The New Street Eats – HK Magazine

copyright: HK Magazine, Asia City Publishing

THE NEW STREET EATS

The New Street Eats

September 19th, 2008

If the term “street eats” conjures up images of eating curry fish balls from a cart, it’s time to get out there and try the new generation of pedestrian delights.Cherry Ko takes to the streets.

Ali Baba Kashmir Curry House
At Ali Baba, it’s easy to imagine yourself standing by a street stall in India. From the bustling kitchen to the naan-flipping chef everything seems perfectly authentic—until the hospitable Indian staff greets you in Cantonese. Be warned: go with an empty stomach since you’ll want to sample every one of their dishes, including savory or sweet paratha, curries and tikka. A hint for the indecisive: go straight for their mutton paratha ($12). Fused with mild curry, the mutton filling isn’t overwhelmingly huge, making it a perfect eat-while-you-walk snack. If lamb isn’t your thing, their fish tikka is also definitely worth a try. Wash it all down with a glass of chai to complete the experience.

1 Kwong Wa St., Mong Kok, 2388-6671. Open daily 11am-11pm.

8 Way Taiwanese Dumplings Shop
A Taiwanese chain with over 400 branches in Taiwan, this is a store that many Hong Kongers have awaited with much anticipation. Hence the massive queue blocking the entrance every day. 8 Way is the local epicurean’s new favorite for a reason—not only are their dumplings tasty, they also only cost $2.50 to $3 each. There are four fillings to choose from: the original cabbage and pork ($2.50), Korean-style kimchi ($3), leek ($2.50) and yellow curry ($3). We simply adore the Korean filling: crunchy on the outside with refreshingly spicy kimchi on the inside. Apart from dumplings, you can also find traditional Taiwanese snacks like spearfish soup ($12) and sweet and sour soup ($12).

171 Tung Choi St., Mong Kok, 2395-5058. Open daily 11am-11pm.

Happy Lemon
Another Taiwanese business creating a stir in Hong Kong is Happy Lemon. A perfect pit stop to refresh your palate, this cheery stall sells a wide selection of drinks, with everything from tea and coffee to lemon-based drinks and even cocoa. Be sure to try the Pearl Sago Roasted Milk Tea ($11 for a small, $13 for a large). Designed to be sipped slowly, the tea has a slightly toasted aroma that’s a perfect and unexpected complement to the milky sago pearls. If the crowds of Mong Kok are starting to get to you, try the Passion Yakult with Aloe ($10 for a small, $12 for a large). The sour Yakult is sure to pep up flagging spirits. 

Shop A, 60 Bute St., Mong Kok, 3188-4818. Open daily 11:30am-midnight.

Shibazhi Coconut Drinks
Coconut-based drinks have always enjoyed widespread popularity in Hong Kong and it’s difficult to walk down any street in Mong Kok without coming across at least two. Even in this competitive market, Shibazhi—which means “18 sons” in Chinese—has distinguished itself as the undisputed expert. Opened by the Li family, the store has been making coconut drinks since the 70s in Sham Shui Po and their 30-plus years of experience shows. They follow the traditional recipe—breaking up a coconut, cutting up the flesh into small pieces, and blending it with ice, evaporated milk, water and sugar. A small cup costs $8, and it’s $18 for a bottle if you want to savor it at home. Not a coconut fan? The fresh lemon juice and papaya milk are just as delicious.

70 Bute St., Mong Kok. Open daily noon-midnight.

Prince of Bun
When people think of Chinese buns, the ubiquitous cha siu bao usually comes to mind. But step into Prince of Bun and you’re in for a surprise. Managed by a group of former bun chefs, the shop sells buns that are softer and fluffier than any others we’ve tried. The “Best Bun in the Universe” ($10)—made with chicken, mushrooms and abalone—is the store’s modest recommendation. The pumpkin bun ($4), sesame bun ($4), and pork sweet-potato bun ($4.50) are just a few of the other choices. The shop is located right opposite to the Mong Kok Food Market, hence the meat fillings are as fresh as they come. The Golden Peach bun ($28) is highly recommended, with a sweetened lotus mash and salted egg-yolk filling.

