Search Results for: wan chai

Ama Ristorante by the Amatricianist Wan Chai

January 30, 2024 by Jennifer Che

"AMA signifies our love for food, while also being short for AMAtriciana, a classic Italian sauce" reads the menu of this newish Italian restaurant steps from our home in Wan Chai. The food is classic, rustic fare from Rome, and you almost feel like you are in Rome when you are there.

They have a HUGE screen that just shows a video of a person wandering the streets of Rome. Because I've been to Rome before, the video evokes memories of our times in Italy. For me, it's a bit nostalgic, and just brings back pleasant memories in general.

We love this place because the food is great, the ambiance is very cozy and comfortable, and it's very, very close to our home (less than 5 minute walk). It's the type of place we can go to, even on a weeknight, and get out with plenty of time to spare.

This restaurant is also a dream come true for Chef Paolo Monti, who finally open his own restaurant after working for 20+ years at Gaia Ristorante in Sheung Wan. He took the plunge during the pandemic to secure a space, and opened up this restaurant in February 2022.

Salads + Starters

We like the salads, and we've tried many different kinds. Lately, we've been enjoying the spinach salad with hard boiled egg and feta (not pictured), but most of the salads are nice.

Ama Ristorante Wan Chai — Corn salad with avocado & aged balsamic vinegar 148

Pasta

The signature dish (and also something we order every single time), is the signature "Maccheroni Amatriciana" made with “Cacio di Caterina il Fiorino” (cheese) $288. Apparently, it became famous through social media as an off-menu item at Gaia Ristorante, where Chef Paolo used to work. It's served in an old iron pan and made with pork cheek, tomatoes, garlic and olive oil.

It is really, really good! They used a high quality al dente dried pasta that works really well with this dish.

We've tried a number of other pastas, and they are all good. However, overtime we just keep gravitating towards the Amatriciana.

Angel hair pasta with tomato sauce.

Main Dishes

General Thoughts - Ristorante Ama Wan Chai

This is a place we visit regularly because it fits a number of our criteria: delicious food, nice ambiance, close to home, one of Bryan's favorite cuisines, and typically not too hard to book. We're fans, we're regulars, and we really hope it does well and stays right where it is!

Ristorante Ama by the Amatricianist
AMA Ristorante
25F, 208 Johnston Road,
Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (852) 2117 9789
WhatsApp: (852) 3702 0809

Yamato Yakitori Wan Chai right in our backyard!

January 12, 2024 by Jennifer Che

Yamato Yakitori quietly opened during the pandemic. Since we live right around the corner, we noticed the construction leading up to the opening of the restaurant. There are no windows, so you cannot see inside. It felt private, secret, hidden while also being in broad daylight. We often saw very, very nice race cars parked outside of the restaurant.

It wasn't until much later that we learned that it was a yakitori place. Yamato Yakitori originates from Osaka, Japan. The restaurant sources 150 day free range Jidori chicken from Nara, Japan and grills them over a charcoal grill.

I love yakitori, and one of my favorite restaurants in Hong Kong is a yakitori joint. Yet the fancy cars made me wonder whether this was some kind of super high end yakitori.

Yes and no.

During normal dinner hours, omakase menus are the only option, and you can enjoy them paired with fancy sakes or nice wines. However, starting at 9:30PM, the "Supper" menu becomes available. This is when you can order skewers a la carte (HKD60 each), or enjoy more casual "omakase" sets, 7 pieces for HKD400 or 10 pieces for HKD580. Contrast this with the tasting menus at dinner, which cost HKD 1080 for the classic omakase, and HKD1680 for the Signature omakase.

Update: January 2025: The classic omakase is now HKD880 a person, and the Double Happiness Omakase is HK1280 per person. They also appear to offer a la carte during normal hours? We will try to visit and confirm.

The Signature Omakase

Since we were coming to celebrate Bryan's birthday, we decided to go all out and try the Signature Omakase. It comes with a variety of dishes, as well as 12 skewers. If you're still not full after the 12 skewers, you can still order add-ons, which cost between HKD60 and HKD80 for most pieces (and HK$120 for special ones like the Yamato Special Chicken Thigh and Kumamoto Wagyu Filet).

They have a pretty good sake selection, and we tried several different kinds together with our chicken.

Grilled Vegetables

Cheese and Mini-sliders??

And then we tried thier mini-burger, which was so small! It was super cute. It's also nice to be able to eat a burger in one bite.

Rice, Somen, or Ramen?

Diners have a choice between chicken and egg with rice, ramen in chicken soup, or cold citrus somen.

Bryan immediately went for the chicken ramen. It is the most traditional and classic choice. After all, we are eating at a restaurant that specializes in chicken. The chicken broth is bound to be fantastic (and it was!).

Dessert

All in all, we had a great time. High quality ingredients, expert execution, meticulous attention to detail in how every dish is made . . . it was really a lovely meal. The environment is cozy and intimate. Yes, it was quite pricy, and for yakitori, you can probably get just as enjoyable of a meal at another yakitori joint (or even come to Yamato late at night). However, a dinner at Yamata Takitori is much more than just going to a yakitori joint. It's an entire tasting menu that also includes a lot of other seasonal Japanese specialties. For a special occasion, it's really quite nice.

The tiny restaurant only seats twelve, so it's safer to make a reservation.

Yamato Yakitori Wan Chai Hong Kong
Shop No. 3-8, The Oakhill
28 Wood Road, Wan Chai

Chung Kee - Lockhart Cooked Food Centre Wan Chai

May 6, 2023 by Jennifer Che

Chung Kee Wan Chai - Lockhart Cooked Food Centre

Many people lamented when the very famous North Point Dai Pai Dong Tung Po Kitchen was forced to shut down after 30+ years of business. I'd been there once, and had enjoyed the delicious food, though I had conclude "[t]he price was on the high side for a dai pai dong, with the total bill coming in at just under $75 USD for a party of three ordering four dishes and a few bottles of beer."

