Dedicated to BEEF!

I should be overweight by now. By the sheer grace of God, I have somehow managed to maintain my weight even with the last 3 months of extreme gluttony. Even though my jeans still fit the way they should, I may have to start slowing down for fear of my metabolism giving out. Or worse, I could be putting myself at risk for high cholesterol and high blood pressure with the copious amounts of beef and uni consumed lately. On that cherry note, I'd like to introduce you to some of my favorite HK haunts for beef dishes, whether it's a steak of the Japanese Wagyu variety or good ole' NY Siroloin Strip. Perhaps my fears of a lethargic metabolism will just have to wait...

(Above is the Beef Bourguignon at Pastis, Central)

POSTO PUBBLICO, Elgin Street, Soho

I have been to Posto three times in week before: I shit you not. The reason why? Their VEAL MEATBALLS. I don't even like meatballs (especially the steamed ones at dim sum) but for whatever reason, I can't seem to get enough of these giant free-formed balls of spongey yet well seasoned veal meat. The accompanying tomato sauce has the right ratio of savory and tartness and chunks of tomatoes to compliment the main event. A plate of meatballs, a glass of Montalcino, and a side of pasta makes for a perfect organic Italian meal. Price per head approximately $300.

The Grass-fed NY Sirloin at Posto is also excellent. Although much leaner than my usual steak, it's still full flavor and tender. Note of caution, I would stay away from Posto on the weekend. Their service and quality of food becomes a lot spottier when they're busy.

ALLORA, Staunton Street, Soho

Opened just a few months ago, I was skeptical of their expansive menu and lack of customers. Given it's location and decor, it seemed like it would be a winner. Casting my skepticism aside, I boldly ventured into the mostly empty restaurant after a rough Friday night. I was impressed by the grass fed beef burger option and eagerly awaited for its arrival whilst sipping my bloody mary, hoping for a hangover miracle. The burger was just what the doctor ordered. It had a perfectly toasted bun, melted cheddar, crispy bacon, and a gooey egg to top it all off. The burger paddy was also done well, arriving at medium rareness, just as I had ordered it. However, the fries on the other hand were dismal. Tasting of old oil and grease and lacking any seasoning, they were practically inedible. I can't say the other food was great but overall, done well and reasonably priced. This is a good choice if you're looking for place to have a meal without a reservation or when you want to have a proper conversation with your dining companion. In addition to a brunch menu, Allora is serving up a super value prix fixe of 4 courses for $198. This set dinner even includes the option of fresh raw oysters or a steak. Needless to say, I had the steak ;-)

PARADISE OF KING ASIA SEAFOOD HOT POT (Don't you just love this nonsensical English name?), Tung Lung Street, Causeway Bay

Since I can't afford Baoduweng Hot Pot in the Food Forum, Times Sq.,all the time, this place is a wonderful alternative. It's the perfect place to go with a big crowd and get your hot pot on! They have three fatty beef options (lean, fatty, and super fatty---nom nom nom!) and plenty of seafood choices as well. Prices are very reasonable and the restaurant is clean, especially for the location. Expect to pay approximately $200 per head including beer.

PRIME, Civic Square, Elements, Kowloon Station

Another classic steakhouse in the conveniently located Civic Square brought to you by Dining Concepts (same group as Bisteca, Blue Smoke, etc.). The food here is what you'd expect from any high-end steakhouse. All the meat options are done well, especially the Chateaubriand for two and the 24 oz M-9 Wagyu steak, also big enough for 2-3 people. The macaroni and cheese was a lovely blend of three cheeses, and even with it's slightly watery creamy consistency, I would still recommend it. I would, however, take a pass on the hamachi appetizer at it tastes more cocktail sauce than fresh fish. I was pleasantly surprised with the food overall as the chef de cuisine was at Craft before, which I found sub par and an embarrassment to the Dining Concepts Chain. I'm happy to see that they've got their chefs cooking at their best now!

