Showing posts with label ~Travel: Hong Kong. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ~Travel: Hong Kong. Show all posts

Thursday 9 February 2012

Chuk Yuen Seafood Restaurant 竹園海鮮飯店 (Hong Kong)

This is our last lunch in Hong Kong. We did not have dim sum during this trip and were searching for a dim sum restaurant near our hotel. In the end, we found this restaurant called 'Chuk Yuen Seafood Restaurant' located 10 minutes walk away from Tsim Sha Tsui MTR.

Chuk Yuen Seafood Restaurant is a local seafood restaurant that has been around a long time. It is known for its fresh seafood at reasonable price and generous portions. As you enter the restaurant, you will notice many fish tanks filled with a variety of seafood such as lobsters, crabs, fishes, crayfish, calms, frogs and prawns.
Entrance of Chuk Yuen Seafood (Tsim Sha Tsui)
The entrance to Chuk Yuen Seafood Restaurant is easy to miss as it has just a small entrance. The restaurant is located at the basement and has a huge sitting capacity!
Dim Sum Menu (a)
Dim Sum Menu (b)
They have an English menu for customers which is not a common practise as most restaurants only have Chinese menu. All you would need to do is tick and indicate the number of plates of dim sum you wish to order. 
Hairy Crab Menu
As it is the hairy crab season, we were actively looking for hairy crab when we were in Hong Kong. Hence, when we saw that this restaurant serves hairy crab, we decided to order 3, half for each of us. We did not order 6 as we had already ordered too much food. (eating hairy crab in Singapore can burn a hole in your pocket. The best place to eat hairy crab is in China, where it is cheap and good!) 
Chicken Feet in Chinese Herbal Soup HK$30 (S$5)
I like eating chicken feet / claws. But I must admit this is the first time I had such a dish/dim sum; Chicken Feet in Chinese Herbal Soup. Surprisingly, this dish is a cold dish. I am a fan of herbal stuff and also chicken feet. Hence, of course, I would strongly recommend this dish! 
Look at the amount of herbals being used in the Chicken Feet in Chinese Herbal Soup. There was just a little amount of soup in the bowl (as shown in above picture). Nevertheless, I drank up almost all the soup. The soup was very strong in herbal taste. If you are not a fan of herbs, this is a dish to avoid. 
Steamed Rice Flour Roll with Barbecued Pork HK$19 (S$3.16)
The rice flour roll was thin and smooth, was an average dish. 
Steamed Rice Flour Roll Up Crispy Stick HK$19 (S$3.16)
The Steamed Rice Flour Roll Up Crispy Stick was delicious. Outside was soft and smooth. Inside was crispy and rough. 
Baked Barbecued Pork Pastry HK$22 (S$3.66)
Crispy pastry on the outside, inside filled with fragrant barbecued pork. 
Steamed Creamy Yolky Bun HK$16 (S$2.67)

The Steamed Creamy Yolky Bun was average. the custard inside was more solid than liquid (should be molten) and not aromatic. I prefer the Golden Egg Yolk Lava Bun at Victor's Kitchen in Singapore.
Pan Fried Turnip Cake with XO Sauce HK$19 (S$3.16)
The Pan Fried Turnip Cake with XO Sauce was on the oily end. Despite that, this dish was delicious! Slices of chilli was added to give it a slightly spicy taste. By the time this dish arrived, we were already quite full. 
Steamed Mini Meat Bun HK$19 (S$3.16)
The Steamed Mini Meat Bun or Xiao Long Bao (commonly called in China and Singapore) was disappointing. Not much soup in the bun. The skin was too thick. 
Steamed 'Siu Mai' Topped with Crab's Seed HK$22 (S$3.67)
The Steamed 'Siu Mai' Topped with Crab's Seed was also disappointing. In addition, the meat had a weird after-taste. 
Deluxe Shanghai's Crab HK$198 (S$33)
The Deluxe Shanghai's Crab is what we commonly call Hairy Crab (steamed). If you noticed, the picture above only shows half a crab. Well, the reason was because we ordered 3 hairy crabs, but there were 6 of us. When the waiter arrived with the crab he noticed this and immediately asked if we were sharing. We replied yes and the waiter took the dish back. When he came back, we noticed that there was 6 plates. In each plate, there was half a crab each. Each plate had the same number of legs (4), same number of pincer (1) and half the body! What a service! Everything has been cut up nicely. 

