Hong Kong Food and Drink
One of the joys of traveling is discovering new venues and new foods and drinks. This is the place for that kind of information, both good and bad.
Food Is All in Hong Kong
I recently attended the Hong Kong Food Expo at the Convention Center.
My wife, Pam, and I intended to go on Sunday afternoon, thinking it would be a pleasant way of killing a rainy PM, snacking our way around the hundreds of exhibitor booths.
WRONG! The crush to get anywhere near the entrance was such that we decided to hit the nearby Pacific Coffee outlet and have a light lunch.
The next day, which was the last day of the Expo, I decided to see what all the excitement was about. I figured since it was Monday and the last day the crowds would have diminshed considerably.
Date: August 23rd, 2006 |
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Ten Things to do in Hong Kong, #3
Eat!!!!!!!
I’m not talking about dining at your hotel or at the over-priced tourist traps or eating Western fast food or pub food to accompany your beers. I’m talking about eating the same kind of food the locals do.
I’ve written a number of postings about restaurants in Hong Kong but I’ve not really covered local, inexpensive Cantonese cuisine. I am certainly not an expert but after fourteen years, I’ve picked up some rules of thumb. One thing I know for sure: food is very important to Hong Kong people. The normal person to person greeting isn’t, “How are you?” but rather, “Have you eaten yet?” (Actually, “Have you had your rice, yet?”)
Date: June 19th, 2006 |
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Ten Things to do in Hong Kong, #1
Thanks to M at the Fringe, an extremely fine and inventive restaurant, for the inspiration to attempt to pick ten things that are not usually found in guidebooks and are aimed primarily at residents and then offer the list to tourists also. I must acknowledge that I have used the M at the Fringe list as a springboard for my list.
I doubt that I will limit myself to ten items in the long run but it is a start. I also freely admit that I have not done all of these things myself but, if I have not done something, I certainly wish I had or I plan to do it someday.
The list is ordered randomly so pick any item to begin to build your own list.
Date: May 28th, 2006 |
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Being a Tourist Guide In Your Own Home Town (HK In a Day and a Half)
I recently had the opportunity to show a couple of first time visitors around Hong Kong. They were connecting to a cruise and so had only a day and a half. Additionally, the weather was hot and extremely muggy, a condition they were not used to. What to do? What to do?
Since they were staying in Hung Hom on the Kowloon side, the first leg was easy. Take the Star Ferry to Central where we could meet up easily (I live in Central). Since I had just arrived that morning after an all-night 14 hour flight from the U.S., I set up a 2:00 PM meeting and they used the late morning and early afternoon to wander around and have a light lunch.
Star Ferry and Convention Center
Date: May 9th, 2006 |
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More Late Night Noshing in Hong Kong
One day until the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens!
Yesterday, I listed a number of late night nosheries. I realized that I had missed a few. Some of the following are only open late (defined as 2:00 AM or later) on the weekends. Others did not meet my criteria as unspecific as those criteria may have been. However, I received some feedback that indicates I may have erred on the side of exclusivity. What follows are the names of some additional venues that might appeal to your late night or early morning needs for something to satisfy your hunger, line your stomach, or just kill time until something exciting happens.
If you see “WE only” that means the establishment wimps out on week nights (Sunday - Thursday) and closes before 2:00 AM.
Date: March 30th, 2006 |
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Ten Things to do in Hong Kong, #5
Drink!!!!!!!!!
I don’t necessarily mean alcohol.
There are two types of venues that seem to attract local people. One is the teahouse. Teahouses come in all shapes and sizes and can be found in most every neighborhood. They serve herb teas. Many, but not all, of the teas are intended to help drinkers improve some aspect of their health. Some are just meant to provide a pleasant break in the day. Unfortunately I don’t know what does what for what? If you are curious, check out Dr. Chen’s Herbal Tea Website. The only one I’ve really spent time at is in the Hong Kong Heritage Museum. The shops are usually quite small with low stools for sitting. Some serve snacks or dim sum. If you are at all adventurous check one out.
As a side note, if you are interested in the history of tea and teaware the Flagstaff House Teaware Museum in Central is worth a visit. It is also the oldest colonial building left standing in Hong Kong so if you are into architecture, it’s also worth seeing.
Date: June 23rd, 2006 |
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Hong Kong Versus Singapore - Shopping and Eating.
Number three in a continuing series.
Shopping
Hong Kong has a reputation as a shopper’s paradise. I’m not so sure that is still true. The Designer outlets in Hong Kong are as expensive as they are anywhere else I’ve been. The electronics and camera stores offer no real bargains and, especially in Tsim Sha Tsui, are likely to try and rip you off. I buy my electronics at “Fortress” or “Broadway,” two local chains. I buy my camera equipment in the U.S. or on-line.
Date: June 4th, 2006 |
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Being a Tourist Guide in Your Own Home Town: Part Two
Continuing yesterday’s item:
After arriving on the Peak, we strolled on Lugard Rd which runs from a point Southwest of the Peak viewing platform to Harlech Rd. which will take you back to the Peak viewing area. It’s a level, one hour walk and most relaxing. If you have time and are a flora enthusiast, you can take a detour to the Peak Gardens. Along the way there are signs with detailed information on the abundant plant life here and the history of the area. There are also awesome views of both the Western and Southern sides of the Island.
Because of our schedule, we didn’t walk all around the peak but strolled in relative solitude for twenty minutes and then walked briskly back to the Galleria mall for an early dinner at the Two-tiered Cafe Deco Restaurant. Cafe Deco answers the question, “When is a tourist oriented restaurant not a tourist trap?” My wife, Pam, and I love it and invariably find excuses to eat there with friends, business associates and visitors.
Date: May 10th, 2006 |
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O.K., the Sevens Weren’t Perfect.
Aunty Edna from Thailand writes that it was disappointing that there was only Heineken beer available except for a couple Carlsberg stalls.
I would like to add my own complaint that the outlawing of beer drinking in the upper stands is another needless “Big Brother” protection. If I drink too much beer, I’m just as likely to hurt myself in the lower stands as the upper.
Aunty Edna’s unexpurgated comments follow:
Date: April 9th, 2006 |
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Late Night Noshing in Hong Kong - An Update for the Sevens’ Celebrants
Two days until the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens.
Suddenly, late night noshing has become a hot topic. Perhaps the advent of the Rugby Sevens Tournament has something to do with it. A few suggested stops for hunger and/or stomach lining, listed alphabetically, are:
Archie B’s Deli, SoHo (Has dropped off in recent months but the Philly Cheese Steak is still quite good.)
Assaf, SoHo, Central (Lebanese dine in or take out from next door at the Beyrouth. Better food than Ebenezer’s at a premium price.)
Bulldogs Pub and Bar, Lan Kwai Fong (Extensive menu. Slightly pricey for what you get. Pub food plus. Great Service.)
Date: March 29th, 2006 |
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