The massive M-9 Wagyu Steak

WAGYU EN, 11 Stanley Street, Central

Tucked away in the same building as MisoCool, I tried this restaurant when the queue at my go-to ramen place proved to be too long. The wait here was a much more manageable time of 10 minutes during peak lunch hour on a Thursday. Although the dishes here are skewed toward the Hong Kong-Chinese palate (their pastas taste Chinese, not Italian), I was still impressed by their wide selection of wagyu beef, all cooked "a punto" at medium-rare. I will definitely be coming back here for their Wagyu steaks and beef bowl which has received much praise. At $88, the wagyu steak cube with curry over rice (including salad and soup) was a great value.

Some other notable mentions include the beef carpaccio at Sushi Kuu and Wagyu Beef roll at Zuma. These dishes display beef at their finest. For those of you with a tighter budget, Wagyu and Wooloomooloo do great lunch specials (ranging from $125-168) that includes a steak option as the main course. Make sure to make a reservation ahead of time for lunch though!

Beef Carpaccio Appetizer at Sushi Kuu, $140

The Shanghai Edition

Summer came and past like a whirlwind and what a mighty fun whirlwind it was! My "summer break" in Shanghai was not only fun but extremely educational from a cultural and gustatory perspective. In fact, I'm so enamored with SH, I'm starting to plot my future life there. Hong Kong will always be my first love and my wifey but I think SH is the new hot mistress!

In addition to loong but fun putonghua classes every day, I did my fair share of sight seeing and eating. The Expo was worth going to but I would definitely keep your expectations realistic---if you've ever been to Italy or Spain, the pavilion will be a mere shadow of the real thing. Needless to say, the Expo is for the locals that will never get a chance to travel to those places. For me, I couldn't imagine queuing up for hours!

Now back to the FOOD, below is a list of some of the more high-end Chinese places that are highly recommended in Shanghai. Further down, I'll highlight some of my favorite western restaurants. Sadly, the western food options were on the whole, better than Hong Kong. I liked the Chinese food in Shanghai but at the end of the day, I'm a Cantonese food lover at heart. I missed the clean flavors and of course, the fresh seafood, which is hard to come by in Shanghai.

1) Lost Heaven - Yunan cuisine located in the Bund and French Concession area http://www.lostheaven.com.cn/main.html This is also a great place to grab drinks after work or dinner as their is a DJ and a lot of beautiful people :)

The address in the French Concession area is: 38 Gaoyou Lu, near Fuxing Xi Lu. Tel: 6433 5126

2) Yé Shanghai - traditional upscale Shanghainese cuisine located in Xintiandi. They have good xialongbao, sweet and sour pork and mango pudding. Xintiandi-338 Huangpi Nan Lu. Tel: 6311 2323

3) Paul's: Another famous Shanghainese restaurant who's menu has recently expanded to include Cantonese and Sichuan fare. Some of the favorite dishes include the river prawns wok friend with broad beans (shuijing xiaren) and a fusion dish of fried dough rolls stuffed with minced seafood, topped with a thousand island dressing (youtia haixian juan). 271 Fumin Lu. Tel: 6279 2827

4) Pin Chuan: specializing in spicy Sichuan dishes, this is a casual restaurant in the French Concession area. They have the classic spicy chengdu style chicken, poached sliced beef and the customer favorite is the "old nanny fish." 47 Taojian Lu (near Wulumuqi Nan Lu). Tel. 6437 9361

5) Xiao Nan Guo: This restaurant is a SH institution. They serve up reliable Shanghainese cuisine in a stylish setting. 9th floor of Super Brand Mall, 168 Lujiazui Xi Lu, near Fucheng Lu, Pudong. They also have other locations on the Puxi side so check with your hotel concierge to see which is closer.

6) Fu 1088 - they serve traditional cuisine with updated interpretations in an antique filled villa. I have not eaten here but the reviews have been great. 375 Zhenning Lu, near Yuyuan Lu, Jingan district. Tel 53239 7878

7) Xin Guang - considered the godfather of hairy crab restaurants, Xin Guang is worth checking out if you want the full, authentic Shanghainese cuisine experience. I'm not sure if the crabs are in season though so please check with concierge again. People's Sq., Building 7, Hongqiao State Guest Hotel, 1591 Hongqiao Shuicheng Lu, Changning district. Tel. 6322 3978