26 Mong Kok Rd., Mong Kok, 2392-7938. Open daily  7:30am-11pm.

Ireland’s Potato
Although Mong Kok is still the indisputable go-to district for street eats, Causeway Bay has always come a close second. Ireland’s Potato is a good example of the diversity of the food found in this crowded shopping district. Though their store may be tiny, it sells 700 mugs of fries a day. There are always 10 toppings on offer, but they vary regularly to keep up with the demanding and fickle tastes of Hong Kong diners. On the menu right now are pickle mayonnaise, fruit cream and plum pepper powder. One of our current favorites is the fries with mimolette cheese ($30); hot-foot it down there before it’s pulled out of rotation. Prices range from $18 to $30 with one topping, and if you fancy a little variety, it’s $5 for every extra topping.

518 Jaffe Rd., Causeway Bay, 2151-0089. Open Sun-Thu noon-midnight; Fri-Sat noon-1am.

Yuen Longings – HK Magazine

copyright: HK Magazine, Asia City Publishing

YUEN LONGINGS

Yuen Longings

September 5th, 2008

Cherry Ko heads north to see what’s happening in Yuen Long.

Eat

Tanaka Japanese Restaurant
It’s not too difficult to spot Tanaka—the queues for seats stretch out of the door and down the street at Yuen Long’s worst kept secret. This Japanese restaurant is so busy that staff have to ask the customers to finish their food within 45 minutes so that the waiting customers can get a seat. And at $17 for 2 huge portions of salmon sushi and $58 for a big plate of fresh sashimi, you realize why everyone is happy to queue. 18 Yuen Long Main Rd., 2474-7874

Wing Nin Stall
A famous go-to for delicious and inexpensive “cart noodles.” But again, prepare to wait if you’re ordering takeaway. Choose from a huge selection of local specialties like fishballs, chicken wings, pig intestines and pig’s blood jelly, and remember to ask for extra spice if you like it hot. There’s no price list anywhere to be seen, and you’ll only find out how much your meal costs once it arrives at your table. But with a bowl of noodles plus three toppings coming in at $15-$20, we’re not complaining. Bo Shing Building, Fung Nin Rd.

Tsang Heung Egg Roll
Although the self-proclaimed egg roll expert is tucked away down one of the small pathways along the Yuen Long Main Road, the aroma of their crispy and richly eggy rolls—$35 for 25 or $18 for 8—is what has attracted local Yuen Longers for years. Egg rolls not your thing? There’s a selection of other traditional snacks, too. 124E, Yuen Long Main Rd., 2476-1334

Red Penny 
Sure, Thai restaurants are a dime a dozen in Hong Kong, but when you find a really great one, your run-of-the mill joints will never be quite the same. Red Penny is one such restaurant, their specialty being fresh shellfish, fish and crab. Their most popular dishes include crab curry ($198) and fish flake salad ($98). It’s not the cheapest restaurant in town, but it’s so popular, reservations are highly recommended. 148 Kam Sheung Rd., 2488-3263

Play

Hong Kong Wetland Park
Want to be one with nature? The 61-hectare Hong Kong Wetland Park is a good place to start. This world-class conservation area is a habitat for a wide range of wild animals that you never knew lived here. The huge visitor’s center complements the reserve and is an educational and thought-provoking way to learn more about ecology and conservation. $30 for adults, $15 concession. Or you can apply for the annual pass ($100, or $200 per family of four). Wetland Park Rd., Tin Shui Wai, 2708-8885

Tsim Bei Tsui Organic Farm
Getting to the great outdoors in Hong Kong isn’t easy, but there is a place you can rent out a real Mongolian yurt. Tsim Bei Tsui Organic offers tents of different sizes, suitable for everyone from a pair of lovers looking for a romantic getaway, to a 12-person barbecue party. There is also a dragonfruit farm, the only one in Hong Kong, and lots of other organic vegetables for sale. Be sure to notify staff if you’re going to visit five days in advance so they know to arrange barbecue food for you. $800 for a 2-5 person yurt, $1,500 for 8-10. Tsim Bei Tsui, 2472-6962, www.yl.hk/birds

Tai Tong Lychee Valley
The weather is finally cooling down, and what better time to get out of the aircon and head outdoors? Tai Tong Lychee Valley is famous as a lychee farm where you can learn more about organic farming and even grow your own vegetables, but it is also packed with other activities. From barbecues to pony rides, petting zoos to fruit picking, there are tons of activities on offer for a fun day out. 11 Tai Tong Shan Rd., 2470-2201

