Food Journey #9 - Lunch at Sushi Kuu 壽司喰

Lunch meeting today at Sushi Kuu with Mr Kevin She and I recommended Sushi Kuu for our lunch meeting spot. In my opinion, definitely one of the best lunch hot spots in Central for a quick, delicious and relaxing Japanese cuisine for lunch. Have never eaten at Sushi Kuu for dinner cos Japanese dinners tend to be quite pricey but for lunch, value definitely matches quality!!

We both ordered the Sashimi Cube Rice Set Lunch as I have had this dish every single time I visit this place and it never disappoints. The generous portions, large chunks and juicy texture of the Sashimi goes very well with the Japanese rice with a dash of wasabi & soy sauce. What can I say, perfect lunch and perhaps I should try out other dishes next time. Speaking of my recommended dish, just by looking at the photos, I am hungry once again!!!

Address:: 1/f, The Loop, Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong (中環威靈頓街2-8號威靈頓廣場1樓)

Tel:: 2971 0180

Food Quality (5* the highest): ****

Price for lunch (5$ = very expensive): $$$

Food Journey #8 -- RED SoHo Again

So, dinner with In-Laws & Parents this evening and mother wanted to try RED SoHo after hearing from her friends so much regarding the food. Will keep the blog nice & simple and go straight into the food. Located in the heart of SoHo, restaurant has a good vibe & a definite good place to people-watch. As a neutral, have eaten here at lunch a few times but dinner on the otherhand, is very different - much more relaxed, laid back and service is great. Not overly attentive but not scrappy! Dishes we ordered: Caesar Salad -- Generous Portion but slight downside is the plate seems very small on the table. Taste is superb -- not too richly flavoured. Soup of the Day (Wild Mushroom Soup with Cream) -- Didnt personally try this as not a fan of soup but very positive comments so I heard Old Bay Crab Cake -- Have tried plenty of crab cakes in Hong Kong and this to me tastes superb in the sense that you know it is "real" crab unlike many other restaurants. If they can increase the portion size, I can have this as my main course Pop Corn Shrimp with Chipotle Mayonnaise -- I like the overall taste and the shrimps are very fresh and pairs very well with the Chipotle Mayonnaise. Again, too bad that the portion sizes are a bit small and still the Pop Corn Shrimp in Inn-Side Out in Causeway Bay is still my best rated in Hong Kong so far. Turkey Burger - Gut feeling tells me that the local crowd will not enjoy this burger as the texture of the turkey is very dry. However, the burger bun is very crispy and should pay attention to the portion sizes of the avocado with the additional $12 charges. **Grilled Salmon Fillet with Basil Dressing -- This is a truly spectacular dish, my highly recommended dish at RED SoHo. Very rare do you find the outer layer of the skin so cripsy but the inner core ivery moist & juicy. Very incredibly healthy dish and the tomato & basil dressing pairs amazingly well with the juicy salmon! **American USDA Prime New York Strip 12oz -- Didnt try this dish but comments from the group were that the steaks at RED SoHo are god's gift and they returned to RED SoHo cos of the steaks -- enough said on the comments! RED Beef Burger -- Pounced on 1/4 of this burger as it was so tempting watching my fiancee's dad munching on that so I begged for a quarter. First time I tried their burger as I have heard many positive things on this but proved the comments are right. Very nice burger indeed and much much better than the commercial burgers you get in fast food joins (do not compare with the pricing point) **Chocolate Layer Cake -- This cake is absolutely surreal and can put life back into dead person. Quite possibly one of the best chocolate layer cakes in town and in fact I rate this the 2nd best cake in town. The inner part of the cake is moist which is perfect unlike other cakes where are dry & stale in the middle. Thank god there is a gym upstairs as the portions are MASSIVE!!!! **Pecan Pie -- Personally, between the Pecan Pie and the Choco Layer Cake, I prefer this dessert. So good that I completely forgot my homework to take a snap of this and finished this within 2 mins. Our group majority prefered the Chocolate Layer Cake, but I have my doubts. The Caramel ice-cream also pairs very well with the sweetness of the Pecan Pie and words cannot describe the moment of sensation!!! Overall, dinner was very plesant and my recommendation is to visit RED SoHo during a dinner for a plesant experience with your partner or mates! Address: 2/f, Kinwick Centre, 32 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong Tel: 8199-8189 Food Quality (5* the highest): 3/1/2* Price (5$ = very expensive): $$$

Part 1 -- Taiwanese Bubble Tea (珍珠奶茶)

