City Slicker: 6 Hip Hong Kong restaurants to dine at

rachelzheng 07 Aug 2017

1/6
Ho Lee Fook
Put old-school Hong Kong cha chan tengs and the Chinatown hangouts of 1960's New York together, and you get one of the city's coolest concepts, Ho Lee Fook, which can literally be translated as "good fortune for your mouth". At the helm of Taiwanese-born chef Jowett Yu, the trendy restaurant serves up modern Chinese fusion cuisine with Western influences, the result of which is both inventive and dangerously addictive. Some of their quirky dishes include mom’s "mostly cabbage, a little bit of pork" dumplings with sacha soy dressing, hot and sour Yunnan style wagyu steak tartare with herbs, and "Breakfast 2.0", a concoction of Horlicks ice cream, cornflake honeyjoy, oats, dried longan, and cocoa coffee crumbs. You'll leave murmuring Ho Lee Fook.

Ho Lee Fook, 1 Elgin Street, Central District, Hong Kong

Photo: Ho Lee Fook
2/6
Aberdeen Street Social
A restaurant, cocktail bar, and café rolled into one, Aberdeen Street Social is a two-storey venue with airy outdoor terraces. The all-day dining concept is a collaboration helmed by Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton, and if the name rings a bell, it's because Atherton was formerly part of equally reputed restaurants Esquina and Pollen in Singapore. The menu of contemporary British dishes use the freshest and best quality ingredients, with a focus on sustainability. Indulge in dishes like whole grilled lobster with garlic and parsley butter and flounder on the bone served à la meunière. Combined with hospitable service and a social atmosphere, dining here is an experience not to be missed.

Aberdeen Street Social, PMQ, Ground Floor, JPC, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong

Photo: Aberdeen Street Social
3/6
Mott 32
Multi-awarded contemporary Chinese restaurant Mott 32 is a must-visit. Its impressive interior, which is adorned with bare lightbulbs, a installation of iron chains, and touches of Chinese elements, sets the stage for a grand celebration of Hong Kong culture and cuisine. The menu is principally Cantonese and prepared with a balance of modernity and tradition. Expect next level yum cha, with exquisitely handmade dim sum and dishes like Applewood smoked Peking duck and barbecued Pluma Iberico pork. And while it may be surprising to find cocktails in a Chinese restaurant, their drinks, which use Chinese ingredients like osmanthus honey and goji berries, are flawlessly executed and can rival any cocktail bar.

Mott 32, Standard Chartered Bank Building, 4-4A Des Voeux Road, Central, Hong Kong

Photo: Mott 32
4/6
Little Bao
The modernisation of the humble Asian bao started here – all the other restaurants you know are copycats. This playful fusion Chinese diner might be tiny, but with a modern interior and innovative dishes, it is so hip it hurts. Little Bao's concept of cross-cultural sharing can be seen through how it adventurously incorporates international influences in its original take on classic comfort foods. Apart from its famous baos like the Szechuan fried chicken and fish tempura, trying their delectable sharing plates is a must. You'll be surprised at how familiar ingredients prepared in unexpected ways can taste so delicious, such as in their Hot Chicken and drunken clams in Shaoxing wine with potato puree and enoki. Little Bao takes no reservations, so be prepared to wait in line.

Little Bao, G/F, 66 Staunton St, Central, Hong Kong

Photo: Little Bao
5/6
Rhoda
The focus at Rhoda is honest and bold food, cooked over wood fire and charcoal. Executive chef Nate Green was inspired by his grandmother, the restaurant's namesake, who was an amazing home cook who embodied hospitality with her family meals and incredible dishes. Similarly, Rhoda creates a warm atmosphere and familial experience for diners. The restaurant features a daily changing menu to ensure that the best of local ingredients are being served. Grilled meats and seafood are the star here, but other dishes such as the asparagus with agria potato puree and new season truffle are also delicious.

Rhoda, G/F, Upton, 345 Des Vouex Road West, Sai Ying Pung, Hong Kong

Photo: Rhoda
6/6
Yardbird
A crowd favourite, Yardbird is a modern izakaya and yakitori restaurant that specialises in grilled chicken skewers of great quality. Take your pick from different chicken parts from neck to tail and wait as the chefs grill them over traditional binchotan charcoal. In addition to their signature yakitori, Yardbird also features smaller and bigger dishes which are good to share such as salads and their KFC (that's Korean Fried Cauliflower). It's walk-ins only at Yardbird, but the food makes it all worth it. Singaporeans will be happy to know that Yardbird will be opening a permanent outlet in Singapore soon – when exactly is not yet known, but we'll be first in line for sure.
Yardbird, 33-35 Bridges Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Photo: Yardbird

Food priorities – we’ve got them sorted for you.

A mere three or so hours away by airplane, Hong Kong is a nearby neighbour that many who live in Singapore will be familiar with. The cosmopolitan city, which is a modern melting pot of cultures, is famous for its amazing shopping, lively night markets, and tasty street food, just to name a few.

The restaurant scene in Hong Kong is also flourishing, with an ever-growing array of choices for food lovers to pick from, be it traditional dim sum or modern fusion cuisine. If you’re planning that getaway to Hong Kong, here are the six hippest restaurants of the moment that should definitely be on your itinerary. Whether you’re looking for a casual place to dine or to treat yourself with the finest cooking methods, this list of dining destinations has it covered. You don’t have to feel guilty, because Hong Kong has some very scenic hiking trails to offer.

Now, to book those air tickets!

Rachel Zheng

Photo: Mott 32

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City Slicker: 6 Hip Hong Kong restaurants to dine at

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