History

Ping Shan Heritage Trail
The very first heritage trail in Hong Kong, Ping Shan has one of the longest recorded histories among all the districts of Hong Kong. It was once the home of the Tang clan, one of the five great clans of the New Territories whose history can be traced back to the 12th century. Check out the elegant structures that remain today, a testimony to the historical and the social development over the past centuries. The trail is about 1 kilometer long, meandering through Hang Mei Tsuen, Han Tau Tsuen and Sheung Cheung Wai, linking up a number of traditional Chinese structures along the way. Ping Shan, 2721-2326

Pat Heung Old Temple
This temple was built back in the 18th century, and although it may be built for the people to worship, it’s the delicious “poon choi,” or big bowl feast, that really draws the crowds. During traditional Chinese festivals, people will drive all the way to Pat Heung Old Temple to feast, and if you want to order poon choi takeaway during peak seasons like the Lunar New Year, you may have to order it a couple of months in advance. A big bowl, which is enough to serve 12-13 people, costs $808, while a smaller one is $538 for 6-8 people. They can arrange delivery for you. Plus, if you order 5 or more, they will deliver for free.Pat Heung Sheung Tsuen, 2472-6962

Street Talk – HK Magazine

copyright: HK Magazine, Asia City Publishing

PETER SZE

Peter Sze

August 29th, 2008

If you enter Peter Sze’s photocopy shop in Sheung Wan, be sure to pay a visit to his sideline, Beetle Station, where you can purchase beetles from his collection. The proud owner shares his passion with Cherry Ko.

HK Magazine: Beetles in a photocopy shop? Why?
Peter Sze: The idea just came naturally—my shop was originally a photocopy shop only. I kept my beetles here because the temperature and the humidity in the shop are ideal for them. But then my hobby started attracting people, who came in and asked for my advice about beetle-keeping. Eventually, 
I conceded part of my photocopy shop to the beetle business.

HK: What was the first beetle that got you into the hobby?
PS: It was a pair of Japanese rhinoceros beetles I bought a few years ago. Japanese rhinoceros beetles are always the starting point for beetle collectors; they’re beautiful and are so easy to handle.

HK: Are they easy to raise?
PS: Mostly. For food, they love fruity things, so I give them fruit jelly. Their ideal temperature is around 18-24 Celsius. They should be kept in a dry place.  However, if you want to take them out and play with them, keep in mind that our body temperature is a bit too warm for them. Seriously, if you want your beetles to live longer, don’t keep changing their habitat. I guess that philosophy works on every creature on earth.

HK: Do they have to be kept separately, in case they fight?
PS: We won’t put two male beetles of different species in the same box. They will kill each other. However, things are different for two beetles of the opposite sex. They can be really passionate towards each other, but sometimes the female one is so eager to mate that the male may find her annoying and kill her right away.

HK: Is it usually kids who are interested in keeping them?
PS: Usually kids are the one who drag their parents in, but turns out it’s the parents that become more interested in the beetles. They keep asking all about the different species, or how much it costs to keep them. However, once they hear that it may cost them a few thousand dollars for a pair of beetles that can only survive a year or less, they will start to go sour.

HK: Have the beetles ever tried to escape from you?
PS: I would say they’re not running away intentionally. During daytime when the sun is still out, they always stand still and eat, but at night they will try to move to brighter places. It’s their nature.

HK: Are they frightened by your visitors? And what about your cats?
PS: The beetles aren’t scared by the visitors, and even if they were, it’s hard to tell! My cats can’t be bothered to play with them anymore because the beetles don’t react to the cats much. The beetles are too boring to play with them.

HK: What do you enjoy most about your hobby?
PS: It’s all about the different breeds of beetles, their colors and shapes. The rarer they are, the more beautiful they are, and the happier we are. We keep the bodies as specimens, and being an owner of a really beautiful and rare species can make me feel really proud. I love to show them off when I get the chance.

Visit Beetle Station at L/G, The Centre Mark, 287-299 Queen’s Rd. Central, Sheung Wan, 2544-0282.