Round 1:: One More Cup in Causeway Bay 再來一 杯 Have been to this location a few times and it is conveniently located in the heart of Causeway Bay behind Sogo, often with a long queue of people waiting for their summer's favourite beverage (aside from beer) -- Taiwanese Bubble Tea (珍珠奶茶). Today, my conquest was to review this place so we ordered the following: Regular flavoured Taiwanese Bubble Tea ($10) Previous experiences tells me that it is very sweet so do order low-sugar with A LOT OF BUBBLES (珍珠) with no extra charges unlike other location. If you do not know what the bubbles are, they are very chewy winegum like texture which is sunk at the bottom of the cup and is tasteless but somewhat goes very well with a drink to have something to chew on. Overall flavour and taste is very good, your perfect drink during the summer and remember, it is only $10!! Chocolate flavoured Bubble Tea ($17) This is a new flavour as I wanted something more Un-Original -- felt like a crossover between Starbucks and Taiwanese Bubble Tea. If you are calorie conscious, please DO NOT order this as it is very sweet yet very tasty. Somehow, I know the staff quite well so the bubble portion was very generous. Kudos to their staff on this. It is very chocolatey for sure and very filling, could well have contained the equivalent calories for a dinner. Again, at $10, your good drink to get during summer Downside is that standing in the middle of Causeway Bay (very crowded area of Hong Kong just like anywhere else in Hong Kong) waiting for this drink is not the best thing to do in summer and at peak times, quite possibly Hong Kong's slowest service! Have no idea how they can make money at $10 a drink!! Address: No. 518, Jaffe Road, Causeway Bay (銅鑼灣謝斐道518號) Quality (5* = the highest quality): *** Price (5$ = very expensive): $

Food Journey #7 -- Ootoya 大戶屋

So, I lied about going to Tonkichi Tonkatsu Seafood via twitter yesterday(http://www.openrice.com/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=5182) and instead I ended up at Ootoya opposite Times Square. Reason being is that it was the only restaurant which I didnt have to wait & plus I have always heard a lot of good things about their Blue Fin Tuna Rice Bowl. Restaurant is nicely located on the 3f opposite Times Square with a nice view overlooking Times Square. Dishes we ordered: **1 x Kirin Beer ($15) -- $15 for a beer in a restaurant is very reasonable!! **1 x Fried Mini Oyster (廣島炸蠔) -- very "mini" as specified on menu but taste was very sweet. Too bad the sauce to go with the oyster was a bit revolting! **1 x Set of Fried Chicken with Rice, Soba Noodles -- deep fried chicken is very juicy and not greasy at all and very tender texture. Rice was very chewy, just the way I like it and goes very well with the vinegrette sauce for the lettuce. Soba noodles were very chilled and texture was again to perfection. However, the fried chicken has improvement areas as I rate Tonkichi is still Hong Kong's #1. **1 x Blue Fin Tuna Rice Bowl -- This was a very special bowl of blue fin tuna rice as the tuna was at its best and the texture of the rice did not disappoint. Too bad I drowned the bowl with soya sauce & wasabi but THUMBS UP, definitely worth every single penny!!!! :) 1 x Fried Potato Mash Ball (炸薯餅) -- Not a fan of this dish as after munching on so much carbs, this is the least dish that I will need during the course. Took 1 bite of this and it wasnt too greasy and the taste was decent. But again, I am not the one to judge as I have never been a fan of potatoes. Overall, a very pleasant experience and I will encourage you all to visit this place and share with me your thoughts. Remember to order the Blue Fin Tuna Rice Address: 銅鑼灣羅素街8號3樓 (3/f, No.8 Russell Street, Causeway Bay) Tel: 2573-8333 Food Quality (5* the highest): 3/1/2* Price (5$ = very expensive): $

Food Journey #6 -- Subway for Lunch

Brand new Subway has opened 2 blocks away from our office, very convenient unlike the usual trek we have to make up the escalator to the joint in SoHo. Recieved their direct mail drop today and never before have I got tempted to use a coupon, but this is a whopping $5 off during lunch hours. Lunch Meal was $42 - $5 = $37 which included a 6 footer + pack of Walkers crisp + Can of Coke -- what a way to start Monday!!! I ordered the Grilled Chicken with Dijon Horseradish Sauce with TONNES of Jalepeno peppers and lettuce. Taste was okay, nothing spectacular as I think Subway is more of a 300am food in Wan Chai or Lan Kwai Fong. In fact, Subway in Hong Kong is pretty mediocre in comparison to Subways I have had in the US or Canada! What's more interesting is this joint contains more locals than expats which is very different to other Subways and there is even a localised menu with local flavours on it! They may soon start serving 蛋牛治 & 餐蛋治 in this location Address: 中環昭隆街33號萬邦行地下3號舖 (No.33, Chiu Lung Street, Melbourne Plaza, Central) Tel: 2151-0690 Food Quality (5* the highest): * Price (5$ = very expensive): $ in terms for dessert pricing

Food Journey #5 -- 珍珠奶茶 (Pearl Milk Ice Tea) Comparison in Hong Kong

As I have noticed there is a growing trend of 珍珠奶茶 (Pearl Milk Ice Tea) shops opened up in Hong Kong and Kowloon side, mainly in Causeway Bay and Mongkok District. This week, I will be trying our various shops and give you guys some feedback and my recommendation on which is the best 珍珠奶茶 (Pearl Milk Ice Tea) in Hong Kong. Stay tune and enjoy your Monday!