The roe of the hairy crab was good! Delicious and sinful! I am a fan of hairy crab! Although, I have tasted better ones from Shanghai, this was my first and only hairy crab in 2011. Hence, I was satisfied!
Moreover, each of us were given a set of 'tools' to assist us with eating the hairy crab.
Hot Face Towels
When we went into the toilet, we saw this (above photo) next to the sink. When we opened it, we saw that there were hot face towels in it! I am won over by the service in this restaurant, when the staff cut and spilt the hairy crab equally. With this hot towels, it blew me over! I am amazed over the little things the restaurant pay attention to give customers a good overall experience.

To conclude, Chuk Yuen Seafood Restaurant provides very good service and good food! The must order if you visit are Chicken Feet in Chinese Herbal Soup, Steamed Rice Flour Roll Up Crispy Stick, Pan Fried Turnip Cake with XO Sauce and  Deluxe Shanghai's Crab (if hairy crab is in the season). 

Food for thought: it has been a long time since I entered a restaurant in Singapore that provides good food and good service (to the extend of this restaurant). When was the last time hot towel was given to you in a restaurant? Hmmm, I can't recall.  

Chuk Yuen Seafood Restaurant 竹園海鮮飯店 (Hong Kong)
Basement, HK Pacific Centre
28 Hankow Road
Tsim Sha Tsui (Near Tsim Sha Tsui MTR, Exit C1)
Tel: (852) 2722 0633
Opening Hours: Mon to Sat 11am - 12mn
                          Sun 10am - 12mn
Website (for the rest of the outlets)
Location

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Monday 6 February 2012

Hoixe Cake Shop 凱施餅店 (Hong Kong)

Hoixe Cake Shop 凱施餅店 is a local bakery in Hong Kong. Hoixe Cake Shop has many outlets all over Hong Kong, in shopping malls, along the streets and even in the MTR (subway). It is similar to 'Bread Talk'. Selling items such as bread, bun and egg tarts.

During our stay, we must have patronise Hoixe Cake Shop at least 4 times! Before we flew back to Singapore, we bought 14 brought sponge cakes and ate quite a few of them on the plane.
The sponge cakes are very soft and fluffy. There are 4 different flavours to choose from.
Chocolate Spong Cake
Pandan Sponge Cake
Orange Sponge Cake
Sesame Sponge Cake
If you are looking for breads and buns from a bakery,  Hoixe Cake Shop 凱施餅店 is a good bet!


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Monday 30 January 2012

Citygate Outlets Food Court (Hong Kong)

We went to Ngong Ping 360 to visit the Giant Buddha. After that visit, we took a cable car back and went to Citygate Outlet for lunch. Citygate Outlet is a shopping mall with international brands offering discounts all year (305-70%) round.

As it was around 1230pm, there was queues at the restaurants. Hence, we decided to eat at the food court which is operated by Food Republic. Very similar to food courts in Singapore in terms of food, variety, layout and concept.
After walking 1 round, I had no idea what to eat. I wanted to eat something that cannot be found in Singapore. In the end, I decided on the stall called Noodle & Congee.

Menu (Chef's Recommendation)
I ordered Set A: Wonton Lo Mein with Steamed Vegetable HK$40 (S$6.67).
Set A: Wanton Noodles with Steamed Vegetable
The Wanton Noodles was so-so, well this is a food court after all. If you have time, you would be better off going somewhere else.

Citygate Outles Food Court (Hong Kong)
20 Tat Tung Road(Near Tung Chung MTR, Exit B)
Food Republic, Level 2
Location
Location
Cable Car Terminal to is located at the top left corner of the map.


