Over the years we have shared countless times with Cuca’s customers our favourite restaurants from every city we know. The truth is that people in search of the tastiest food from around the world seem to trust chefs’ picks when choosing food, and since everyone asks our humble opinion, we have decided to start a proper “Our Picks” section where we give you our recommendations on where and what to eat. Go ahead, try for yourself and share these lists as you please, but just because we may help you find a new favourite, please don’t forget about your first love, Cuca!
You don’t need us to tell you about how delicious Hong Kong is. For as long as we can remember it has stood out not only within Asia, but also the world, for its incredible traditional Chinese cooking, and the best Chefs from around the globe have set up shop serving nothing but their very best. Our list focuses on those places who have mastered their craft and do something truly special that you absolutely must devour on a visit to this incredible culinary destination.
Pang’s Kitchen Homestyle Cantonese
This humble neighborhood restaurant is family run and open since 2001. Everything here is delicious, and the no-fuss authentic Cantonese cooking is always well executed and honestly priced. For anyone like us traveling from overseas that loves a good Chinese food, this may just be the best of the trip in terms of yummy.
Price: $$$
What to order: Crispy chicken with garlic, Sweet and sour pork with strawberries.
Ronin
This hard-to-find Japanese inspired Izakaya-style dining bar has perked the interest of global foodies since opening over a decade ago. With less than 20 seats, bookings are essential, and the seafood heavy menu delivers on flavor. Well worth noting is the solid bar program with well crafted-cocktails, wine, sake and an impressive selection of Japanese whiskeys. Its cramped noisy vibe may catch you of guard. If you are looking for a romantic intimate dinner… it is not!
Price: $$$$
What to order: Flower crab with uni, Sashimi platter.
Cheung Hing Kee Shanghai Pan Fried Buns
With 3 locations scattered around town, this is essentially a street food take-away joint serving Cheung Hing Kee (pan-fried buns), and they are very delicious. The magic lies within the crispy undercarriage and the filling of pork and gelatin that melts into a soup after heating. Very good indeed!
Price: $
What to order: “The classic” (pan fried buns).
Mott 32
This place serves extraordinary modern Chinese cooking with the absolute best ingredients from around the globe. Not for those on a budget, Mott 32 has set up shop in 9 of the world’s top cities delivering a one-of-a-kind experience. We went 2 days in a row to the Vancouver location to devour the entire dim sum menu and their signature apple wood roast Peking duck. We have not been to the Hong Kong branch, but seeing as this was the first opened in 2014, we are certain it’s solid. This is the most unique and creative Chinese inspired restaurant we have ever been!
Price: $$$$$
What to order: Prawn, Crispy rice paper Cheung Fun.
Kwan Kee Clay Pot Rice
Traditional street food at its finest, this place is a gem and an institution in Hong Kong. Their traditional clay pot rice is absolutely superb, using a mix of new and aged Thai fragrant rice cooked first on gas, and then finished within a lava rock oven. The rice texture is incredible and the scorched crispy bottom is perfection. It’s almost impossible to get a reservation not only because of the demand, but because they never answer the bloody phone, so get your hotel to call at night and book in the following day for dinner.
Price: $$
What to order: Local eel and chicken clay pot rice.
Joy Hing Roasted Meat
Known as one of Hong Kong’s most famous roast meat places, Joy Hing delivers on deep barbeque flavoured roasted meats. More of a food stall than an actual restaurant and with only 7 tables, getting a taste of this place can pose a challenge. As they open from 10am-10pm, we suggest either going early or off-peak hours to avoid the queue, but either way it’s worth a wait to taste what they have obviously mastered!
Price: $$
What to order: Their sample plate: Char sui (BBQ Pork) + roast goose + roast pork.
Bakehouse
The extremely talented former chef of Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong left to open his own bakery back in 2013, and based on his success, he then opened Bakehouse as a boutique pastry shop. They specialize in incredibly well-made sourdough baked goods, and these have become the most famous in Hong Kong. The egg tarts are ridiculously delicious and creatively crafted from sourdough croissant crusts, and the queue reflects their fame.
Price: $
What to order: Sourdough egg tart.
Mak Man Kee Noodles
Don’t be deterred by the small elbow-bumping shared tables and dated rundown interior as you are not here for the ambiance but their star dish of Wonton noodles.
The small portions of firm springy Cantonese noodles are still handmade using only flour, duck and chicken eggs, and remain unchanged since first opening in 1957. The paper-thin Wontons with crunchy fresh prawns are perfection. No frills, no gimmicks, just a very well-made traditional dish that they have been making for absolutely ever.
Price: $$
What to order: Wonton noodles.