8) Fuxing Hui - another classic Shanghainese restaurant in the French Concession area. It's an elegant restaurant also in an old villa. Meal for two will only run about $250 RMB. I would suggest the stewed pork meatballs with crabmeat in a clear broth and the cold chicken ('boiled chiken') from Chonming island which is served with a soy, garlic, and ginger dipping sauce. 1479 Fuxing Zhong Lu, near Huahai Zhong lu, Xuhui district. Tel. 6433 6955

DA MARCO's

As I entered this cheesy Italian ristorante tucked away in an equally cheesy hotel, I was almost certain that my dining experience would be lackluster. Needless to say, when my sublime homemade fettucini with eggplant, ricotta, and vine ripened tomatoes arrived, I was more than pleasantly surprised. Not only were the pastas and pizzas made in a traditional manner, the portions were large by Chinese standards. Furthermore, the prices made this a place that I would include into my weekly rotation if I lived in Shangherz. A shared starter of lightly fried calamari, a pasta, and a peroni set me back a very reasonable $110 RMB.

MAYA

I can't believe that I'm saying this but I think Maya serves up the best contemporary Mexican that I have had, to date. I'm a die-hard fan of Zarela's amongst other modern Latin eateries in NYC but I have officially raised Maya to the golden standard. From the exotic drinks to my perfectly seared truffle encrusted tuna served over a fresh corn and bean salad, my meal shared with 10 friends far exceeded my expectations. Although Maya is hidden in a residential complex on Julu lu, the interior of the restaurant was tastefully done and the service was excellent. Shanghai has truly impressed me with the quantity and breadth of dining options and Maya is a definite knock-out amongst the rest. Three courses plus one drink costs approximately $300-400 RMB per head.

I usually don't even like tuna!

Felipe's Carne Asada---increible!

Dessert platter served with churros with jam and fresh creme, molten chocolate cake and cinnamon ice cream, pumpkin cheesecake, and creme brulee. Lo mejor churro he comido en mi vida!

MESA MANIFESTO

I enjoyed a beautiful Saturday brunch with my French school mate, Lumi. Mesa serves up wholesome food with flair. Some unusual touches include their champagne scrambled eggs featured below and eggs florentine with sun dried tomato hollandaise. In addition to the airy and lofty space below, Mesa boats a large rustic wood terrace upstairs equipped with misting fans. Not only is this a great place to meet for drinks after work, you won't be disappointed by the food nor the ambience. Brunch with a smoothie and coffee cost approximately $250 RMB.

NOUGATINE

I will be first to admit that it often seems that I forget that I'm a student and eat as if I still have my Wall St. job. However, in my defense, I am adept at finding fine dining values. Case in point, Jean George is now offering an affordable three course prix fixe at their flagship restaurant's lounge area, Nougatine,for $205 RMB. This is by far, is the most exquisite meal I have had at such a reasonable price. Our set meal included a diaphanous steak tartar served with potato stix reminiscent of my childhood. The unusual addition of lime juice gave it the extra Jean George-"umph". The second course was the pan seared red snapper pictured below served on top of an intense seafood consomme with a touch of cream and fava beans. The third course was a disappointment as it was simply just a cheesecake served with raspberries and nothing more. Some other notable mentions, however, include the caesar salad, which quite possibly was the best caesar salad I've ever had in my life and the black truffle pizza. This seems to be a reoccurring theme in Shanghai!

Steak Tartar

Black truffle pizza with fontina and gorgonzola cheese: pizza at its most decadent

Pan seared snapper with a broth so good, not a single drop was left

MR. AND MRS. BUND
I was totally enamored with the sexy Alice and Wonderland decor of this restaurant. Their menu is as thick as a book so be prepared to be overwhelmed with their many options. Presentation is a definite highlight at this restaurant but thankfully, this does not overshadow the food. Even the fresh baguette is delicious and served with a homemade pate on the house. The people that come here to dine are sexy, and the food can definitely get you in the mood, so bring a hot date, indulge in the filet with seared foie and then head up to Bar Rouge for some late night boogying. Price per head including wine, $600-700 RMB

12 oz. Filet with seared foie gras and a balsamic reduction

White Truffle Risotto

GOGA
This tiny little restaurant (although they do have a rooftop upstairs) serves up San Francisco fare right in the heart of Shanghai. The ingredients are all locally sourced but the flavors are truly West Coast. The food also seems to be on the healthier side with a lot of veggie and fresh seafood options. Some highlights include the cabbage salad with chicken and lobster roll. Price per head including a drink is approximately $200-250 RMB

BELLAGIO

I have one word to describe this restaurant: OBSESSED! I can't get enough of this Taiwanese chain. We were so mad about the cruller stuffed with mayonaise shrimp that we ordered it again (mind you, after we had already ordered dessert!). Absolutely all the dishes we tried here were great, including their mango drinks and dessert offerings. This a must for those that love flavorful Taiwanese at a remarkable price. Price per head including drinks and multiple desserts $100 RMB per head.