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Friday 27 January 2012

Mak's Noodle 麥奀雲吞麵世家 (Hong Kong)

Mak's Noodle 麥奀雲吞麵世家 has been around for a long time since 1968 and pride itself with having been awarded with a Michelin guide recommendation. (it is also one of the World's cheapest Michelin starred restaurant) In addition, it has a reputation for specialising in serving one of the best wantons noodles in Hong Kong.

Today, Mak's Noodle has several outlets in Hong Kong and Macau. We visited the outlet at The Peak. It is located just on the ground floor of The Peak Galleria.

Since there's 6 of us, we ordered 3 "Sets for 2's (A)". Each Set of "Sets for 2's (A)" cost HK$125 (S$20.83) consist of 2 Wonton with Nooodles in Soup, 1 Pork & Shrimp Dumpling in Soup and 1 Vegetable with Oyster Sauce.
Wanton Noodles
sidenote: the chilli at the top left background is delicious
Mak's Noodle Wanton Noodles are served in standard rice bowl. This is to prevent the noodles from absorbing all the broth and becoming soggy. (I doubt the theory) The noodles were springy and seemed to be entangled together. Moreover, it is quite different from those in Singapore. The broth was unique. It was clear and very tasty. Most likely have been cooked using pork bones and shrimps.  Each wanton contained 1 piece of prawn that was very fresh and crunchy. Moreover, it was wrapped in a very thin wanton skin that enhanced the crunchness.

The portion is small if you are hungry, one bowl will not be enough. As a result, I ordered 1 more bowl of Wonton Noodle from the a la carte menu which cost HK$33 (S$5.50)
Pork & Shrimp Dumpling in Soup
Pork & Shrimp Dumpling in Soup was delicious. The broth is is similar to the one in the wanton noodles. The dumplings contained mined pork, shrimp, bamboo shoots and water chestnut. The dumpling was well marinated, very flavourful and crunchy.
Vegetable with Oyster Sauce
Vegetable with Oyster Sauce was a simple dish. Steamed vegetable that was cooked just right with oyster sauce. Again, the big stems was an unpleasant sight at first. But after trying it, I find that I like it! Very crunchy and fresh! A simple dish yet so delicious! I am starting to feel the difference between the vegetables we eat in Singapore and Hong Kong/China. Hong Kong and China's vegetables are just so big and fresh.

Overall, the food at Mak's Noodle was delicious! But the portion of the wanton noodle is really way to small for a guy. Ordering an a la carte bowl of wanton noodle is quite expensive considering the small portion. With the set, it is more value for money. I will definitely be back if I am in Hong Kong again, quite like the vegetables and dumplings.

Mak's Noodle 麥奀雲吞麵世家 (Hong Kong)
Shop, 1 G/F, The Peak Galleria
118 Peak Road
Opening Hours: Daily 11am to 8pm
Location


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Wednesday 25 January 2012

Hui Lau Shan 許留山 (Hong Kong)

Hui Lau Shan 許留山 is the most popular dessert chain in Hong Kong. It is known for its fresh fruits used in desserts especially Mango.
We visited the Hui Lau Shan outlet at Hong Kong China Ferry Terminal. As we were in a rush, we could not afford to order desserts. Instead, we did the next best thing which was to order its drinks.
Part of the Drinks Menu
Honeydew Melon Juice (cold)
This is the Honeydew Melon Juice (cold) HK$21 (S$3.50) from the menu 'C1: Honeydew Melon Juice from Aloe & Aloe Series'.
Mango Jelly (cold)
Mango Jelly (cold) HK$21 (S$3.50) from the menu 'B6: Mango Jelly from Mango & Coconut Series'.
Mango Jelly (cold)
Mango Jelly (cold) HK$22 (S$3.67) again, this time for the menu 'A1: Mango Jelly from Mango & Mango Juice Series'.

