Hidden Hong Kong: incredible bars and restaurants we found thanks to the locals -
Visiting Hong Kong has been a dream of ours for many years, especially since moving to the UK and meeting a few people from there (now our best friends!). Last year we were so lucky to finally be able to spend a week in Hong Kong and visit this vibrant city guided by our friends, who made us avoid (almost) all the typically touristy places to see the locals' favourite nightlife spots and try the most amazing food.
Here are a few:
The Old Man
It would have been impossible for us to find this place without local guides! This cosy Hemingway-themed speakeasy bar is located at the end of a narrow alley in the Soho neighbourhood of Hong Kong and is only marked by a tiny sign allowing only people "in the know" to have a drink there. We were particularly impressed with the originality of cocktails on the menu (with ingredients such as oyster leaf infused in cheesewax, curry leaf infused gin, blackened carrot bug) all called with the names of Hemingway's masterpieces. The cherry on top was the cold metal strip down the length of the bar to keep drinks cool.
Little Bao
Tiny restaurant owned by May Chow (names Asia's Best Female Chef in 2017). May not be the most comfortable, but the food is totally worth it. We had pork belly bao and some truffle fries which were to die for - you must be lucky to find a seat though!
Happy Paradise
Also owned by May Chow, this is THE place to try the best Sichuan Fried chicken in town! We loved the casual atmosphere and creative menu. Strongly recommend booking a table a few days in advance as this is quite a small restaurant.
Sake Central
Suggestive bar and restaurant, home of the widest range of Sake in Hong Kong. This place is ideal try some great sake and also get to know more about this drink thanks to the kind and very knowledgeable staff. Apart from drinking, it is also possible to order food and wander around the shop area admiring the many bottles on display. Definitely a must see!
Yuet Wah Wui (Wan Chai) Seafood Restaurant
After we went to this seafood restaurant, we really wanted to recommend it to our friends but struggled so much to find the name - on social media you will only find the Chinese name and ehm unfortunately we cannot read Cantonese. This was simply AMAZING! It's one of those places that don't look like much from the outside but as authentic as you can get according to our HK friends, we ordered many little dishes of squid, rice, duck fish (yeah it's a thing) and were in complete awe of this place and the food.
Jade Garden (Causeway Bay)
Honourable mentions:
Woolomooloo - Rooftop bar with great ambience and a more European vibe.
Empire City Roasted Duck - The place to go to if you want to try roasted duck (and are not afraid of spending a few extra bucks!). Located in the K11 shopping centre.
King's Dim Sum (Causeway Bay) - This was our very first stop after we got to HK, the place is very small but the dim sum was absolutely delicious (especially the steam buns) and the service was incredibly quick, all we ordered came in a tower and so we could get through it quickly as we were starving after the journey!
Here are a few:
The Old Man
It would have been impossible for us to find this place without local guides! This cosy Hemingway-themed speakeasy bar is located at the end of a narrow alley in the Soho neighbourhood of Hong Kong and is only marked by a tiny sign allowing only people "in the know" to have a drink there. We were particularly impressed with the originality of cocktails on the menu (with ingredients such as oyster leaf infused in cheesewax, curry leaf infused gin, blackened carrot bug) all called with the names of Hemingway's masterpieces. The cherry on top was the cold metal strip down the length of the bar to keep drinks cool.
Little Bao
Tiny restaurant owned by May Chow (names Asia's Best Female Chef in 2017). May not be the most comfortable, but the food is totally worth it. We had pork belly bao and some truffle fries which were to die for - you must be lucky to find a seat though!
Happy Paradise
Also owned by May Chow, this is THE place to try the best Sichuan Fried chicken in town! We loved the casual atmosphere and creative menu. Strongly recommend booking a table a few days in advance as this is quite a small restaurant.
Sake Central
Suggestive bar and restaurant, home of the widest range of Sake in Hong Kong. This place is ideal try some great sake and also get to know more about this drink thanks to the kind and very knowledgeable staff. Apart from drinking, it is also possible to order food and wander around the shop area admiring the many bottles on display. Definitely a must see!
Yuet Wah Wui (Wan Chai) Seafood Restaurant
After we went to this seafood restaurant, we really wanted to recommend it to our friends but struggled so much to find the name - on social media you will only find the Chinese name and ehm unfortunately we cannot read Cantonese. This was simply AMAZING! It's one of those places that don't look like much from the outside but as authentic as you can get according to our HK friends, we ordered many little dishes of squid, rice, duck fish (yeah it's a thing) and were in complete awe of this place and the food.
Jade Garden (Causeway Bay)
Great place for Dim Sum in a relaxed and familiar atmosphere, the waiters were carrying the food around the tables on a trolley and we could just pick what we wanted straight from the trolley (something we've never seen before!). Desserts were also great - although quite strange for our European taste!
Honourable mentions:
Woolomooloo - Rooftop bar with great ambience and a more European vibe.
Empire City Roasted Duck - The place to go to if you want to try roasted duck (and are not afraid of spending a few extra bucks!). Located in the K11 shopping centre.
King's Dim Sum (Causeway Bay) - This was our very first stop after we got to HK, the place is very small but the dim sum was absolutely delicious (especially the steam buns) and the service was incredibly quick, all we ordered came in a tower and so we could get through it quickly as we were starving after the journey!
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