To immigrate to Hong Kong, one must understand the Hong Kong gourmet guide: Hong Kong is the culinary capital of the East, bringing together Eastern and Western cuisines in a perfect display of tradition, modernity, creativity, and heritage. This article lists 10 new restaurants that opened in 2013, hoping to satisfy the curiosity of every food lover.
1. Catalunya
Hidden within an orderly office building lies this restaurant featuring the most modern Catalan flavors. Chef Alain Devahive Tolosa has 10 years of experience working at the famous El Bulli restaurant, and most of the other chefs come from renowned establishments such as Arzak, El Celler de Can Roca, and Mugaritz. Even culinary legend Ferran Adrià personally attended the restaurant's opening ceremony.
The maroon wooden décor and dim lighting create a mysterious and sexy atmosphere, but the food is the highlight. The spherical olives, Mediterranean red prawns, chocolate, and famous Spanish wines are choices not to be missed.
Address: Aiouy Mansion, 32 Oi Kwan Road, Wan Chai
Telephone: 28667900
2. Chachawan
Chachawan is located on Hollywood Road in the Tai Ping Shan area, characterized by its lively dining environment, young and trendy waitstaff, and loud music. Additionally, the restaurant does not accept reservations.
The restaurant serves cuisine from Northeast Thailand, which is spicier than the rich coconut milk-based dishes found in central and southern Thailand. The chef is 26-year-old Adam Cliff, whose culinary skills were honed at Bangkok restaurants such as Bo.Lan and Nahm, offering modern interpretations of Thai dishes like papaya salad, grilled meats, and seafood.
Address: 206 Hollywood Road
Telephone: +852 2549 0020
3. Duddell’s
Duddell’s is a Cantonese tea restaurant that achieved unexpected success in 2013. It integrates a bar, fine dining, a Cantonese restaurant, and an art gallery, using clean lines and wood décor to create a sophisticated and elegant atmosphere.
Chef Siu Hin-Chi is a master of Cantonese cuisine who previously served as the head chef at the Michelin-starred T’ang Court at The Langham. The ingredients are carefully selected, such as American Kurobuta pork and Kagoshima beef. If you want to experience Chinese cuisine without missing out on contemporary art and a Western-style vibe, this place will meet all your expectations.
Address: Shanghai Tang Mansion, 1 Duddell Street, Central, Hong Kong
Telephone: 2525 9191
4. Fatty Crab
After becoming a hit in New York, Fatty Crab naturally expanded to the gourmet capital of Hong Kong. Combining a bar and a restaurant, you can enjoy excellent meat dishes as well as exquisite cocktails here.
The cuisine here is a take on street food, such as Pullman toast with spicy crab meat or crispy roast pork belly with watermelon kimchi.
Address: 11-13 Old Bailey Street, SOHO
Telephone: 2521 2033
5. Gonpachi
The restaurant rose to fame because of director Quentin Tarantino’s "Kill Bill." Dark wood structures, lanterns, and temple-style decorations create a strong Tokyo ambiance.
The restaurant’s signature dishes are yakitori skewers and soba noodles, while tempura and sushi are also available. The garlic anchovy dip and Japanese miso garlic ribs are the most popular choices. Soba noodles are not available for takeaway.
Address: Lee Garden One, 33 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay
Telephone: 2787 3688
6. Kishoku
Located between buildings, the restaurant faces the famous Sushi Ta-ke across Causeway Bay. Its chefs are mostly high-ranking apprentices of the famous sushi master Kimijima. The interior is exquisitely and upscale decorated, but once you step up to the sushi counter, you can fully feel the "spirit of sushi." Sushi, sashimi, and Omakase are the specialties here, with prices around HK$1,200.
Address: Bigfoot Ctr, 38 Yiu Wa Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Telephone: 2893 0333
7. Little Bao
This is a Chinese burger joint where Chef May Chow has successfully reconciled tradition with trendiness, fusing skills and the essence of Cantonese, Japanese, and Thai cuisines. The dining environment is lively yet relaxed. Burgers are, of course, the signature product, with chicken, fish, pork, and vegetable options available, alongside pepper miso soup, tempura, and deep-fried green tea ice cream buns.
Address: 66 Staunton Street, Central, Hong Kong
8. Ronin
The restaurant is nestled in the crowded On Wo Lane, featuring a slate-grey exterior with no noisy hawking or loud music. Ronin’s cuisine is quite Japanese-styled, with sushi and seafood as its main offerings. Additionally, it carries a selection of Japanese whiskies.
Address: 8 On Wo Lane, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Telephone: 2547 5263
9. Souvla
Hong Kong had long lacked a good Greek restaurant, but Souvla fills this void. Its honeycomb layout, benches in the hall, and small round tables create a cozy atmosphere, making it perfect for dates. The menu is extensive, featuring goat bread, saganaki (fried Greek cheese) with fig jam, Glacier 51 Toothfish, Japanese sea bream, and much more.
Address: Ho Lee Commercial Building, 40 D’Aguilar Street, Central, Hong Kong
Telephone: 2522 1823
10. Wagyu Takumi
This is one of three restaurants opened this year by the Stellar Group, located in a back alley in Wan Chai with only 12 seats at an L-shaped bar. Chef Konishi’s specialty is French-Japanese fusion cuisine, and he also provides delicious teppanyaki. Abalone, sea urchin, and Kobe beef are signatures here, while the foie gras and pigeon are also not to be missed. The cuisine here is refined and expensive, but highly creative.
Address: Shop 1, Wagyu Takumi, Oak Hill, 16 Wood Road, Wan Chai
Telephone: 2574 1299