The drinks were very refreshing. However, drinking the cold drinks out in the cold at 10 Degree Celsius was no joke. Out of the three, the one that stood out was the B6: Mango Jelly with Coconut. The Coconut enhanced the fragrant of the drink.

Hui Lau Shan has many outlets in Hong Kong. Hence, there is no need to list down its location. Moreover, they have so many outlets that it is very easy to find the outlets. Ask any locals and they will be able to help direct you to the nearest outlet!

Location

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Sunday 15 January 2012

Yung Kee Restaurant 鏞記酒家 (Hong Kong)

Yung Kee Restaurant is a Chinese Cantonese restaurant reowned for its Roasted Goose and Century Eggs. It has been reported that they sell as many as 300 Geese per day!
Yung Kee restaurant is located along Wellington Street, 5 minutes walk from Central MTR Exit D2. It is located in Yung Kee Building (yes, they owned the building!). If you are lost, ask the locals!
We were directed to level 2 where we saw a large crowd of people gathering around a lady who was in charge of giving out queue numbers and assigning seats. We were assigned a number and told to come back 1 hour later. We decided to go to Tsui Wah Restaurant located opposite for some bites before coming back as we were starving.
Waiting Area
Waiting Area
When we came back, I spotted this sign saying waiting area. True enough, Yung Kee has dedicated a corner as a waiting area with seats and magazines on a rack. We waited just like everyone else. Luckily for us, we managed to get a table soon after coming in. In total, the time when we got the queue number to the time we were assigned a table was 45minutes.
A very packed level 2


Menu Cover
Chrysanthemum tea (per person) HK$12 (S$2) to quench our thirst. It comes in a pot which is refillable.
Century Egg and Pickled Ginger (per person) 
The famous Century Egg served with Pickled Ginger (per person) at HK$10 (S$1.66). Each person gets half a slice of the century egg. This appetizer looks different from those in Singapore. It is the best century egg I have eaten. So smooth, so soft, so tasty! Now I know why some people take the trouble to bring this back to Singapore!
Roasted Goose (Half)

Braised Soya Beans beneath the Roasted Goose.
The award winning Roasted Goose (half) HK$230 (S$38.33). Fragrant and flavourful roasted goose that was crispy on the outside yet soft, tender and juicy on the inside. There were braised soya beans beneath the roasted goose that soaked up all the drippings from the goose making it fragrant and flavourful. Description is pointless for this dish, you got to try this yourself!
Vegetable with Oyster Sauce
Vegetable with Oyster Sauce HK$75 (S$12.50). Honestly I have no idea what this vegetable is. The vegetable was big and fresh, paired well with the oyster sauce.
Chinese 'Waxed' Sausage & Preserved Fresh Goose Liver Sausage 
We also ordered the Chinese 'Waxed' Sausage (lap cheong) & Preserved Fresh Goose Liver Sausage. The Chinese 'Waxed' Sausage was delicious. But the Preserved Fresh Goose Liver Sausage was too adventurous for me.
Fried Rice in Yangzhou Style
Fried Rice in Yangzhou Style (Large Portion) HK$145 (S$24.16). Lots of ingredients (shrimps, char siew, egg, scallions) and was well fried. Certainly another dish to try.

From this meal, I can conclude that a stay in Hong Kong is not completed without stopping over at Yung Kee. The 'die die must try' dishes are the Roasted Goose and Century Eggs. The food here is definitely worth the wait!
As we were leaving, we saw this sign that states that all the roasted geese have been sold out!

If you know when you are coming over, do ensure that you make a reservation for not only a table but also the goose!

ps: H&M is located nearby.

Yung Kee Restaurant  鏞記酒家 (Hong Kong)
32 Wellington Street, Yung Kee Building
Central, Hong Kong (Near Central MTR, Exit D2)
Tel: (852) 2552 1624
Opening Hours: Daily 11am to 1130pm
Website
For reservations below 5 pax: http://www.yungkee.com.hk/reserve/reserve-e.html
Location
Location

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