Fried cruller stuffed with shrimp in a mayonaise and pineapple sauce

Garlic and scallion chicken. This with a bowl of rice could be a complete meal

Taiwanese shaved ice with all the classic topics, or "jewels" as Jackie would say ;-)

Summertime!

With spring semester behind me and the summer semester in full-swing, I'm feeling cheery and positive about an otherwise sweltering, humid, and grumpiness-inducing three month stretch in Hong Kong. Mosquito bites, 120% humidity, and heat rash---I dare you to damper my good mood!

I feel so blessed for all the wonderful people in my life and am so thankful for all of the great experiences and opportunities that I've had in Hong Kong thus far. Every day is an adventure and I never thought that at the age of 25, I would be starting another major chapter in my life that would be so rewarding. It feels like a mini-rebirth and I hope the good times continue to roll....

I recently went to Phuket, which would be my 3rd visit to Thailand since I moved to HK. Phuket was beautiful but I must admit, I had more fun on my last trip to Thailand. A 2 day visit + 3 day visit to Hua Hin to me, is a more perfect combination of night life/shopping/beach/and spa. Phuket's snorkelling was truly amazing though and the surrounding islands were lovely and definitely worth the visit.

I'll have a few weeks of in August after my internship so I'm thinking about doing an intensive Mandarin course. That is if the promise of a white-sand beach doesn't lure me away!

The start have summer has been great so far with some lovely and relatively low humid weather and lots of visitors!

Kellie and Me at the top of Azure, Hotel LKF

Nicole, Kellie Me and Erica in Harbour City

My JD gang at Chocolate, our local watering hole

Helen's Going Away Party: Black glam with the ladies that lunch!

HK Art Fair 2010: hopefully my future living room mural

While on my 2 month hiatus from blogging, I've been doing some serious eating. Thai delights aside, I've augmented my HK restaurant list significantly. Below are some highlights:

BISTECA - Lan Kwai Fong, Central

After my dismal experience at Craft steakhouse in Soho, I had little hopes for a top notch steak house experience in Hong Kong. It seemed that I would be doomed to chewy and sinewy meat or over-processed options unless I wanted to shell out serious cash for the Wagyu and Kobe cuts at various Japanese outlets. Thankfully, the Dining Concepts group has yet again churned out a consistent and delicious steakhouse restaurant right in the heart of LKF. Located on the second floor, next to Tuscan H, I was pleasantly surprised by the perfectly prepared steaks and the homey décor. I particularly liked their 8 oz filet, which was perfectly tender and well-seasoned, served on its own wooden cutting board. Bisteca also has creative sides served in cast iron skillets. Everything was done well from the fresh baked focaccia to the creamed spinach. It's a little more pricey than the other steak places but definitely worth the price. Steaks start at around $265 HKD ($35USD) and sides are about $35HKD

BLUE SMOKE - Lan Kwai Fong, Central

Ladies and gentleman, southern BBQ has arrived to HK! Blue Smoke, much like the version in NYC, has great ribs, brisket, and an authentic rustic décor. I love the wooden picnic tables, open air space, and where else do you get served complimentary cornbread and freshly fried bacon as starters? I didn't love the baked mac & cheese nor the lamb ribs, but the creamed corn was fantastic as was the key lime pie. The Chef and owner, Chris, is Canadian, and also is part owner of Bisteca located downstairs. Blue Smoke is a great place to bring friends as they have large tables perfect for get togethers. Be expected to pay $200-300 per head including a drink.

Baby back ribs, creamed corn and spinach

PASTIS - Wyndham St, Central

Pastis serves up solid french fare that did not disappoint. I was impressed with the authenticity and full flavor of the dishes that we tried. The menu is relatively limited so I would stick with the beef bourguignon, garlic shrimp, and escargot. Make a reservation as seating is very limited.

