Hong Kong and Macau_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 14th Edition) - Andrew Stone [120]
AMERICAN RESTAURANT
Map Northern Chinese $
2527 7277; Ground fl, Golden Star Bldg, 20 Lockhart Rd, Wan Chai; meal under $150; 11am-11.30pm; MTR Wan Chai (exit C)
The friendly American (which chose its name to attract Yank sailors cruising the Wanch for sustenance while on R&R during the Vietnam War) has been serving decent Northern Chinese cuisine for well over half a century, including a rarely seen Northern delicacy – pig’s throat stir-fried with parsley.
HONOLULU COFFEE SHOP
Map Tea Cafe $
2575 1823; Ground fl & Mezzanine fl, 176-178 Hennessy Rd; meal under $40; 6am-midnight; MTR Wan Chai (exit A4)
You’ll forgive the nondescript decor of this cha chaan teng once you’ve sampled its highly inhalable egg-custard tarts. They come with a flaky crust and a rich, creamy centre. There’s a branch in Central ( Map; 2526 8063; 33 Stanley St; 7am-2am; MTR Central, exit B).
INTERNATIONAL CURRY HOUSE
Map Indian, Southeast Asian $
2529 0088; 26-30 Tai Wong St East; meal from $80; 11am-midnight Mon-Sat; MTR Wan Chai (exit A3)
For 30 years, curry junkies have been tripping out on curries in all colours of the rainbow (red, green, yellow…) at this humble restaurant. Authentic, you ask? Well, when the oyster curry ($100) and the dry crab curry (from $200) are this mind-blowing, especially when eaten with paratha, authenticity should take a chill pill.
JOY HING FOOD SHOP
Map Cantonese $
2519 6639; Block C, 265-267 Hennessy Rd; 10am-10.30pm Mon-Sat; MTR Wan Chai (exit A4)
This basic stall is your best bet for Cantonese barbecue – succulent slivers of pork, goose, chicken and liver over freshly steamed rice (from $22).
KAM FUNG CAFE Map Tea Cafe $
2572 0526; 41 Spring Garden Lane; meal under $40; 7am-7pm; MTR Wan Chai (exit A3)
This cha chaan teng established in 1956 is famous for its iceless, ice-cold milk tea ($14), a shrewd invention that ensures the prized beverage doesn’t diminish in taste over its lifetime. The chicken pie ($6.50) is lovely when fresh from the oven.
KHANA KHAZANA
Map Indian, Vegetarian $
2520 5308; www.khanakhazana.hk; 1st fl, Dannies House, 20 Luard Rd; lunch buffet Mon-Fri $88, Sun $138; noon-3pm, 6-11.30pm Mon-Fri, noon-11.30pm Sat & Sun; MTR Wan Chai (exit A1)
Statues of Lord and Radha Krishna guard the entrance to this nifty restaurant serving upscale Indian vegetarian fare. We enjoyed the vegetarian tandooris ($58 to $78).
MANG AMBO’S FILIPINO RESTAURANT Map Filipino $
2143 6877; 120 Jaffe Rd, Wan Chai; 11am-10pm; MTR Wan Chai (exit A1)
Pinoy domestic workers, musicians and businessmen come to this hole-in-the-wall for its skewers, crispy pan-roasted pork and pork blood stew. A full meal will set you back a hefty $30.
SABAH Map Malaysian $
2143 6626; Shops 4 & 5, 98-108 Jaffe Rd; set lunch $60; 7.30am-midnight; MTR Wan Chai (exit A1)
Sabah in the heart of Wan Chai serves Malaysian food tempered for the Hong Kong palate, though that doesn’t seem to keep the peeps from the Consulate General of Malaysia from coming. The pièce de résistance is the fluffy roti canai ($20), which is tossed, twirled and kneaded before your eyes.
SAIGON PHO Map Vietnamese $
2833 6833; 319 Hennessy Rd; 11.30am-midnight; MTR Wan Chai (exit A4)
In terms of price performance, this modest eatery makes some of the best pho (bowl small/medium/large $32/$36/$42) in town, with tender beef in broth fragrant with herbs, and a bottomless side of chilli peppers the way we like it. The Vietnamese curries come with buttered baguette straight out of the oven.
WORLD PEACE CAFE
Map Vegetarian, International $
2527 5870; www.worldpeacecafe.hk; 21-23 Tai Wong St East; set lunch from $68; noon-2.30pm Mon-Sat, 6.30-9pm Fri & Sat; MTR Wan Chai (exit B2)
This coolly eco- and vegan-friendly restaurant staffed by volunteer waiters is said to be inspired by Kadampa Buddhism. Consuming its organic dishes and fair-trade coffee while soaking up the positive