That was 5 years ago when we had just moved to Hong Kong, being more like bright-eyed "tourists" than seasoned locals.

We are still not seasoned locals, but we've made a few friends. One of our friends told us about Chung Kee, a very local dai pai dong located right in the Lockhart Cooked Food Centre in Wan Chai, not too far from our house!

Chung Kee Restaurant at the Lockhart Cooked Food Centre

Our friend said, "it's like Tung Po, but not as expensive, and it's still very, very good."

We were so thankful that our friends were willing to go with us there. Turns out, the menu is COMPLETELY in Chinese, and all communication is basically done in Cantonese.

Similar to Tung Po Kitchen, the beer here is also enjoyed in ceramic bowls. The atmosphere is boisterous. Our friends tell me that this place can get very crowded, and it's quite popular with the locals.

Stir-fried clams with peppers.

This is a VERY local dish. It's called chicken knees (雞膝), and it's literally just pieces of chicken cartilage (maybe from somewhere near the "knee" equivalent portion?) that are battered and deep-fried. It's something most people may not think of eating, but it's actually pretty tasty. It's a bit crunchy, spicy, and quite flavorful.

Pickled vegetable fish 酸菜魚 was alright, though not very spicy (I guess it's Cantonese style, which usually means very, very mild).

Fresh from the From the Oven

Baked oysters with cheese.

I've seen this style of cooking at French restaurants (more often with paper, but similar), so I was surprised to see it at such a local Cantonese restaurant. Oyster mushrooms are teamed with butter and other flavors in a sealed up foil pocket.

This garlic smothered eggplant was steaming hot when it arriver and was delicious!

Fried Musk Melon Milk Custard

The restaurant rotates through various "specials". I'm not sure if they are new dishes they are trying, or if they are just rotating on a regular basis. This one was honeydew melon and deep fried "milk" 蜜瓜炸脆奶, which was definitely an interesting dessert. The inside was piping hot and soft and custardy. Really, really fun to try! (see below video of me trying it for the first time)

*update* another friend tells me that musk melon fried milk was "all the rage" in the 80's, but not that many places make it anymore.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jennifer Che (@tinyurbankitchen)

Our friends were way too generous and ordered so much food for only four people. The prices here seem much more reasonable compared to Tung Po Kitchen, though my guess is that it's not as catered towards tourists, so it may be more difficult to navigate if you don't know the language.

It was certainly a local experience, and we loved it. It's been so fun getting to know these friends, who absolutely love good food but don't like overpaying for it. We've been able to discover so many great local places with them. Now if only I could improve my Cantonese!

Chung Kee Lockhart Cooked Food Centre
中記精美小菜大排檔
225 Hennessy Rd, Wan Chai

Lucciola - Italian food at The Hari Hotel in Wan Chai

March 22, 2022 by Jennifer Che

Lucciola is one of the two anchoring restaurants at the new swanky boutique Hari Hotel in Wan Chai, the other being Zoku. While Zoku is a hip, fusion Japanese spot with a Nobu-esque air, Lucciola is a more traditional Italian restaurant serving trusted Italian favorites such as vitello tonnato, salt-crusted fish, and rustic pasta dishes.

The chef is originally from the Piedmont region of Italy, though most of the menu focuses on classic dishes. Most of the pastas are made from dried pasta, though there are a few handmade pastas as well.

The ambiance is elegant and quiet, a good place to have a conversation.

The Food

The food is solid, with the "Il Vitello Tonnato" being my favorite dish of the night. In general, the menu is "safe", meaning the menu consists of crowd pleasers that most people would enjoy. It has a nice pasta/risotto selection that is larger than most (10 different kinds!), including vegetarian options and even one made with Impossible Meat.

The prices are on the higher end (not a surprise considering the luxury hotel in which it is housed). You can probably find similar quality food for less price (in a less fancy atmosphere) at other places in Hong Kong.

Still, it's a nice addition to Wan Chai, especially for pasta lovers who are tired of the same old pasta dishes and want to try one, two, or up to ten (!) new and different pasta dishes.

Lucciola
Hari Hotel 1/F
330 Lockhart Rd
Wan Chai

Zoku Wan Chai Hong Kong

June 15, 2021 by Jennifer Che

It's hard to imagine trying to open a new restaurant, let alone a new hotel in the midst of a pandemic. However, we've certainly seen both happening all throughout Hong Kong. Right in our backyard here in Wan Chai, a small boutique swanky hotel called the Hari Hotel just opened. Inside there are two restaurants, an Italian restaurant called Lucciola and a Japanese restaurant called Zoku.

Bryan knows I love Japanese food (way more than he does, to be honest). So when he found out about Zoku, he tried to make a reservation. It turns out that reservations were a bit difficult to secure! I guess Hong Kong people still LOVE trying out new restaurants and despite the cloud of the pandemic still hanging over us.

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Ruam Thai Wan Chai Hong Kong

May 20, 2021 by Jennifer Che

Life in Hong Kong has felt relatively normal these past few months. Many people are returning to the office, restaurants and bars are open, and the subway seems to be getting back to pre-pandemic crowded levels. Despite the fact that the COVID-19 case count in Hong Kong is enviably low (we're down to the single digits, with many days being 0 local cases), I am still a bit skittish about eating indoors.