Beef Bourguignon

Classic Escargot!

COAST - Soho, Central

For their easily acceible location right on the escalator to Soho, I would say that this restaurant is a good value. I thoroughly enjoyed their Australian and mediterranean fare ranging from their Aussie kangaroo pie to their baramundi fish and chips. I also liked their mushy peas and brussel sprouts and proscioutto sides. Coast is great for large groups as they have sharing plates and large tables. They have $110 HKD Mussel Mondays and also serve up a tastey steak for approx $285 and up. Just beware that they sometimes run out of mussels on Monday so try and get there early! Some things to avoid would include the risotto balls and the desserts as the variety is limited and they aren't particularly delicate.

Maine Crab and Asparagus Risotto

Bottomless Mussels: tomato and chilli sauce

GOURMET BURGER UNION - Soho, Central (various locations)

I'm officially a big fan of Burger Union's innumerable offerings of well-dressed and well-priced burgers. As the burger and bbq trend is in full swing in HK, sometimes it's hard to tell where you'll actually get a decent burger. Having had burgers at the nearby Frites and the Peak Cafe, I must say that Burger Union's stood out. The Double Truffle and the Portobello burgers were exceptionally good. Everything is cooked fresh to order in a no-nonsense environment. In addition to chilli, fries, and poutine sides, they also have a long list of killer milkshakes that will enhance your calorie bonanza.

Double Truffle and Portobello Burgers

Models, Bottles, Trannies and Duck Tongues?

Have you ever woken up from what felt like a looong-ass dream only to realize it was the playback of the events of the night before? Bits and pieces start to piece together and you try and extract the real from the surreal and for a moment, you wonder, did I really do that? Did that really happen? Do I have all my shit with me, my purse, my keys, etc? Needless to say, weekday partying can often have that affect as the people that come out to play Mon-Thurs tend to be all together, different beasts. I'm talking models, trannies, and ping pong tables---stuff that movies are made of. I can't help but feel that I may have experienced a mini Fear and Loathing in Hong Kong minus all the psychedelic drugs.

Usually, I shy away from the Dragon-i crowd as I fall about one foot short of the minimum height requirement and starving myself is not in my job description. Nonetheless, my good friend Philip convinced me to come meet his friends that were, "very pretty, very nice, but not so smart." The close proximity of the venue and the promise of eye candy seemed like good enough reasons so I trotted along to Dragon-i only to cross the street minutes later to Tasmania Ballroom. If you have not been to Tasmania yet, I highly highly recommend it. The space is lovely: electro cave meets the library of Azure. I loved the color palate, layout of the tables and the terrace with comfy leather banquettes. Only in NYC would I expect to find this eclectic mix of spunk, funk and chic. This may be my new favorite hang-out in LKF when I'm feeling chichi.

After a couple of hours of making small talk with Philip's lovely model friends and watching the full spectrum of patrons playing ping pong (some dressed to the nines in full suit, some more casual in sweatpants), the night seemed to be coming to a close. As we were leaving Tasmania, we were accosted by a lovely woman in a body conscious black knit dress and fierce red patent heels. I looked at her bewildered and she replied quickly, "I'm PAULA! Philip's friend. You're cute, let me buy you a drink!" As if entranced by her trantastic beauty I obliged and let her drag me back upstairs. With her iron grip on my hand, she casually told me on the stairwell, "I'm a boy." In a deadpan voice I replied, "I know." Clearly I didn't get the memo on what a nice response would've been such as, "oh wow, I had no idea, you look so feminine, blah blah blah." Oops!

Several vodka tonics later, models and trannies gone wild on the ping pong tables, on the dance floor, and on the terrace, we relocated to the only place still open, Buddha Lounge. Clearly this is not one of my favorite place as they tend to pump out corny happy house/trance till the wee hours. I also unwittingly forgot that they just so happen to have a stripper pole. The models left with us (both men, both straight supposedly) were beginning to lose their inhibition as the trannies sashayed, shimmied, and cast their alcohol fueled spells on the poor boys. Having had my fair share of booze and booty shaking, it was time for me to go home before I had to witness to the thai ladyboy's fantasies unfold before my eyes.

