by Aude Camus
Travelling might not be an option at the moment but that doesn’t mean you can’t taste the flavours of the world right here in Hong Kong. I’m taking you on an ABC trip round the world that will delight your taste buds. And guess what? That world tour won’t break the bank as it’s more on the casual food and quick bites side than on the gastronomic one.
Australia – Brekkie at Catch
Travelling might not be an option at the moment but that doesn’t mean you can’t taste the flavours of the world right here in Hong Kong. I’m taking you on an ABC trip round the world that will delight your taste buds. And guess what? That world tour won’t break the bank as it’s more on the casual food and quick bites side than on the gastronomic one.
Australia – Brekkie at Catch
In Australia, breakfast is referred to as “Brekkie”, a laid-back institution which is widely considered as the most important meal of the day. Wanna kick off your day with a fresh and tasty brekkie that will replenish your body from the overnight fast and provide essential nutrients to keep you going? I love a brekkie at Catch and my go to dishes would be the Dirty Eggs (HKD 148) – served fried over paprika potato, avocado, chipotle mayo, melted cheddar and kidney beans (very dirty indeed, a perfect weekend treat) – or the very Aussie Smashed Avocado (HKD 138).
G/F, 95 Catchick St, Kennedy Town
https://catch.hk/
Brazil – Dadinhos de tapioca at Uma Nota
G/F, 95 Catchick St, Kennedy Town
https://catch.hk/
Brazil – Dadinhos de tapioca at Uma Nota
Uma Nota brings the food from the streets of Sao Paulo to Hong Kong and you definitely wanna give a go to the Brazilian tapioca and cheese dices served with a sweet chilli sauce … addictive.
HKD 70
38 Peel Street, Central
https://www.uma-nota.com/hong-kong
Rediscover our full review of Uma Nota
Rediscover our interview of Alexis and Laura, founders of Meraki Hospitality Group (the group behind Uma Nota)
Canada – Maple Bacon Wagyu Burger at Shady Acres
HKD 70
38 Peel Street, Central
https://www.uma-nota.com/hong-kong
Rediscover our full review of Uma Nota
Rediscover our interview of Alexis and Laura, founders of Meraki Hospitality Group (the group behind Uma Nota)
Canada – Maple Bacon Wagyu Burger at Shady Acres
Nothing says Canada better than maple with the maple leaf being the official emblem of the country. Of course, maple syrup would give you a fair taste of Canada but it would be a shame not to give a go to Shady Acre’s very pornfood maple bacon burger.
HKD 100
46 Peel Street, Central
https://www.facebook.com/theshadyacres/
Egypt – Shawarma Lamb at Aziza
One of Egypt’s most popular street food, Shawarma consists of meat roasted on a slowly-turning vertical rotisserie and cut into very thin slices. Often served in a pita bread, the meat is deliciously roasted making it a super comforting dish.
HKD 125
Kennedy Town: Shop D, GF, 28 Hau Wo Street
Sai Ying Pun: Shop 1B, G/F, Upton Tower, 345 Des Voeux Road West
http://www.aziza.com.hk/
France – Croque-Monsieur at Metropolitain
HKD 100
46 Peel Street, Central
https://www.facebook.com/theshadyacres/
Egypt – Shawarma Lamb at Aziza
One of Egypt’s most popular street food, Shawarma consists of meat roasted on a slowly-turning vertical rotisserie and cut into very thin slices. Often served in a pita bread, the meat is deliciously roasted making it a super comforting dish.
HKD 125
Kennedy Town: Shop D, GF, 28 Hau Wo Street
Sai Ying Pun: Shop 1B, G/F, Upton Tower, 345 Des Voeux Road West
http://www.aziza.com.hk/
France – Croque-Monsieur at Metropolitain
Croque-Monsieur is always my casual French dish of choice. I mean: bread, cheese and ham … is there anything not to love about it?
Metropolitain isn’t the only bistro in town to serve a decent croque-monsieur but it’s usually my go-to as it is very decadent and makes a perfect weekend treat.
HKD 108
Aspen Court, 46 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
https://pastis.hk/#/restaurants/metropolitain
Greece – Souvlaki at Artemis & Apollo
Metropolitain isn’t the only bistro in town to serve a decent croque-monsieur but it’s usually my go-to as it is very decadent and makes a perfect weekend treat.
