Expats and Chinese Food

[jesse]

So Im curious, how have your eating habits changed since you have moved to Hong Kong? Specifically, what is your opinion and habits concerning the local Chinese food?

Chinese food is nowhere near my favorite, however I have come to love some of it. Indian, Mexican, and Italian will forever hold the top spots, however, as I am here for only 4 months, I am experiencing as much as the traditional Chinese food as I can. Especially much dim sum, congee and yau ja gwai, cheung faan (rice noodles), sweet soups, mock meats, and so on. Recently I have had some homeade food from my girlfriend's mother, made with chinese herbs and mushrooms, various spices, recipes rooted in family tradition, and this has topped it all. If only they sold this type of food in the restaurants. Overall, my experience with Chinese food in Hong Kong has not been too amazing, however there are definately some wonderful flavors, concoctions, and customs.

So how are you making out with the local food? (emphasis on local Cantonese food, but inclusive of country wide staples such as rice, congee, noodles, boiled vegs, etc)

[shri]

I'm not a fan of cantonese food. Tend to prefer northern styles a fair bit.

I still crave for "us style chinese take away" at times.

Top of the list food would be

-- Thai
-- Indian
-- Mexican
-- Shezhuan / Hunan
-- Sandwiches / Soups
-- Japanese

[kevin]

Agree with Shri, Cantonese is not the best Chinese food, too bland for me. If I eat out it tends to be Thai or something spicy but most of the time we just cook at home.

I do miss the Chinese resturants back in UK as they offered a real mix of styles from Shanghai to Shezhuan to Cantonese and everything in between. Not truely authentic as you would never get such a mixture here but it makes for great meal as you can choose the best dishes from all over China rather than being stuck with just one style of food.

Do love the Dim Sum!

[Botox]

Yeh, I was really disapointed that the Hong Kong Chinese food was NOTHING like the British Chinese takeaway food

I have found one restaurant that does similar food, in taste anyway, but they always leave the bones in every piece of meat, and layers of fat and gristle on meat - which Chinese people seem to like but I'm a bit of a fussy git.

I've been eating Japanese mostly, and it's delicious - I love tereyaki beef, tempura, sushi, mmmm! I could probably write a good guide to Japanese restaurants on Hong Kong Island

Korean BBQ is also a favourite, and Thai's not bad either. And I still like a big unhealthy burger from Shooters or Outback, but feel a little guilty eating that type of food - coming halfway round the world and experiencing yet more burgers.

[kevin]

Korean BBQ is also one of my favs. Best place to take visitors as it is so much fun cooking your own food and the taste is great. Also love the Korean beer and Soju

[Bouric]

Chinese food? It's like speaking of European food! There are so many differnt kind of food in China. I agree with Kevin, it may be easier to have a good idea of Chines food elsewhere than in H.K., and Cantonese food is far to be my favorite. If you want to try all kind of Chinese food, why not have a trip to Taiwan It's a good place, on my opinion, to have a large panorama of Chnese food in it's great variety.

[Lammarite]

Taiwan's a bit of a long way to go for dinner for most of us! Kublai's above Delaney's in Wanchai is good, Mongolian BBQ so you can choose what you want, how much you want and as many times as you want. Healthy too if yopu want it to be.
Sichuan food is definitely the best Chinese food, tofu with chili, fish with chili, everything with chili!

[goodfood]

Like Cantonese food selectively. Freak out on Diumsum and can have it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Like Shanghainese selectively too. Absolutely love Sichuan. Haven't had much northern variety yet.

Favourite cuisine still would be Thai and Indian ( Goanese, Bengali, Muslim, Keralite in that order). Like French very much and some Spanish. Vietnamese and Malaysian would feature in the list on good days. Crave the Portugese Bacalhau and African Chicken of A Lorcha and Henri's in Macau. Love Korean food. Have had some fab Japanese meals. Adore all-American steaks in all-American portions.

I'm sure I've missed some. Bottomline: depends on the restaurant or who's cooking.

[webdog]

Try Szechuen food, it definitely worth the adventure. A good restaurant for this cuisine at 4/F Miramer Shopping Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui called Yuen Yeung. Mind you the food could be quite hot, but ask the waiters for some recommendations.

[DimSum]

Actually I'm not the fondest of my namesake - much prefer Mango Pudding with extra milk "M'goy, bei ngor mongowo bodine, ga lai!". IMHO, I think the best Yum Cha in HK is Victoria City Seafood Restaurant in Citic Tower, Admiralty.

I've learnt to like Cantonese food. My girlfriend is a local so I get to taste what's out there and also get to sample Ma Ma's home style cooking ("I'll have number 14 and 37 please - what, no sweet and sour pork" ?!?!). I really cannot stomach Western style Chinese food!!!

I hear there's a great husband and wife run Sichuan restaurant tucked away in Soho that requires plenty of advanced booking. The husband cooks and the wife sings traditional Chinese songs. Does anyone know the details?


Cheers