Food Journey #4 -- 八八八拉麵 Ramen Sanpachi

Beautiful Sunday in Hong Kong today and one of my regular hot spots is 八八八拉麵 Ramen Sanpachi in Causeway Bay -- because it DID have the most authentic Japanese Pork Ramen Noodles. Today's adventure totally disappointed me as I have been craving for their noodles for some time but the moment I gurped onto the noodles, something was different about it.

Here is what missus and I ordered:

*Spicy Pork Ramen Noodles

*Regular Pork Ramen Noodles

*Deep Fried Chicken Cutlets (YUM)

Regular Pork Ramen Noodle is very boring as I prefer some sort of a spice kick on Sundays. The Spicy Pork Ramen Noodles were first of all NOT SPICY AT ALL, and the broth was very very watery. The texture of the noodles were slightly different comparing to before. TOTALLY DISAPPOINTING!!!!

Only dish whichrescued the whole lunch experience was the deep fried chicken cutlets -- not too greasy and perfect taste and texture with a dash of lemon & Japanese Mayo! :)

Address: 銅鑼灣軒尼斯道499號永光商業大廈B2地庫 (B2, Wing Kwong Commercial Building, 499 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong) Tel: 2893-2388

Food Quality (5* the highest): *

Price (5$ = very expensive) : $

Food Journey #3 -- 糖仁街 (China Town Dessert)

So, was cruising around Tsim Sha Tsui area yesterday after my journey to Heichinrou (聘珍樓) and my god, walking around in Hong Kong in 34 degree heat is not exactly the best activity in this part of the world, believe my word! The amount of body fluid that was lost during the walk from Canton Road to Tsim Sha Tsui East area was a major concern!

Ended up in very interesting road called Hau Fok Street (厚福街). I have previously visited this road before when 798 Unit & C0 (see link http://ow.ly/l0Dz ) first opened and know that it is definitely Tsim Sha Tsui's most undervalued area for a unique food experience.

What caught my eye was below shop, very colourful with EXTREMELY COLD air conditioning therefore I decided to check out the menu. It turns out that they are infamous for 雪花冰 -- a traditional Taiwanese dessert (flavoured snow-flaked ice shavings). Sat down, checked out the menu and without a doubt and no regrets went for the (a) Valrona Chocolate Ice Shavings with Chocolate Sauce, Chocolate Chips, Chocolate Marshmallow, Banana and Coffee Jelly and my missus ordered a (b) Sweet Condense Milk Flavoured Ice Shaving with Corn Flakes.

(A) -- Very sweet, tasty and very interesting texture. Flavour of chocolate sauce is extremely rich and the already flavoured chocolate ice, an absolutely deadly combination. Coffee Jelly & Banana on the side are also a perfect complement with the ice shavings

(B)-- Personally, not my favourite as it is far too sweet and not a fan of cornflakes therefore am glad that I didnt order this. Definitely a very female dessert indeed as 8 / 10 girls / ladies were having this dessert.

A nice & small dessert place serving up exotic Taiwanese style dessert, definite place for summer but if you are calorie or health conscious, honestly do not recommend you to visit this place as there is far too much sweet temptation.

Address: 尖沙咀厚福街11號地下 (Hau Fok Street 11, Tsim Sha Tsui)

Tel: 2368 4118

Food Quality (5* the highest): ***

Price (5$ = very expensive): $$ in terms for dessert pricing

Food Journey # 2 -- Heichinrou (聘珍樓)

Food Journey # 2 -- Heichinrou (聘珍樓) Never been a big fan of Yum Cha in Hong Kong due to the amount of grease and calories in Dim Sum. However this was all soon to change after my visit to Hei Chin Rou (聘珍樓) Arrived there at 100pm and the place was very nice & peaceful located in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui in New Sun Arcade on Canton Road. Chinese Tea is a vital part to the whole yum cha experience and that did not disappoint at all, very richly flavoured. Whilst we were waiting for the in-laws to arrive, we had a very interesting experience with one of the waitresses as we made a comment to her about closing the exit door and the air conditioner were leaking out, the waitresses turned around and screamed at one of the food runner that the area was 熱到X街 which we thought was quite amusing. In terms of food, we ordered below:: a. Rice roll with Prawns b. Deep Fried Spring Rolls c. Prawn Dumplings d. XO Sauce Stir Fried Rice roll (XO醬腸粉) e. Sliced Turnip Prawn Cake f. Steamed Sweet Chinese Cake (馬拉糕) g. Chicken Wrap with Bean Curd and Mushroom (雞Zhai) Must say, I was blown away by the quality of the dim-sum especially (g) & (d). Overall quality, taste was top notch quality and in my opinion in terms of price, this is the best dim sum house in Hong Kong by far. One special menion is when you go next time, pls remember to order their chilli sauce (see pic below) and it is also very tasty and spicey which is perfect for the the XO Sauce Stir Fried Rice Roll Address: 尖沙咀廣東道28號新太陽廣場2樓 Tel: 2375 7123 Food Quality: **** (5* the highest) Price: $$ (5$ = very expensive) Highly recommended and will return next week for sure! Drop me a comment on whether you agree with me on 聘珍樓. Watch out for the next blog posting!!