Hong Kong is just less than two hours away from Manila by plane and is very much a global and cosmopolitan city. It is not only a commercial hub, but it is also a centre for culture and the arts. And obviously one aspect of culture is gastronomy. A lot of people would agree that the best Chinese cuisine comes from Hong Kong. Hong Kong cuisine is just the same as Cantonese cuisine, which is Chinese haute cuisine, as it were. It is, in fact, the most popular of the Chinese cuisines that it often becomes equated with the notion of Chinese food, when there still is a plethora of regional cuisines that can be had in the vastness of the Middle Kingdom.
The fennelbulbs' experience of Hong Kong is honestly, quite limited, being tourists as they were. But they would certainly love to share and recommend some great eats to experience fine local fare that would be quite a waste to miss.
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First in the list is Tai Hing Restaurant which has several branches in Hong Kong. The fennelbulbs' tried the branch in Causeway Bay along Jaffe Road. Tai Hing is known for their roasts - be it roast duck, roasted suckling pig, and mouth-watering sausages. Tai Hing is also known for their baked rice toppings - another Cantonese speciality which incorporates baking, a predominantly Western influence. Tai Hing basically is a very affordable eatery serving honest-to-goodness delicious local food.
The roast goose and duck is served over a bowl of Jasmine rice with generous servings of bok choy and kai lan vegetables on the side. The roasts are crunchy on the skin and the meat is tender and the blend of the meat's juices and the oil is very satiating to the palate. It is comfort food at its finest.
The baked rice toppings are also a delectable treat. On the picture is a hefty plate of baked wasabi pork chop. The wasabi is incorporated into the cream sauce which is poured over the pork and the rice and then baked. The texture is gratinated and very filling. The dish is made more delicious with the addition of mushrooms.
The price at Tai Hing is by all means affordable. Roast toppings fall under the HK$35 - HK$45 range, while the baked rice toppings fall under the HK$40 - HK$50 range. Also a variety of Western style breakfasts can be had till 10 or 11 in the morning and various equally tempting snacks such as the one below:
Baked potatoes with a topping of pork floss and mayonnaise and a garnish of raisin which provides a breather from the richness of the two previous ingredients mentioned.
All in all, Tai Hing probably is the kind of restaurant you may want to go to after a tiring day of shopping and sightseeing in one of Asia's premier cities.
(...to be continued)
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