Other colorful events transpired but I'm guessing they're most likely inappropriate to discuss in this forum;-) You'll just have to ask me what else happened next time we're out or when you're in HK!

So back to the real importance of this blog, FOOD! I finally had the opportunity to visit Hung's Delicacies on Wharf Street in North Point. My journalist friend had mentioned it on several occasions and since it did receive a Michelin Star I figured it was worth trekking out for (I only say trek b/c I do not know North Point very well; it's in fact very close to the MTR and not hard to find). I absolutely have to recommend this restaurant even with it's cramped seating and notorious long waits for a table that you'll most likely have to share. Everything was done well from their chicken feet to their Chiu Chow platter with sliced goose, chicken and tofu (you can "make-your-own" platter for those of you who want pig's intestines, etc). Their signature dry noodles with bean sprouts and XO sauce also did not disappoint. Feeling brave, we also tried their duck tongues, which were spicy and flavorful but difficult to eat. I wasn't sure what to do with the tentacle looking bits. I must commend my gui lo friend that accompanied me for being adventurous and up for trying just about anything. I know I will be back to try everything else on their menu!

Hung's Delicacies, Wharf Street, North Point
Best chicken feet I've ever had (seriously) that were tossed in a peanutty and peppery sauce. They conveniently debone these for you so if you like gnawing on the cartilage I would not recommend this dish for you.



Spicy duck tongues anyone?



These noodles were done in a dry style but were still evenly coated in XO sauce and generously tossed with bean sprouts. Even the side of soup that came with it was a tasty chicken broth that was not your typical msg-water.




The best sliced goose I have had in Hong Kong to date! Not too salty and perfectly tender and moist.

Resurfacing...

After a stressful couple of months of application filling, "career discussions" over coffee, recruiting events, and a few rounds of interviewing, I can proudly say that I have a summer vacation placement (aka summer associate position) with Skadden's HK office. Not only am I thrilled to have the opportunity to work at such a great firm but I'm super-duper relieved that I'm not going to be unemployed! I was seriously worrying about my chances of getting a good job due to my less than stellar Mandarin speaking ability and kindergarten level of Chinese literacy. Looks like a I got a pass card this time by signing myself up for Mandarin class! Now I just have midterms to worry about which will entail lots of reading to catch up on!

Work and studies aside, my Mom has been visiting me for over a month now. I've really enjoyed having her here and although it's been trying at times with the tight accommodations and constant eating extravaganza, I feel blessed to have such a caring Mummy who is supportive and only crazy 20% of the time ;-) (this may be a deflated value haha). My little sister, Alyssa, also just arrived this week. She is on spring break and we've been doing the requisite shopping, relative visiting, and of course, lots and lots of eating! I know after they leave I will have some semblance of my former schedule back and my productivity will shoot sky high but I will be sad --- just thinking about it makes me teary : (

I know I am very long over due on dining updates so below are a few quick reviews of some of the places I've been to (sorry for repeat FB picture posts!)

Wah Fung: Located on 112 Wellington St, Central
Nothing beats a roasted goose/roasted pork, egg white fried rice with ham, and daily soup combo for $50HKD (talk about full-spread for the Central area) Their roasted goose is better than Yung Kee's in my opinion and when the roast pork is fresh, it has the perfect ratio of crunchy/crispy skin to fatty meat. They also have a number of small dishes that go well with rice and even afternoon tea and breakfast options. Wah Fung recently went through an extensive renovation so the seating is good and toilets are clean (bonus points!!!)



Cafe Gray at the Upperhouse in Admiralty
I'm so happy that Café Gray moved their flagship restaurant from NYC to HK. I really enjoyed their famous braised short ribs over a bed of creamy polenta. They have a very economical lunch time prix fixe. It has only been open for 3 months though so reservations are hard to come by. I wasn't particularly impressed by their steak tartar starter but I did like their quail and beet salad. The ambience, views, and delicious (albeit unorthodoxly delicious flavor combos) really made this one of my favorite restaurants in HK. For a full belly and coffee/dessert (no wine) expect to pay $350-400 per head.