My dear husband has been kind and sensitive to my worries, seeking out restaurants with outdoor patios and good food. A few weeks ago, we finally had the chance to enjoy a lovely dinner at Ruam Thai in Wan Chai, a Thai restaurant tucked away on the mezzanine level overlooking Ship Street in Wan Chai.

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DK1885 Wan Chai Vietnamese

December 9, 2020 by Jennifer Che

DK1885 Hong Kong — Mixed Beef Pho with Vietnamese sausage, beef, sawtooth coriander HKD88

We first discovered DK1885, a local favorite Vietnamese restaurant a bit off the beaten path in Wan Chai because we were looking for restaurants where we could bring our own wine - aka no corkage fee.

We were pleasantly surprised to discover that we also really enjoyed the food. DK1885 serves Northern Vietnamese dishes with a bit of French influence. We loved the vibrant flavors, fresh ingredients, and reasonable prices. The ability to bring our own wine was another huge plus.

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Ninetys Wan Chai - Australian-Style Coffee Cafe

December 5, 2020 by Jennifer Che

It seems like every time I have walked by Ninetys in Wan Chai, there has been a line out the door. This Australian-style cafe serves a variety of food but its roots and heart are in coffee. It's founder and head barista Bruno Koo placed first runner up at at the American world latte art championship in San Diego.

The Coffee

The restaurant's aim is to be a "platform where craftsmanship is appreciated [and] a place where human is connected." The focus on coffee craftsmanship is high, with a large team of dedicated baristas who are devoted to their craft.

When I ordered a pourover coffee (HKD 68), the barista asked me to choose between fruity, nutty, or chocolately. I likely chose nutty, which might explain why he paired the coffee with some raw almonds?

It was very fun and quite interesting to play around with tasting the coffee with and without the almond. I could really taste the difference.

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Roots Wan Chai - Modern Cantonese French cuisine

March 3, 2020 by Jennifer Che

You can get almost any type of food in Hong Kong - everything from French cafes and sushi flown in from Japan to local Chinese street noodle carts and FIVE GUYS. However, whenever friends visit from out of town, we like to show them restaurants that are unique to Hong Kong.

Roots is definitely a twist on the traditional Cantonese fare that is prevalent throughout Hong Kong. Chef Stephanie Wong takes French cooking techniques executes traditional Cantonese fare using a blend of Eastern and Western ideas and ingredients. It's a very unique cuisine that you may not even fully appreciate unless if you really know traditional Hong Kong dishes.

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Xin Rong Ji Hong Kong - 1 Michelin Star in Wan Chai

February 10, 2020 by Jennifer Che

I knew that Xin Rong Ji must be a really good restaurant when I tried (and failed) twice to make a reservation at the last minute. This Michelin-starred Shanghainese restaurant originated from Mainland China and has several locations throughout the region.

We have since had a few opportunities to dine there and we absolutely love it. Not only is the food top notch, the wine list is incredible and comes at ridiculous reasonable prices (with minimal mark up). It's most certainly a wine-lover's dream to be able to taste a host of high-end wines (think first growth French Bordeaux) while enjoying excellent Shanghainese food.

The menu is quite large, and we have only tried a few dishes (limited capacity when it's just the two of us!). However, we've tried enough dishes to have a general impression about the place. Below are some of our initial thoughts.

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Joon Go Korean Restaurant in Wan Chai

February 5, 2020 by Jennifer Che

Experts in Korean food say you can typically know the quality of a Korean restaurant's food by its banchan, or the little free appetizers that come out before the meal.

I am by no means an expert on Korean food. In fact, I've never been to Korea. So, I can't really comment on authenticity. However, I can say that the banchan at Joon Go was quite tasty, and overall, our lunch there was pretty enjoyable.

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hEAT Wan Chai - chargrilled meats and seafood

February 4, 2020 by Jennifer Che

hEAT is a grill focused restaurant located high up on the 23rd floor of QRE Plaza in Wan Chai. Despite it being really close to our apartment, we had never heard of it. We discovered the restaurant through Eatigo, an app that gives discounts for last minute reservations.

We were pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food and really enjoyed a good dry aged steak together with some tasty sides.

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Mr. Brown Wan Chai

January 30, 2020 by Jennifer Che

There's something about nostalgia that draws us to places. The sense of familiarity brings feelings of warmth, fond memories, and an overall sense of happiness.

I never thought I loved the simplicity of grilled vegetables and meats so much until I started missing it. Mr. Brown in Wan Chai, which focuses on all things grilled, instantly brought back memories of Boston in a lot of ways.

Mr. Brown is the second venture from the folks behind the very popular Mediterranean restaurant Francis in the Star Street district of Wan Chai. Mr. Brown has a HUGE grill and focuses on smoked and grilled meats along with other delectable goods from the grill.

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Old Bazaar Kitchen Wan Chai

January 29, 2020 by Jennifer Che

The building that we live in is interesting. The first floor houses four restaurants. Three very high end Japanese restaurants (Kaiseki Den by Sataome, Sushi Masataka, Takumi by Daisuke Mori), and then tucked in the back on the alley side of the street, a hidden Chinese restaurant called Old Bazaar Kitchen.

One day, out of curiosity, we decided to stop in and give it a try. We were pleasantly surprised at how good everything was. The level of execution is very high, though with prices to match.

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Coyote Wan Chai Mexican

January 23, 2020 by Jennifer Che

Walk past bar after bar brimming with foreigners, red light district type shops, and a number of excellent restaurants to arrive at Coyote, a loud, music-filled, dark and festive Mexican restaurant. The Mexican cantina boasts the first table-side guacamole in Hong Kong, their own housemade hot sauces (which you can buy to take home with you), and local beers on tap.

