Whether it’s an extravagant fine dining restaurant or a humble street side hawker stall, we are perpetually on the quest for delectable foods — whatever the occasion. So, for the ultimate insider scoop, who better to personally recommend the best eats around the world than top chefs who’ve seen and tasted it all. We go right to the source as international culinary legends reveal where they eat and what they order when the aprons come off.
Matt Abergel is a name that is frequently brought up when speaking of the food and beverage scene in Hong Kong. Co-owner and Executive Chef of Rōnin and Yardbird Hong Kong, Co-founder of Sunday’s Grocery and Sunday’s Spirits (a bodega/deli style store with an independent brand of Japanese alcoholic beverages), (and author of James Beard Foundation award-winning book, Chicken and Charcoal. He is responsible for shaping the Hong Kong culinary culture and the master of yakitori, earning him recognition locally and globally. We chat up the chef and find out where he dines when he’s not whipping up innovative new culinary ideas.
For an evening of fine dining…
The place to go for refined French food is Belon. Chef Daniel Calvert’s cooking is always well-executed, focused, and delicious and there’s always something new to try on the menu.
Belon, 41 Elgin Street, SoHo, Central; +852 2152 2872
For a cheeky cheat meal…
Mak Ming Noodles serve classic Hong Kong comfort food. They have the best Soi Gau Wonton Meen — the broth is incredibly clean and deep, the wontons are expertly made, and the noodles are silky.
Mak Ming Noodles, 309 Queen’s Road West, Sai Ying Pun; +852 2633 2368
Mak Ming Noodles, 6 Mercury Street, North Point; +852 2623 9896
For a romantic date night…
Chef Motoyama of Mikasaya is one of my favorite sushi chefs in Hong Kong and the service at Mikasaya is great. He serves extremely high quality fish in a chill and relaxed environment. I always go for the omakase menu. For kaiseki, Kitaohji in Tokyo is a fantastic place for a great meal on a special date or occasion. The food is excellent and the beautifully decorated private rooms are perfect for a memorable date experience.
Mikasaya, Unit B, 2/F, Cameron Plaza, 23 – 25A Cameron Road, Tsim Sha Tsui; +852 2301 3555
For getting friends and family together…
Celebrity Cuisine is a favourite of mine, with with delicious, spot-on Cantonese cooking. Whether you go for dim sum or dinner, make sure to order the crispy paper skinned chicken, fried rice, and sweet and sour pork.
Celebrity Cuisine, 1/F, Lan Kwai Fong Hotel, 3 Kau U Fong, Central; +852 3650 0066
For a healthy detox…
Healthy, simple, and a convenient location to my restaurants, is Be-Juiced + Bar. They have great cold-pressed juices and smoothies that my kids also enjoy.
Be-Juiced + Bar, 45 Peel Street, Central; +852 2668 6231
For happy hour tipples…
When in Tokyo, I like to go to Bloody Angle. This bar is located in Shibuya and is as no frills as you get. It’s one of the best record bars as far as I’m concerned and all of the records they play are available for purchase
Bloody Angle, 4/F, 1 Chrome — 15-16, Shibuya, Tokyo; +81 3 6427 5178
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