Celebrity Life

Hong Kong is one of the world’s most exciting culinary capitals, where good food is abundant. In that light, we’ve put together a few of our tastiest tidbits and most memorable morsels that are worth tracking down to try.

Squid Ink Paella at Pica Pica

[caption id="attachment_132202" align="alignnone" width="5647"] Squid Ink Paella Rice from Pica Pica[/caption]

This Spanish tapas bar is the new kid on the block, serving up a variety of tapas from different regions. Find classics such as the Spanish lazy omelet (an over-easy version of the original) as well as inventive dishes like the red prawn hot dot -- which we loved equally. But the ultimate must-order item on their menu is hands down the squid ink paella. The rice itself is made to perfection -- think individual chubby grains with an overload of flavour and texture, with slow-cooked 48-hour pork belly, and generous dollops of garlic aioli.

Pica Pica, G/F Kai Tak Commercial Building, 317–321 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong; +852 2811 9880

Handmade Noodles With Pork Slices In Spicy Garlic Soy Sauce at Sichaun Lab

[caption id="attachment_132173" align="alignnone" width="1417"] Handmade Noodles with Pork in Garlic Soy Sauce at Sichuan Lab[/caption]

Turning up Hong Kong’s thermostat with one of China’s bold-flavoured cuisines is newly opened Sichuan Lab. But thankfully for us chilli novices, there is definitely more than Ma-la (or mouth-numbing flavours) on the menu. Some more innovative items include a 52℃ slow cooked smoked duck breast and a very interesting green peppercorn vanilla ice cream. But the best dish for us has to be the handmade noodles with thinly sliced pork in a garlic and soy sauce; bouncy and smothered in the aromatic savoury sauce — it's the perfect noodle dish for Hong Kong’s cooler climate right now.

Sichuan Lab, G/F, 28 Tai Wo Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong; +852 3126 6633

Apple Tart with Juniper Ice Cream at Roganic

[caption id="attachment_132163" align="alignnone" width="3307"] Apple Tart with Juniper Ice Cream at Roganic[/caption]

British chef Simon Rogan’s new and first overseas venture, Roganic (adjacent to the chef’s development kitchen experience, Aulis), brings forth the modern dining movement with fresh local produce, natural wines, all the while designed with the local palate in mind. Saving the best ’til last, the most memorable dish of the evening was at Roganic’s dessert bar. Much like the other dishes, the Apple Tart was nothing less of a surprise and satisfaction — reinvented with sheets of apple spiralled on a buttery crust and interestingly complemented with Juniper ice cream, an ingredient seemly appropriate for this time of year.

Roganic, UG08, Sino Plaza, 255 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong; +852 2817 8383

Honey-glazed Barbecue Pork at Tsui Hang Village

[caption id="attachment_132205" align="alignnone" width="2756"] Honey-glazed Barbecued Pork at Tsui Hang Village[/caption]

Celebrating their 40-year milestone, Tsui Hang Village is already a much-loved staple among locals for Cantonese cuisine. There were some exceptional dishes on our last visit, including a belly warming double-boiled abalone and fish soup in a mini papaya, but the most prized dish of them all has to be the char siu, or barbecue pork. Using pork shoulder, with the perfect ratio of 70% lean meat and 30% fat, the char siu was incredibly tender with charred and caramelised edges (the best bits!), sweetened by their signature honey soy sauce. It’s plated with a side of glazed yellow beans too which we couldn’t seem to stop eating.

Tsui Hang Village, Mira Place 1, 5/F, 132-134 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong; +852 2376 2882

Octopus Al Pastor at Los Sotano

[caption id="attachment_132158" align="alignnone" width="1304"] Octopus Al Pastor at Los Sotano[/caption]

Tucked in the basement on LKF, is a hidden Mexican gem, Los Sotano. Commonly misunderstood as just a tequila bar (though it does have a tequila library housing over 100 varieties of the agave spirit), the menu at this alcove is authentic Mexican fare with an inventive twist. The dishes here are all very much instagrammable, with the table showstopper being the Octopus. The difficult-to-handle protein was marinated in a spice rub and grilled just right to retain its succulence without being undercooked. The spices in the dish were harmonised with fresh garden vegetables and decorated with edible flowers for a splash of colour on the plate.

Los Sotano, Basement, 21 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2970 3887

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The post The Top 5 Dishes We Ate in February 2019 appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.