food cravings. The popular neighbourhood restaurant markets itself as a gourmet burger spot tailored for Hong Kong’s fast-paced lifestyle. Try their signature double cheeseburger and make it a combo with half a pint of beer and french fries on the side! Shop E, G/F, De Fenwick, 42-50 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai. burgerjoys.com Credit@Flickr: Michael Saechang

Northern Dumpling Yuan A local restaurant specialising in noodles and dumplings, Northern Dumpling Yuan is a firm favourite for locals to grab a quick bite thanks to its speedy service. The menu boasts a wide range of dumplings, including the classic cabbage and pork combination to two types of vegetarian fillings. Make it a full meal by combining your dumpling of choice with a big bowl of northern-style noodles. G/F, 1 Water Street, Sai Ying Pun.

DINING NEWS

Dining News

Hong Kong’s female icons cook for charity Vicky Lau of one Michelin-starred TATE Dining Room is celebrating International Women’s Day with a charity collaboration dinner featuring seven female guest chefs. The chef owner has invited seven inspiring women in Hong Kong to cook alongside her, each presenting a dish that is nostalgic to them. Participating guest chefs include Margaret Chung (ex-TV personality and celebrity yoga teacher), Yenn Wong (founder of JIA Group) and Sarah Heller MW (Asia’s youngest Master of Wine) among others. This will be a night dedicated to the works of women and all the proceeds will be donated to Margaret Chung’s BEYOND Foundation. Starting from $1,780. 210 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan. tate.com.hk

A new speakeasy opens in Central The Diplomat, the first speakeasy pub concept created by award-winning mixologist John Nugent, is now open at Central’s H Code. This whimsical, vintage-inspired bar is the perfect watering hole for travellers and cocktail enthusiasts in Hong Kong. The beverage menu is a nod to the experiences of influential figures in history and is paired with a rich selection of snacks and hot bites to complete your night. LG/F, High Block, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central. diplomat.hk

A matcha made in heaven Hong Kong’s homegrown matcha brand is taking over The Upper House from now until the end of March. Founded in 2019, Matchali translates matcha culture for a contemporary audience in Hong Kong, highlighting its versatility and broad range of health benefits. Sourcing the green stuff directly from Kyoto’s Uji, guests can have a taste of Matchali’s Instagram-worthy hand-whisked drinks at their limited-time pop-up. 6/F, The Upper House, 88 Queensway, Admiralty. matchali.com

Join the Cornerstone Challenge Think you have what it takes to make the best sandwich in town? Chef Shane Osborn, the star behind Netflix’s The Final Table is challenging you to create the ultimate steak sub and win a cooking class with Cornerstone’s

Move over Red Lobster Brought to you by the team behind neighbourhood favourites Flying Pig Bistro and El Macho, Lobster Shack is a newly opened seafood spot that serves all your classic coastal comfort fare in a warm and inviting set-up. You can get a whole lobster for under $300 and half a dozen oysters for less than $200. By working directly with a family-owned seafood supplier in Canada, the restaurant is able to offer great bang for your buck. Plus the laid back, easy-going vibe makes this a great place for catch-ups! 6-8 Second Street, Sai Ying Pun. facebook.com/ lobstershackhk

Cinnabon rolls into town If you haven’t already heard, Cinnabon rolled into town last month. The world-famous US bakery chain (with presence in over 40 countries) is bringing its warm, gooey and totally amazing treats to West Kowloon. Head over to Olympian City 2 to pick up a Classic Cinnamon Roll, Chocobun or Caramel Pecanbon. Shop G06, G/F, Olympian City 2, 18 Hoi Ting Road, West Kowloon. cinnabon.com

head chef. To enter, post a photo of your sandwich creation and share your secret recipe by tagging @CornerstoneHongKong, #CornerstoneChallenge and #UltimateSteakSandwich. You must use Cornerstone’s Australian WX by Ranger Valley Wagyu and ciabatta bread in your sando creation and the rest is up to you. The winner will be prized a dinner for two at Cornerstone, a steak sandwich workshop with the chef and have their sandwich featured on Cornerstone’s menu for the first week of March. 49 Hollywood Road, Central. facebook. com/cornerstonerestauranthk