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Kaiseki Den - Exquisite Japanese tasting menu in Wan Chai

January 14, 2020 by Jennifer Che

We never cease to be amazed by the plethora of world class restaurants in our neighborhood, and Kaiseki-Den was no exception. This high-end Japanese kaiseki restaurant is steps away from our front door and serves some of the most elegant flavors and beautifully plated courses I have enjoyed in Hong Kong.

Kaiseki-Den is the first Japanese restaurant in Hong Kong to earn a Michelin Star (back in 2010). It has maintained that star ever since and continues to execute exquisite tasting menus. Chief Executive Chef Hiroyuki Saotome, the mastermind behind these tasting menus, has over 30 years' experience. His signature dishes include uni truffle rice and his wagyu beef dishes(more on those below!).

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Le Garcon Saigon Wan Chai - Excellent modern Vietnamese in Hong Kong

August 11, 2019 by Jennifer Che

When Bryan and I first moved to Hong Kong, we were a bit surprised at the lack of Vietnamese restaurants. The few we had tried were mediocre, which surprised us, considering the fact that Vietnam is only an hour flight away from Hong Kong.

It's quite possible that there just isn't a really large Vietnamese community living here in expensive Hong Kong. Thankfully, we've since found some places that we enjoy, even though they come at a much higher price point than a typical Vietnamese joint.

Le Garcon Saigon is a self-billed Vietnamese "brasserie" serving food inspired by Saigon in a space that's reminiscent of a French bistro. Opened by the Black Sheep Group (whose restaurants I generally enjoy), Le Garcon Saigon serves excellent modern Vietnamese food in a friendly and warm environment right in the Star Street Precinct area of Wan Chai.

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Le Petit Saigon Wan Chai - Best Banh Mi in Hong Kong

April 8, 2019 by Jennifer Che

I very well may have found my favorite sandwich in Wan Chai.

I've always been partial to the Vietnamese banh mi. I love how the Vietnamese took a French sandwich and added their own vibrant twist to it. The French first introduced the basic French bread loaf to the Vietnamese in the early 20th century during the French colonization of Vietnam.

Back then, a simple Parisian-style sandwich consisted of a French baguette, butter, and ham. These sandwiches (called “banh mi Tay“) were meant for the French locals living in the area, and were associated with expensive European delis. Soon, the Vietnamese began adding their own local ingredients to the simple sandwich, such as pickled vegetables, cilantro, and other Southeast Asian herbs. It became so popular, it eventually overtook the traditional French version.

Although today the word “banh mi” is today associated with the Vietnamese sandwich, the term actually technically only means “bread”, and a sandwich having meat would have a descriptor after it (e.g. banh mi thit = bread with meat).

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1963 Tree Taiwanese Restaurant Wan Chai

April 2, 2019 by Jennifer Che

1963 Tree 木十豆寸 Taiwanese Restaurant Wan Chai — *1963 Tree Taiwanese Restaurant Wan Chai [1963 Tree 木十豆寸]*

Hong Kong is one of the densest cities in the world. On the one hand, the crowds can be overwhelming. On the other hand, it means that there are endless places to discover, even within a very small area.

Despite having lived in Wan Chai for over a year, I am still discovering (almost on a weekly basis) cute shops, charming restaurants, and new trendy tea shops. Add to that Hong Kong's vibrant and dynamic environment, there's always something new to find.

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Sueño Wan Chai - Spanish with a twist of fusion [Sueno Wan Chai]

March 21, 2019 by Jennifer Che

Sueno Wan Chai

Despite the plethora of excellent Spanish restaurants in Wan Chai (there are so many options!), we still appreciate trying new ones because menus don't change that frequently here in Hong Kong (at least compared to Boston). It's hard to go back to the same restaurant - even if you really like the food - because the menu will often look exactly the same.

Though we really enjoy the well-established Spanish restaurants in our neighborhood, we were actually lured to try this new restaurant in Wan Chai because they were offering a discount on Eatigo (affiliate link only works on mobile), a booking app that allows you try new restaurants at a discount. Different discounts are offered depending on what time you dine there. In this case, we were able to get 20% off the food.

Sometimes it's a toss up whether restaurants that offer discounts to promote themselves are good, but we were pleasantly surprised in this case. We really enjoyed the food at Sueno Wan Chai and even came back a second time to try more dishes with friends, who were equally impressed. In fact, I think it's become one of our new favorite Spanish places in Wan Chai.

Here's a look at some of the dishes we've tried!...

The Yuan Wan Chai 原汁原味

December 9, 2018 by Jennifer Che

The Yuan Restaurant Hong Kong 原汁原味 The Yuan Wan Chai

The Yuan Wan Chai 原汁原味

The Yuan/原汁原味 is a cozy, casual Cantonese restaurant located right on Wan Chai Road. The restaurant's Chinese name, 原汁原味 (yuán zhī yuánwèi), is a food idiom that literally translates to "natural juice, natural flavor", and typically refers to an item's original and authentic taste.

The Yuan aims to create such original and authentic "tastes" by bringing out the natural flavors of ingredients without using any MSG. The restaurant focuses on seafood but has many Cantonese classics on the menu.

We first noticed it in our neighborhood because, admittedly, we saw Bibendum (the Michelin man) grinning at us from a poster at the front of the restaurant. We were intrigued and soon stopped in to try it.
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Wai Kee Bowrington Road Cooked Food Centre Wan Chai

December 4, 2018 by Jennifer Che

Wai Kee Bowrington Cooked Food Centre Wan Chai

Wai Kee Bowrington Road Cooked Food Centre Wan Chai

One way of really experiencing truly local Hong Kong fare is to dine at a dai pai dong (大排檔). Literally meaning "big license", it refers to a specific type of restaurant that has a bigger license than a typical street vendor. These special licenses were originally issued after World War II to family members of those who had been killed or disabled in the war.