HKD 108
Aspen Court, 46 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
https://pastis.hk/#/restaurants/metropolitain
Greece – Souvlaki at Artemis & Apollo
A popular Greek street food consisting of small pieces of meat grilled on a skewer, souvlaki is very tasty and the perfect accompaniment to other Greek delicacies served at Artemis & Apollo such as taramasalata and tzatziki. Any souvlaki lovers out there? Artemis & Apollo is hosting Souvlaki Sundays every Sunday from 12-9pm for you to enjoy succulent roasted meats served along Athenian taverna classics in a family-style menu (HKD 388/person).
HKD 128
9-11 Moon Street, Wan Chai
https://www.artemisandapollo.com/
Rediscover our full review of Artemis & Apollo
Hong Kong – BBQ Pork Buns at Tim Ho Wan
HKD 128
9-11 Moon Street, Wan Chai
https://www.artemisandapollo.com/
Rediscover our full review of Artemis & Apollo
Hong Kong – BBQ Pork Buns at Tim Ho Wan
Well, just because you are committed to taking your taste buds on a trip round the world doesn’t mean you should overlooked local delicacies and dim sum has to be on your mind if you are looking for something cheap and cheerful. Tim Ho Wan’s (the world’s cheapest Michelin Star restaurant) BBQ Pork Buns are famous because, unlike many other pork buns you’ll find in town, they are baked and not steamed and therefore come deliciously crispy.
Shop 12A, Hong Kong Station Podium Level 1, IFC Mall, Central
http://www.timhowan.com/
Israel – Falafel at Francis
Shop 12A, Hong Kong Station Podium Level 1, IFC Mall, Central
http://www.timhowan.com/
Israel – Falafel at Francis
A deep-fried ball made from ground chickpeas and fava beans, falafels are highly addictive even though not exactly great if you are on a diet. A Francis, falafel comes with tahini and tastes just like it does in Tel Aviv.
HKD 60
4&6 St. Francis Street, Wan Chai
https://www.francis.com.hk/
Japan – Tuna Hotdog Handroll at TMK
HKD 60
4&6 St. Francis Street, Wan Chai
https://www.francis.com.hk/
Japan – Tuna Hotdog Handroll at TMK
There are so many Japanese restaurants in town that treating yourself to a Japanese feast is nothing complicated but TMK, a hand roll and sake bar, offers a rock’n’roll twist to your traditional Japanese night out and is definitely worth the visit if you ate looking for a fun, affordable and lively experience. The handrolls are a must ordered and I absolutely love the Tuna Hotdog one which might not be the most traditional Japanese bite you’ll ever tried but is absolutely yummy.
HKD 98
Shops G&H, G/F and M/F, 77-91 Queen’s Road West, Sheung Wan
https://tmk.hk/
Rediscover our full review of TMK
Lebanon – Tabbouleh at Mama Malouf
HKD 98
Shops G&H, G/F and M/F, 77-91 Queen’s Road West, Sheung Wan
https://tmk.hk/
Rediscover our full review of TMK
Lebanon – Tabbouleh at Mama Malouf
Consisting of chopped parsley with tomatoes, mint, onion, bulgur and olive oil, tabbouleh is a fresh and flavourful salad that I absolutely love. I could easily eat my weight in proper Lebanese tabbouleh and whenever I’m craving this Levantine treat I go to, or order from, Mama Malouf.
HKD 68/98
G/F, 93 Catchick Street, Kennedy Town
https://www.mamamalouf.hk/
Mexico – Guacamole at 11 Westside
HKD 68/98
G/F, 93 Catchick Street, Kennedy Town
https://www.mamamalouf.hk/
Mexico – Guacamole at 11 Westside
I have to confess a solid addiction to guac. God, I could easily eat a bowl of it every day and if you ask me, the best guac in Hong Kong is definitely the tableside guacamole from 11 Westside.
HKD 150
1/F, The Hudson, 11 Davis Street, Kennedy Town
https://www.11westside.com/
Rediscover our interview of Esdras Ochoa, the “Taco King” and founder of 11 Westside
New-Zealand – Fish & Chips at Hooked
The Brits aren’t the only one to love a good old Fish & Chips, Kiwis can’t resist it either and Hooked served the best fish & chip takeways in Hong Kong featuring fresh battered New Zealand fish and Kumara chips, deliciously crispy sweet potato fries kiwi style, which are quite addictive (but you can also always go for regular chips).
