Hong Kong and Macau_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 14th Edition) - Andrew Stone [134]
SPRING DEER Map Northern Chinese $$
2366 4012; 1st fl, 42 Mody Rd; dinner from $150; noon-2.30pm, 6-10.30pm; MTR Tsim Sha Tsui (exit M2)
Brisk, bright and busy, the Spring Deer is believed to be Hong Kong’s most authentic northern Chinese restaurant. The roast mutton is the best south of Xinjiang, while the deep-fried bamboo shoots and preserved cabbage tossed with glazed walnuts is a scrumptious mouthful. Book up to 10 days in advance for a weekend dinner.
HANSUNG CO Map Korean $
2367 5025; Shop 3, 10 Kimberley St; mains $50-70; noon-10pm; MTR Tsim Sha Tsui (exit B1)
Fans of Korean soaps love this stylish little shop for homemade fast food and a clean, contemporary feel absent from other eateries in the neighbourhood. There are about 30 dishes ($50 to $70) on the menu. The fried meat patty with green beans and the Korean rice cake are popular.
PEKING DUMPLING SHOP
Map Northern Chinese $
2368 3028; Shop A2, 15B, Austin Rd; 11.30am-11.30pm; MTR Jordan (exit D)
This tiny shop whips up decent pastries and noodles (per serving $7 to $32) of the chewy northern variety. Get your carb fix in booths or, if the smell of grease gets to you, on the go.
WOODLANDS Map Indian, Vegetarian $
2369 3718; Upper Ground fl, 16 & 17 Wing On Plaza, 62 Mody Rd; noon-3.30pm, 6.30-10.30pm; MTR East Tsim Sha Tsui (exit P1)
In its latest location above a department store, good old Woodlands continues to offer excellent-value Indian vegetarian food to compatriots and the odd local. Dithering gluttons should order the thali meals ($70 to $75), which arrive on a round metal plate with 10 tiny dishes, a dessert and bread.
IPPEI-AN Map Japanese, Noodles $
2722 4826; http://ippeian.com; Shop B1, Energy Plaza, 92 Granville Rd; 11.30am-3pm, 6-11pm; MTR East Tsim Sha Tsui (exit P2)
If you didn’t lose your way trying to find this secluded restaurant, you’ll see Japanese expats happily slurping up noodles (per bowl $55 to $75) or winding down over ice-cold beer and manga comics. And you’ll want to join them.
KUNG WO TOFU FACTORY
Map Chinese, Tofu $
2632 4680; 27 Prat Ave; 8am-11pm Mon-Sat, noon-10pm Sun; MTR East Tsim Sha Tsui (exit P2)
At century-old Kung Wo, stone-milled tofu comes braised, fried, stuffed or in the company of fruits (tofu snacks from $12). For nostalgic ambience, visit the old shops in Sham Shui Po ( Map; 2386 6871; 118 Pei Ho St; 6am-9pm; MTR Sham Shui Po, exit B1) and Kowloon City ( Map; 2718 0976; 67 Fuk Lo Tsun Rd; 8am-8pm Mon-Fri, 8am-9pm Sat & Sun; 5C from Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry or 101 from Statue Sq, Central). There are new branches, including one in Wan Chai ( Map; 2877 8389; 253-261 Hennessy Rd; 10am-8pm Mon-Sat, noon-7pm Sun; MTR Wan Chai, exit A4).
WAT YAT
Map Shanghainese, Northern Chinese $
2311 1498; 5-6 Hau Fook St; 7-10.30am Mon-Thu & Sun, 7am-11pm, Fri & Sat; MTR Tsim Sha Tsui (exit B1)
The only place left in Tsim Sha Tsui where you can have a traditional Shanghainese breakfast of savoury soy milk and stuffed glutinous rice rolls. There’s also a selection of northern-style pastries. Ask for an English menu (rice and noodles $20 to $33 per serving). Hau Fook St is a few blocks east of Nathan Rd in Tsim Sha Tsui. Walking north from the intersection of Carnarvon and Cameron Rds, it’s the first lane on your right.
WING LAI YUEN (YEUNG’S KITCHEN) Map Sichuanese, Shanghainese $
2320 6430; www.yp.com.mo/winglaiyuen; Shops 106-107, Site 8, Wonderful Worlds of Whampoa, 7 Tak On St, Hung Hom; 6am-10.30pm; minibus 6 from MTR Hung Hom station
A household name for daam daam min (spicy Sichuanese noodles),