In 1956, the government stopped issuing new licenses to open air street stalls due to complaints about these outdoor restaurants causing traffic and noise issues. More recently, the government started building indoor "cooked food centres" to move these outdoor restaurants to more sanitary indoor locations.

One of the first restaurants to make this switch was Wai Kee, a Halal Cantonese restaurant that started as a pushcart over 30 years ago....

Santé Wine Bar Wan Chai - Great undiscovered Spanish food and wine [NOW CLOSED]

November 29, 2018 by Jennifer Che

A new restaurant popped up on Ship Street in Wan Chai this past year.

To be honest, I was surprised when I realized that it was a Spanish restaurant. After all, Ship street already has two very popular and successful tapas places, 22 Ships and sister restaurant Ham & Sherry. Could the street take on another Spanish restaurant?

After visiting, I realized Santé Wine Bar is quite different from those other two tapas restaurants. Santé Wine Bar offers a mix of Spanish and French fare, overseen by British chef David Shuttleworth. The restaurant is focused on sourcing interesting, unusual, and hard-to-find wines. Unlike the crowded and (sometimes) loud environments of the Spanish tapas bars on Ship Street, Santé Wine Bar is more quiet, more spacious, and provides a more relaxed environment.

The menu includes Spanish "snacks" which are available before 8PM (think pinxtos type dishes like boquerones (marinated white anchovies), croquetas, sizzling garlic chili prawns, and more). There is also cheese, charcuterie, starters, and main courses. The smaller menu items lean towards being Spanish, while the appetizers and the main course seem more French in nature.

The hand cut jamon Iberico de Bellota Gran Reserva (aged 36 months) [HKD 280] is a treat and always pairs really nicely with the bottle of red wine that we have ordered (and we have tried several - they are quite good!).
Salads are fresh and enjoyable. The menu changes frequently, so you may not see the same salad on the menu. We tried an avocado frisée salad with watermelon, radicchio, tomato, and toasted pepitas which was quite nice. [HKD 118]

I absolutely love the Pan con Tomate [HKD 38], a Spanish staple that they do quite well at Santé Wine Bar. The bread underneath is very thin yet definitely has a nice crispy bite to it. The top, a mixture of garlic and fresh tomato, is perfectly seasoned and delicious. This is one of my favorite items in the whole restaurant and I order it every single time.

The entrees are more French in nature and are solidly executed. They are simple but well seasoned and full of fresh ingredients. Pictured: grilled sea bass on baby Nicoise salad [HKD188].

I was quite impressed with the grilled salmon, which was barely seared and still medium on the inside. It was beautifully tender with a nice crispy skin. The baby vegetables, tomato, and coriander "salad" complemented the dish really nicely. [HKD188]

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Ovo Cafe Wan Chai - vegetarian cafe in Hong Kong

November 27, 2018 by Jennifer Che

Ovo Cafe Wan Chai

Usually if Bryan is out of town on business, I'll eat much more simply by myself. I typically don't enjoy eating out alone, so if he's gone, my default meal is a really simple home-cooked meal, usually consisting of stir fried greens (whatever looks interesting from the wet market), eggs, and possibly a third item.

However, once in awhile I'll venture out solo. Even then, I tend to opt for healthier fare. One place close to my home I sometimes like to visit is Ovo Cafe, a vegetarian cafe near the Wan Chai market located on the 1st floor of a residential building called One Wan Chai....

Xiangshu Restaurant Wan Chai - Sichuan 湘蜀人家

November 24, 2018 by Jennifer Che

Spicy wok fried chicken

In general, we've found that Sichuan food in Hong Kong is nowhere nearly as spicy as it is in actual Sichuan province. There are exceptions, but by and large, Sichuan food in Hong Kong is milder and sometimes even a bit sweet.

We recently discovered a pretty solid, no-fuss Sichuan (and Hunan!) restaurant inside Tai Yau Plaza in Wan Chai (the same building as Crystal Jade Jiang Nan) called Xiangshu Restaurant (湘蜀人家). The chef is from Sichuan and prepares both Hunan and Sichuan dishes at this restaurant. We haven't tried too many dishes, but what we've tried is pretty good....

Che's Cantonese Restaurant - Wan Chai Hong Kong 車

November 18, 2018 by Jennifer Che

Today is my birthday.

Three years ago Bryan treated me to an around-the-world trip for my milestone birthday. Hong Kong was the last stop of that epic trip. Little did I know back then that in less than two years, I would actually be moving here (!). Life works in mysterious ways.

During that trip, we had been tickled to discover a restaurant with the same name as Bryan's family name (which is quite rare). We visited for a late dinner and tried a tasting menu where we tasted unusual (to us) Cantonese classics we had never tried before (heh, hello goose web and abalone!).

To be honest, we left with a mediocre impression of the place, I think partly because we did not understand the cuisine, and partly because we did not really know how to order.

Che's Cantonese Restaurant

Two years later, after we had moved to Hong Kong, we decided to give the restaurant another try (largely due to its good reputation). We came together with Bryan's family (who also share the same surname). Our dim sum lunch turned out to be excellent and everyone really enjoyed it....

Fishteria Wan Chai Hong Kong

November 14, 2018 by Jennifer Che

Fishteria Wan Chai

Hong Kong has long been known for its seafood. It's not hard to find great Cantonese restaurants with live seafood tanks dishing up steamed whole fish, braised abalone, and all sorts of shellfish.

