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    Home » World Travel » Hong Kong

    Godenya Hong Kong

    Published: May 8, 2023 by Jennifer Che

    Hong Kongers love traveling to Japan. During the pandemic when the border between Japan and Hong Kong was all but effectively closed, demand for Japanese restaurants, especially high-end ones, shot up in Hong Kong. All of a sudden, it was impossible to book any nice Japanese restaurants. In fact, during the pandemic, more Japanese restaurants opened up to meet this demand.

    Godenya is one of the hardest Japanese restaurants to book in Hong Kong. For us, the only reason we were able to try it is that some kind friends of ours had made a booking early early on, and invited us to come. They also explained that they were surprised they didn’t have to wait 6 months to get a booking . . . Perhaps the border to Japan re-opening has something to do with local demand for Japanese food . . . 

    In any event, we were thrilled to have the chance to try Godenya in Hong Kong, a self-billed "sake pairing restaurant" for the first time this fall.

    The Sake Pairing Tasting Menu

    Monaka Taiyaki "Sandwich"

    Godenya Hong Kong

    We began with what looked like a taiyaki, those traditional fish-shaped cakes filled with red bean.

    Godenya Hong Kong

    But this one was different! This was a savory version filled with monkfish liver, persimmon, smoked pickles, and baby shiso leaves.

    Godenya Hong Kong

    The fish exterior was like monaka, so light and crispy with a texture not unlike thin styrofoam. The little “sandwich” was phenomenal. I loved it.

    Godenya Hong Kong

    Sake pairing: Beau Michelle (Nagano) Junmai Nama Sparkling Alc.9% 2022-23 10°C.

    Kawahagi (Filefish)

    Godenya Hong Kong

    The next course was truly a revelation: raw Kawahagi ( Filefish), chestnuts, boiled peanuts, arrowhead, and rice topped with Bonito flakes.

    The mixture of textures and flavors was brilliant.

    Sake pairing: TEDORIGAWA ( Ishikawa) Junmai Daiginjo Nama Alc. 16% 2021 22 13°C

    Shirako + Yuzu

    Godenya Hong Kong

    I'm not the biggest fan of shirako (fish sperm sac), though I am always willing to try it when it's part of a larger tasting. Here, shirako, zuwai-kani (snow crab), and chrysanthemum came served inside a yuzu shell with a liver sauce.

    Godenya Hong Kong
    Godenya Hong Kong

    Sake pairing: SOGEN ( Ishikawa) Junmai Nama Alc. 16% 2021-22 42°C

    Karasumi Soba

    Godenya Hong Kong

    Next was soba with karasumi (bottarga / mullet roe) with a dried spinach leaf “chip”, boiled leaf (2-ways), and lonburi (Belvedere fruit), which is similar to "poor man's caviar".

    Godenya Hong Kong

    Sake Pairing: HOKEN ( Hiroshima ) Junmai Daiginjo Alc. 16% 2021-22 15°C

    Eel "Soup"

    Godenya Hong Kong

    Eel soup with Syogoin-kabu (turnip), taro, carrot, and gingko.

    Sake Pairing: TENON ( Shiamnne ) Kimoto Junmai Daiginjo Alc. 15% 2021-22 23°C

    Baked Crab

    Godenya Hong Kong

    Hot baked female snow crab with tomato sauce, lily bulb, pine nut, and rice.

    Sake Pairing: HIWATA ( Miyagi ) Yamahai Junmai Daiginjo Alc. 16% 2020-21 18°C

    Lotus Root + Kinki Fish

    Godenya Hong Kong

    Renkon (lotus root) stuffed with Kinki-fish, Burdock, and Sweet potato in a flavorful broth.

    Sake Pairing: JUJI ASAHI ( Shimane ) Junmai Ginjo Alc. 18% 2009-10 48°C

    Somen

    Godenya Hong Kong

    Somen noodles with duck in a light, clear broth.

    Sake + Caramel Dessert

    Godenya Hong Kong

    Finally, a delicious crème brulee topped with caramel ice cream and pear. The showstopper was the intensely flavored homemade aged sake ("black like soy sauce") that they poured on top. It was not too different from a dark caramel flavor, and I loved it!

    General Thoughts - Godenya Hong Kong

    What a special meal! Coming here feels a lot like being transported to Japan, even if just for a few hours. The dishes are designed with care, full of creativity, and superbly balanced in flavor, texture, and presentation. I can very much see why this place is in such high demand. We very much enjoyed the exposure to so many different types of sake and types of sake pairing. I especially loved the dessert - what a unique way to enjoy sake!

    The sake tasting menu is HK$2300, or HK$2100 for half volume sake. Reservations are extremely hard to come by, but there are random pockets of availability if you're to look far ahead.

    All in all, highly recommended!

    Godenya Hong Kong
    182 Wellington Street (upper G/F)
    Central, HONG KONG

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    Jennifer Che Tiny Urban Kitchen
    Jennifer Che Tiny Urban Kitchen

    Hi, my name's Jen and welcome to my cooking, eating, and travel site! I am an expat who moved from Boston to Hong Kong 5 years ago. Born and raised in Ohio to Taiwanese immigrant parents, I am a chemistry nerd, patent attorney by day, blogger by night, church musician on weekends, and food enthusiast always. Feel free to explore away, maybe starting with the Recipe Index or one of the travel pages! I hope you enjoy this site!

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