Caine Mansion, 80-88 Caine Road, Mid-Levels
https://www.hooked.hk/
Portugal – Bacalhau A Braz at Casa Lisboa
A gastronomic trip to Portugal wouldn’t be complete without at least a few bacalhau (dried and salted cod) specialties including the very classic Bacalhau a Bras combining the Portuguese fish with soft scrambled eggs, fried potatoes and onions. Probably not the healthiest dish on earth but god that’s a good one.
HKD 145
2/F, Parekh House, 63 Wyndham Street, Central
https://www.casalisboa.com.hk/
Sri Lanka – Masala Dosa at Hotal Colombo
One of South India’s most popular breakfast dish, the dosa is a crepe made using fermented rice and lentil batter. The masala variation, such as the one served at Hotal Colombo, is crisp and stuffed with potato masala and just wonderfully delicious and satisfying.
HKD 108
31 Elgin Street, Central
https://hotalcolombo.com/
Rediscover our full review of Hotal Colombo
Thai – Larp Moo at Chachawan
HKD 150
1/F, The Hudson, 11 Davis Street, Kennedy Town
https://www.11westside.com/
Rediscover our interview of Esdras Ochoa, the “Taco King” and founder of 11 Westside
New-Zealand – Fish & Chips at Hooked
The Brits aren’t the only one to love a good old Fish & Chips, Kiwis can’t resist it either and Hooked served the best fish & chip takeways in Hong Kong featuring fresh battered New Zealand fish and Kumara chips, deliciously crispy sweet potato fries kiwi style, which are quite addictive (but you can also always go for regular chips).
Caine Mansion, 80-88 Caine Road, Mid-Levels
https://www.hooked.hk/
Portugal – Bacalhau A Braz at Casa Lisboa
A gastronomic trip to Portugal wouldn’t be complete without at least a few bacalhau (dried and salted cod) specialties including the very classic Bacalhau a Bras combining the Portuguese fish with soft scrambled eggs, fried potatoes and onions. Probably not the healthiest dish on earth but god that’s a good one.
HKD 145
2/F, Parekh House, 63 Wyndham Street, Central
https://www.casalisboa.com.hk/
Sri Lanka – Masala Dosa at Hotal Colombo
One of South India’s most popular breakfast dish, the dosa is a crepe made using fermented rice and lentil batter. The masala variation, such as the one served at Hotal Colombo, is crisp and stuffed with potato masala and just wonderfully delicious and satisfying.
HKD 108
31 Elgin Street, Central
https://hotalcolombo.com/
Rediscover our full review of Hotal Colombo
Thai – Larp Moo at Chachawan
Well of course Larb Moo, a mixed salad of chopped pork, pork skin, shallots, spring onions and herbs, isn’t the only Thai food I could kill for but it’s one of the ones I cannot not order whenever I go (and that’s often) for Thai food. Chachawan’s Larp Moo is so good it always makes me cry … or maybe it’s the spices, who knows?
HKD 128
206 Hollywood Road, Tai Ping Shan
https://chachawan.hk/
USA – Reuben at Fat Chad’s
HKD 128
206 Hollywood Road, Tai Ping Shan
https://chachawan.hk/
USA – Reuben at Fat Chad’s
An American grilled cheese sandwich featuring pastrami, the Reuben is often to be found at NYC’s delicatessens or here in Hong Kong at Fat Chad’s, a newly opened sandwiches bodega in Sai Ying Pun.
135 HKD
Shop D, 119B Second Street, Sai Ying Pun
https://www.fatchads.com/
Vietnam – Banh Mi Op La at Co Thanh
135 HKD
Shop D, 119B Second Street, Sai Ying Pun
https://www.fatchads.com/
Vietnam – Banh Mi Op La at Co Thanh
God, I just can’t wait to be able to hop on a plane and Vietnam will probably be one of the first destination I visit again! I’m just dying to buy a Banh Mi from a street food cart in the streets of Hanoi or Hoi An. In the meantime, I satisfy my Banh Mi cravings with the Banh Mi Op La at Co Thanh. What makes a proper Banh Mi will you ask? Pate! Ain’t no real Banh Mi without a spread of pate.
HKD 108
G/F, 2-4 Kau U Fong, Central
https://www.cothanhrestaurant.com/
HKD 108
G/F, 2-4 Kau U Fong, Central
https://www.cothanhrestaurant.com/