However, it's been harder to experience seafood the way I enjoyed it in Boston. It's harder to find a place with a great raw seafood, freshly shucked oysters on the half shell, and fish cooked with a more western slant.

This is why I was so excited to try Fishteria (inspired from Fish + Hysteria). Fishteria is a seafood-focused restaurant in the heart of Wan Chai with Italian leanings and a focus on the best fresh and sustainable seafood - not to mention the HK equivalent of "dollar oysters" (here it's HKD10 oysters) during happy hour....

Crabtain Wan Chai Hong Kong 一番鋒味

November 13, 2018 by Jennifer Che

Crabtain is a no-fuss, casual, Guangdong restaurant in Wan Chai serving excellent food at very reasonable prices. The chef-owner used to work at the well-known Michelin-starred Cantonese chain Lei Garden. The signature must-order dish is definitely the crab congee, which is fantastic. The deep orange congee is filled with crab roe, a whole crab, and crab broth, resulting in a beautiful, richly flavored congee that's filled with crab umami.

Crabtain offers English menus (yay!), though it's hit-or-miss whether the server will speak English. Thankfully, there's usually at least one person who speaks decent English, and they'll flag that person over if you really need to communicate.

The interior is comfortable, casual, and pretty simple. It's not a huge restaurant, but then I've never seen it so full that I cannot get a seat....

Zhejiang Heen Wan Chai

November 12, 2018 by Jennifer Che

Zhejiang Heen Wan Chai

There are eight major regional cuisines in China: Shandong, Sichuan, Anhui, Guangdong, Fujian, Hunan, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang. However, the four best known and most famous ones are Shandong, Sichuan, Guangdong, and Jiangsu.

Huaiyang cuisine, the most famous sub-regional style under Jiangsu cuisine, is food from the area at the middle and lower parts of the Yangzhe River and the Huai River. It is characterized by its lighter flavors which tend towards sour (from use of local vinegar) and slightly sweet. It is less salty, spicy, and more refined than food further north. Seafood (especially from the river) and pork dominate as the protein of choice.

One-Michelin starred Zhejiang Heen focuses on Huaiyang cuisine, though it incorporates food from surrounding areas of the larger Jiangnan region, which include Jiangsu in the north and Zhejiang in the south. Executive Chef Pan Jiulong takes additional inspiration from outside of China, creating dishes with a slight Japanese or even Western influence.

We've visited Zhejiang Heen a number of times and we enjoy it. The restaurant offers most of the classic Shanghainese / Jiangnan dishes as well as a few signature fusion dishes. ...

Northern Yuan Dumpling Wan Chai

November 11, 2018 by Jennifer Che

Northern Dumpling Yuan - beef fennel boiled dumplings

I grew up making dumplings at home. I thought all dumplings had the signature pan fried bottoms and pleated folds. The first time I encountered northern Chinese style dumplings was during my trip to Beijing in 2008. There, I realized that most of the dumplings in Beijing did not really have pleats but instead looked sort of pressed together.

I have now tried "jiaozi" from Beijing, "har gao" from Hong Kong, "xiaolongbao" from Shanghai, and many, many, more. Every style has its own special characteristics.

What I love the most about a good northern-style dumpling is the thicker chewy "Q" skin. Because they are a bit bigger, you can stuff more filling in them, and it can get quite creative. In Beijing we tried all sorts of fun dumplings with fillings like water chestnuts, pumpkin, fennel, various types of greens, corn, etc.

One of the most well-known and popular no-fuss "hole-in-the-wall" northern dumpling spot in Hong Kong is Northern Dumpling Yuan. This popular spot has multiple locations throughout Hong Kong and serves up a large variety of tasty, handmade northern style dumplings served in many different ways.

These dumplings are very good. The skin is relatively thin and reasonably chewy (though I personally wished for just a bit more al dente texture). Everything was served hot and fresh, and overall we though the flavors of the various dumplings were very good.,

My favorite from my first visit was the shrimp and yellow chive dumpling, which had a lovely balance of flavors including the strong fragrance from the yellow chives. My second favorite was the pork mushroom and coriander dumpling, which was also quite nice.

On top of dumplings, Northern Dumpling Yuan also offers wontons, wonton noodle soups, and a wide variety of small "side" dishes, including some more unusual offerings such as cold slices of braised donkey (!) and pork knuckle.

I found the noodles to be quite soft. They looked like mixian (米線), the Yunnan-style rice noodles, but they were not as chewy.

All in all, I like the fact there is a Northern Dumpling Yuan really close to my house. It's the perfect type of place to go on a day when you want good, simple comfort food that tastes great, won't break the bank, and is relatively quick and convenient. For even greater convenience, you can buy their dumplings frozen to keep at home. That way, if you don't even feel like leaving home, you will always have some excellent dumplings that you can easily cook up and enjoy at any time.

Northern Dumpling Yuan Wan Chai
259 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai
Other locations at Central, Causeway Bay,North Point, Mong Kok, and Shau Kei Wan

This is the twenty-first post in the updated #50Postsin50Days – Take 2 Challenge. Other posts in this series will be added to the bottom of the original post.

Santorini Hong Kong {Wan Chai} - authentic Greek island cuisine

November 2, 2018 by Jennifer Che

Santorini, Greece

Oh Santorini, I have such fond memories of you. I remember the stunning scenery, the slower pace of life, and the friendly people. And the food! I'm a huge fan of hummus, halloumi cheese, anything made with fava beans, and good olive oil.

To be honest, I wasn't sure if I would be able to find really good Greek food in Hong Kong. I didn't have high expectations when I decided to visit Santorini Hong Kong, a Greek restaurant with locations in both Soho and Wan Chai.

