DAY 3

I saved the best for last and asked R to take me for some traditional dim sum and a spot of shopping on my last day. We were on our way to Forever 21 in Jardine's Bazaar and look who we passed by. What a heartbreaker!





After some shopping, we went to Tim Ho Wan, the cheapest Michelin star restaurant in the world. Tim Ho Wan is a popular dim sum franchise with branches in Hong Kong and Singapore.

We went in at about 2pm and it was still bustling with diners. Tim Ho Wan doesn't take reservations, so be ready to collect a number ticket and wait.

Their menu was quite limited, but the food around me looked more than appetising so I was up for trying any of it. I had one request though - and that was to try their signature dish, the Baked Bun with BBQ Pork (HK$17). A twist to the usual char siu bao, this bun was baked with a crispy and sugar glazed top. The filling was traditional - tender pork covered in BBQ sauce with a hint of sweetness. It was definitely as good as I expected it to be!



Here are some of the other dishes we ordered:

Pan Fried Turnip Cakes (HK$14)



Steamed Mixed Vegetable Dumpling (HK$15)



Vermicelli Roll Stuffed with BBQ Pork (HK$18)



Steamed Rice with Chicken and Chinese Sausage (HK$18)



Tim Ho Wan is a great, authentic option for dim sum in Hong Kong. We paid just HK$82 for a Michelin star feast for two and left with happy bellies. If you're on the hunt for a budget dim sum meal, make sure to check out Tim Ho Wan.

Address: G/F, 2-8 Wharf Road, Seaview Building, North Point
北角和富道2-8號嘉洋大廈

Tel 2979 5608

Opening hours: 10am-9.30pm daily

Nearest MTR station: Island Line, Fortress Hill, Exit B

Hong Kong I

I am so excited about writing up this blog post. I know I have been away for a while and my only excuse is that I didn't have a laptop...and that I was in Hong Kong eating (and working) away. I was there for three days on a business trip and to see my friend from University, but of course I managed to squeeze in some foodie adventures.

I absolutely love the diverse dining scene Hong Kong has to offer. From traditional Dim Sum restaurants to British pubs, Hong Kong is a melting pot of cuisines.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to explore as much as I wanted to, but here is the first half of my trip. Read the second half here.

DAY 1

My first day was a long stretch. I woke up at 4am and my eyes slowly started to shut at about noon so I desperately needed some coffee. I came across Pacific Coffee Company and got a tall Mochaccino (HK$33). It was probably the best cup of Mochaccino I had all year. I get jittery with too much coffee, so this had just the right amount of coffee and chocolate for me.    

 

                    

Pacific is a franchise so there were several around Hong Kong. They'v also expanded out to Macau, China, Singapore, Malaysia and Cyprus.

Pacific - maybe come out to Taiwan next?

Pacific's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pacificcoffee?fref=ts

For dinner that day, I got some Ho Fun from a street stall and wasn't too satisfied with it sadly.



I passed an ice-cream stall on my way there called Lab Made.



After a disappointing box of noodles, I thought a bowl of liquid nitrogen ice-cream would do the trick so of course I walked out and got myself one!



Branded as Asia's first liquid nitrogen laboratory, it's no surprise there was a queue at 10.30pm on a weekday. Lab Made had four options to choose from and they frequently switch up the flavors. My choices were Tai Chi Tofu Pudding, Crunchy Sea Salt Gelato with Caramel Sauce, HK Custard Bun, and Crème Brulee.



I went with my fave - Crème Brulee.



If you're a science whiz, you'll know how liquid nitrogen ice-cream works. Me on the other hand...well I was just reminiscing about BIll Nye again. The ice-cream was definitely creamier than usual and the sugar shell topped it off perfectly. 

Lab Made's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LabMadeHK?fref=ts

DAY 2

I was in a rush to get to the convention center on the second day and the first place that came to mind for breakfast was the Charlie Brown Cafe. Charlie Brown comics defined my childhood Sunday afternoons. I loved comics as a kid and this place just took me back some years. It's a cute cafe covered in Charlie Brown toys, posters and paintings.









Their breakfast menu was primarily Western and the food was tasty. I went for Hot Cakes with Oranges and some hot tea  (HK$32). M went for an Omlette with toast and a glass of OJ (HK$34).





The cafe had breakfast and lunch options. It was s a great little place with good food and service. I definitely recommend it for all you Charlie Brown fans out there.

Charlie Brown's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/CHARLIE-BROWN-CAFE-Official-Page/180895148592

After hours of walking around at a toy exhibition, a glass of Mojito and a girly catchup on a rooftop bar was music to my ears. I was so excited to meet up with R and catch up since I last saw her in London over the summer. I dropped my bags at hers, had dinner and quickly headed out to Sugar.



Sitting at the top of East Hotel, Sugar was a chilled out rooftop bar and offered a stunning view of the harbor. Sneaky tip: don't miss out on the view from the bathroom, you won't be disappointed. Oh and, if you are out on the terrace do ask for a fuzzy blanket if you get chilly.

[caption id="attachment_567" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo credits: Sugar-HongKong.com[/caption]

R and I both went for a Mojito (HK$50) and got a bowl of complimentary peanuts to nibble on while we chatted away.



Sugar is a great casual hangout spot. With some nibbles, decently priced cocktails and a great view, you are guaranteed to have a great time.

Sugar's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sugar.hongkong