Lei Garden: IFC, Central

Classy Canto Cuisine (CCC!) is served here. It's a chic setting for top notch Chinese food; they have multiple locations including Wan Chai and IFC, Central. All of their dishes are done well although generally speaking, are at a higher price point. This is definitely a place for the expense account or a fancy family affair with hard to please relatives. Dishes to try include their golden yoke shrimp, sweet and tangy spareribs served with fried buns, soup of the day or sharkfin soups if you've got the $$$.

Budaoweng Hot Pot in Food Forum (11th floor), Times Sq, Causeway Bay

I will have to admit that I am a hot pot snob. I do not particularly like the all-you-can-eat for $100HKD and much prefer a more quality experience (especially when Mom is paying!). I really like the consistent produce, meat, and service at Budaoweng, which is conveniently located in Times Sq and in Jordan (literally two steps from the MTR). I highly recommend the geoduck and the large "bamboo flower" shrimp as sashimi and to add into the hot pot. They will even stir fry the heads and extra bits for you at no extra cost (Salt and pepper shrimp heads anyone?). Their signature hand formed mixed balls, veggie platters, and ostrich are also great choices. Their soup bases are delicious as well---tom yum is my favorite even if it is a bit on the saltier side. Expect to pay around $300-500 HKD per head.

Just Breathe...

With the onslaught of second semester assignments, readings, job applications, student government elections (and the list goes on..) it seems that I've barely had a moment to breathe. I keep reminding myself that I can do it, I just have to keep focused and prioritize activities each day. Although I am determined, I can't help but feel a bit depressed--- like I'm an automaton, checking off the boxes, moving from one task to the next. Not even the random splurge at Lane Crawford seems to be able to boost my mood. Normally retail therapy makes everything better! Is this a sign of a more deep rooted problem? I surely hope not!



On a much brighter note, I am very glad to be back as I've missed my girl friends! It was great to see all my local HK and JD friends last weekend. To the left are my best gfs in HK, Bonnie and Justine.

I've also been much happier about returning to delicious Hong Kong food and Asian-sized portions. I was starting to get a little ice cream belly while being home in the States! It seems that I've finally gotten over my bronchitis so that means no excuses for logging in gym time. I must admit though, hiking up the hills in central and the mid-levels is no joke so that's been great exercise.


Since I've been back, I've been going back to some of my favorites including Wasabisabi in Causeway Bay and Nha Trang in Central. Below are some highlights:


I can't get over how delicious the soft shell crab spring rolls are at Nha Trang. I have to eat these almost every other day and at $46HKD, they're very affordable!


In addition to knock-out pho and other standard Viet specials, their Shaken beef with fried garlic, snow peas, and cherry tomatoes is also an outstanding dish. It's rare to eat good red meat in HK but this dish definitely hits the spot at $68 + $15 for a side of garlic rice


Moving right along, I can't stress how good Wasabisabi is, especially when they offer 20% the bill when you sit at the bar. It saddens me to see them so empty at peak dinner time on a Monday night.

Oh-toro and uni sushi wrapped in shiso leaf ---so beautiful, it melts in your mouth ($110 for two pieces)


My favorite appetizer hands down is the seared foie gras and Japanese cucumber. It's a very hearty portion for $88HKD! I could eat three servings with a bowl of rice as a meal. For foie lovers, this is a must!


Main dish: Australian Wagyu beaf tenderly wrapped around morels, seared, and served with daikon. Not pretty to look at but absolutely divine to eat!


Main dish: This was the grilled giant prawn with uni sauce. Sadly, the execution failed as the prawn was not cooked properly throughout and the uni sauce was entirely one dimensional. It needed an additional flavor, perhaps a citrus like yuzu or even shiso leaf to make this dish worthy of a two thumbs up. I would definitely discourage any one from ordering this dish.



Thankfully, the meal continued onto a glorious finish with the indulgent but perfectly portioned green tea creme brulee. I just can't seem to get enough of this dessert. There's something about the creaminess of the brulee that pairs so nicely with their caramelized top. If I didn't care about calories, I would eat this every day. Seriously.


Lastly, has anyone tried rice pizza yet? I walked by this establishment while shopping near Sogo in Causeway Bay with Justine. She tried to convince me that there are some tasty options but I'm a bit skeptical...something about a rice based crust topped with ham and pineapple just seems wrong!