I was so pleasantly surprised!

I've been to Santorini Hong Kong three times now, and I really, really like it. The service is excellent (definitely above average - they are really friendly and attentive!); the food is very authentic and delicious; and the ambiance is charming and pleasant.

When you're inside, you almost feel like you are back in Santorini. The decor for the one in Soho (both inside and out) reminds me so much of Santorini!
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Tsukiji Yamataka Seafood Market Wan Chai

October 30, 2018 by Jennifer Che

Tsukiji Yamataka Seafood Market

There was plenty of sadness and nostalgia when Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo, easily the most famous fish market in the world, finally shut down operations and moved to newer, more modern digs at Toyosu Fish Market, two kilometers east.

Meanwhile, here in Hong Kong, we have a super mini version called Tsukiji Yamataka Seafood Market right at the Wan Chai ferry pier.

To be honest, I shouldn't really even be comparing them. Aside from the word "Tsukiji" and the fact that both sell Japanese sushi related products, the two are really quite different. The original Tsukiji Fish Market is an entire neighborhood with an active fish market, fish auction, and numerous vendors and restaurants.

The Tsukiji Yamataka Seafood Market is more like a large Japanese market that sells fresh seafood, gourmet Japanese groceries, and cute Japanese gifts. The market includes several restaurants inside, including a hamayaki joint (grilled seafood), a donburi (seafood over rice) place, a place specializing in lobster rolls, and a "standing sushi bar" (which also has lots of seats).

It's definitely a super mini version (just like everything else in Hong Kong). Nevertheless, I was thrilled when I found out we had our own "Tsukiji" fish market right in my backyard in Wan Chai. ...

Kin's Kitchen Wan Chai - 留家廚房

October 23, 2018 by Jennifer Che

This is the second post in the updated #50Postsin50Days - Take 2 Challenge. Other posts in this series will be added to the bottom of the original post.

Lau Kin-wai and his son Chef Lau Chun (both food writers) wanted to revive some traditional dishes as well as inject some modern creativity into traditional Cantonese cuisine. They opened Kin's Kitchen in 2004 to create a "home away from home" where they could use their vast food knowledge and apply it. They've unearthed ancient Guangdong recipes and re-interpreted them using a modern lens. They also stay true to other traditional recipes and create them using time-honored methods.

The restaurant has been going strong since its opening and even (briefly) earning a Michelin Star in 2011. The restaurant is still recommended by the guide, though it no longer holds a star.

It is one of my favorite places to bring out of town friends and guests. Not only is it walking distance from our home the ambiance is comfortable and relaxed and most importantly, the food never disappoints.

Chinese Broccoli with Crab, Tofu, and Shrimp Sauce

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The Pawn Wan Chai Hong Kong - brunch

June 6, 2018 by Jennifer Che

The Pawn Wan Chai

Right in the middle of bustling Wan Chai sits a three-story heritage building built in 1888 that once housed the Woo Cheong pawnshop. In recent years, the historic building was converted into a traditional British restaurant known simply as The Pawn. The Pawn, with its impressive architecture and colonial design, drew visitors from all over. It was definitely a historic destination, even if it wasn't necessarily a culinary one. In 2014, The Pawn abruptly closed for an extensive remodel and "new concept" and "new chef."

At the end of 2014, the modernized Pawn emerged with contemporary modern decor and a whole new menu under the direction of British multi-Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens. Chef Aikens previously trained at Michelin-starred restaurants Tante Claire (3 stars) and Pied à Terre (2 stars). His dream for the newly revamped The Pawn was to offer a mix of French-inspired elevated food and a more refined version of British classics. In Chef Aikens' words, a "balance between high-end and also good honest British cooking".

The Pawn aims to offer a mix of traditional and modern cuisine. The first floor is a 'Botanicals' bar which offers really edgy and creative atisanal hand-crafted cocktails. The first floor also offers small bar bites and a simple brunch and lunch menu. The second floor is the 'Kitchen', which offers a larger menu suitable for brunch, lunch, or dinner. There's a lovely open kitchen and even a balcony of coveted tables overlooking Johnston Street (we weren't able to get them the day we went).

The brunch is famous at The Pawn, and rightly so. The food is excellent, and it's a decent considering that free flowing drinks are included and kids up to age 12 eat free (one paying adult per free kid). The non-alcohol free-flowing brunch (which still includes some pretty fancy fruit juices) is 498 HKD per person. Add 100 HKD (598 HKD total) to add free-flowing alcohol (Moet et Chandon rosé imperial, bloody Mary, house red and white wines).

All of us (except for Bryan's mom, who doesn't drink), opted for the free-flowing alcohol version since we figured even if we just drank one or two glasses of something it would be worth it. Plus, it's lovely to start brunch with a glass of sparkling rosé....

Trusty Congee King Wan Chai

March 9, 2018 by Jennifer Che

Trusty Congee King Wan Chai - Pork Liver and Scallop Congee

This is post #47, part of my #50PostsIn50Days personal challenge to document my first 100 days in Hong Kong. Other posts in this series may be found at the bottom of the original post.

Congee is one of Hong Kong's greatest comfort foods.

In general, I am fiercely loyal to the comfort foods of my Taiwanese upbringing. I think there's nothing better than my mom's rice dumplings (zhongzi, batsang,粽子), Taiwanese oyster omelets are the best, and I constantly crave good old tea eggs and Taiwanese grilled corn.

Having said that, I will concede that I actually like Hong Kong style congee better than the Taiwanese variety.

I can't believe I just said that!

