Here's a different flavor of dim sum from Hong Kong: This time we were in the touristy area of Tsim Tsa Tsui (TST) where stores of top-tier brands from around the World (Rolex, Prada, Tiffany, etc.) lined the street of Canton Road. There were plenty of excellent Chinese restaurants in the area but we decided to choose something different - contemporary and creative dim sum at a trendy place.
This restaurant is hard to find so let me help you out. It cannot be accessed from inside Harbor City so you'll need to exit the mall and go down to the street level. It is not on the main street so you won't be able to see it on Canton Road. Go to the where the Giorgio Armani store is, then turn into the alley that also leads to a hotel. Walk straight down about 100 yards and you'll see it.
The place was trendy and the vibes were cool. The décor was contemporary and Western. It had the feel of a café or a tapa place. Or maybe an European family restaurant. It's definitely not your parents' or grandparents' dim sum restaurant.
The menu contained some of the popular staples such as har gow, siu mai, bean curd wraps, etc. - and all of which were very tasty. I particularly liked the very flavorful siu mai which was almost like a signature of Hong Kong that cannot be duplicated overseas.
But I was most impressed by two very creative and original dishes:
BAKED BBQ PORK CREAM BUNS WITH MINCED HAM: The outer shell was snow-white and had the texture and taste of a creamy pineapple bun with a crunchy and yummy crust. Those who have had a true Hong Kong style pineapple bun know how good it is. The inside was a mixture of the most delicious BBQ pork filling mixed with a touch of minced ham that greatly enhanced its flavor. This is creativity and originality taken to a higher level.
PAN-FRIED TURNIP CAKE WITH PRESERVED TURNIP: First off, I liked the tapa-style presentation. And secondly, I absolutely loved the combination - it's like turnip in two completely distinct and contrasting flavors that produced a complex and exciting pairing. But, of course, you'll have to like the very sour preserved turnip to love this dish like I do!
There were many, many other creative items on the menu that we didn't get a chance to try. Our mistake was ordering the basic staples that you can find everywhere else. If it's your first time there, skip the har gow, siu mai, etc. etc. and focus on ordering their unique creations that you probably won't find anywhere else. read more