Now I do love Taiwanese congee, plain white rice porridge with my favorite toppings (pork floss, thousand year old eggs, and my favorite, fermented tofu "dofu ru"). However, there's something about the rich, broth-based nature of Hong Kong style congee that I find irresistable.

...

Seventh Son Wan Chai

March 7, 2018 by Jennifer Che

Suckling pig from Seventh Son Wan Chai

This is post #45, part of my #50PostsIn50Days personal challenge to document my first 100 days in Hong Kong. Other posts in this series may be found at the bottom of the original post.

Fook La Moon is a well-known, very established upscale Cantonese restaurant that has been in Hong Kong for quite some time. The city's rich and famous regularly dine there, and it has many locations throughout Asia. Seventh Son is one of several restaurants in the Wan Chai neighborhood that came out of the Fook La Moon family following a dispute some years back. Seventh Son is named such because it is opened by the youngest (seventh!) son in the family. Several of the chefs at the restaurant originally worked at other Fook La Moon locations before coming to Seventh Son.

The Michelin Guide recommends this restaurant as a "good standard" of cooking.

We came here as strangers, new to Hong Kong and new to our own neighborhood. A seasoned local who had lived in Hong Kong for over 20 years was our host, and ordered many of his favorite dishes for our table of eight to share. It was nice not to worry about what to order, and instead to trust in our host....

Le Bistro Winebeast Wan Chai

March 3, 2018 by Jennifer Che

Le Bistro Winebeast Wan Chai

This is post #41, part of my #50PostsIn50Days personal challenge to document my first 100 days in Hong Kong. Other posts in this series may be found at the bottom of the original post.

Hidden on the second floor of a wine shop in Wan Chai is a lovely, cozy French restaurant called Le Bistro Winebeast. I love the concept. You can purchase any wine from the shop and enjoy it with your dinner without any corkage fee (woo hoo!). The wine prices are quite reasonable, and they have a nice selection of wines at various price points.

The sommelier is Cristina Ducroquet and the executive chef is her husband Johan Ducroquet. Before coming to Hong Kong, Chef Ducroquet trained at several Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris and ran several other kitchens in France, Spain and South America.

The a la carte menu is divided into Frapas (French "tapas"), Starters, and Main Courses. Frapas cost $38 HKD for one, $68 HKD for two, $98 HKD for three, and $128 HKD for four. Starters range between $118 HKD and $188 HKD, and main courses range between $228 HKD and $278 HKD.

We decided to order three frapas and two main courses, foregoing the appetizers this time around. It was plenty of food!...

Yu Chu Jian Bing Wan Chai 御廚煎餅 - Hong Kong

February 26, 2018 by Jennifer Che

Spicy chicken jian bing from Yu Chu jian bing

This is post #36, part of my #50PostsIn50Days personal challenge to document my first 100 days in Hong Kong. Other posts in this series may be found at the bottom of the original post.

When I visited Beijing over seven years ago (wow, time flies!), one of the snacks my expat friends kept telling me about was jian bing, the Chinese version of a crepe made with eggs, crunchy wonton crisps, and a flavorful sauce.

I never got the chance to get one on the street of Beijing with my expat friend. However, during one of our last days in Beijing while hiking the Great Wall of China, Bryan and I found a vendor selling jian bing right at the Great Wall. At this point, we just wanted to try it, after having heard so much about it.

Yum! And that was the last time that I tasted a jian bing.

Soon after I moved to Hong Kong I began my search for jian bing again. I figured Hong Kong was so close to Mainland China, it had to have all of the various snacks and delicacies you can get in China, right? It turns out not to be that way, exactly. In fact, jian bing is not that easy to find in Hong Kong.

At first I was sorely disappointed to learn that the one very popular jian bing place called Mr. Bing had closed shop in Hong Kong not too long ago and had moved to New York City - grrrrrr.

But then I found Yu Chu Jian Bing, which, as luck would have it, was just down the street from my apartment!...

La Piola Wan Chai - Italian Restaurant

February 22, 2018 by Jennifer Che

La Piola Wan Chai

This is post #32, part of my #50PostsIn50Days personal challenge to document my first 100 days in Hong Kong. Other posts in this series may be found at the bottom of the original post.

Piedmont has a special place in my heart.

I have very fond, nostalgic memories of Alba and the surrounding wine-growing regions of northern Italy when Bryan and I visited a couple years ago during white truffle season (the best!). Not only is the entire region absolutely stunning (definitely check out Barolo and Barbareseco!), the food is unique and absolutely delicious.

It's been awhile since I've had any northern Italian food, which is why I was thrilled to discover that La Piola, a restaurant focusing on Piemontese cuisine, had many of the special dishes that totally reminded me of my trip in 2015.

Despite the fact that its in a trendy happening location (which always makes me suspicious of food quality), Bryan and I were both tickled and pleased to discover that the food is quite authentic (one of the owners is Piemontese!) and very, very good....

Pici - Italian food in Wan Chai - { Pici Wan Chai Hong Kong }

February 20, 2018 by Jennifer Che

Pici Wan Chai

This is post #30, part of my #50PostsIn50Days personal challenge to document my first 100 days in Hong Kong. Other posts in this series may be found at the bottom of the original post.

I fell in love with Pici even before I entered the restaurant.

I was meeting a friend there and she had told me that we should line up about 15 minutes before the 11:30AM opening time, since the restaurant doesn't take reservations and it's really popular.

As I walked up the steps of a narrow sidewalk in this hillier, steeper area of Wan Chai filled with narrow streets, tight corners, and small eateries, I couldn't help but be drawn to this quieter, off-the-beaten-path corner of Wan Chai. Standing in line I essentially people-watched, falling in love with the quaint neighborhood as well as the bustle of activity going on inside the kitchen....