Gourmands rejoice!
Barely three weeks into 2020, Chinese New Year festivities are once again upon us early this year, making this the perfect occasion to round up your nearest and dearest and feast to your hearts’ content. From sweet turnip cakes to family-style menus to share, ring in the Year of the Rat with full bellies at these restaurants that meld exquisite menus with equally well-crafted interiors sure to satisfy design-loving foodies. Scroll through the gallery below for the whole list and make your reservations quick:
Nestled over two stories within Nexxus Building, the newly two-Michelin-starred, Siu Hin Chi-helmed restaurant melds traditional oriental elegance with contemporary allure not only in its menu but also its interiors – the aesthetic of which is the work of renowned architect and interior designer Steve Leung, who has imbued the space with a beautiful mix of earthy accents, emerald and gold details.
Within this stylish, soothing ambience, guests can enjoy 30 newly unveiled dishes and limited time-only special menus that have given authentic Cantonese recipes a new twist, from the taro puff with scallop and caviar, to braised South Africa abalone with sea moss and sun dried oyster braised for over 10 hours, and a host of handcrafted, preservative-free puddings.
8-course sharing menus range from HK$2,288 per person to HK$12,888 per table of 10 guests. Find out more at yingjeeclub.hk
It’s an impressive feat that few restaurants around the world have accomplished: for the fifth consecutive year, T’ang Court at the Langham has been awarded three Michelin stars, and it is the perfect gathering place sure to satisfy even the most hard-to-please relatives. Their latest Lunar New Year specialities feature plenty of auspicious highlights, including the pan-fried semi-dried oyster filled with shrimp paste, bamboo fungus roll filled with shrimp paste and a plethora of handcrafted dim sums.
To mark the festivities, they’re also serving up homemade puddings savoury turnip Pudding, taro pudding and the sweet New Year pudding created using authentic traditional recipes.
Price upon request. Find out more at langhamhotels.com
Chinese New Year and scrumptiously charred steaks might seem like strange bedfellows at first glance, but with this year’s New Years Day falling on January 25 – and just a day ahead of Australia Day – why not mark the occasion in true down-under style at one of the feted steakhouse’s three locations (we especially love its Wan Chai rooftop outlet boasting some the city’s best views).
Savour Aussie barbecue favourites like the signature grilled Australian 200-day grain-fed sirloin, or for seafood lovers, the olive oil poached John Dory fillets. They’ll also love the the ‘Shrimp on the Barbie’, a month-long special appetiser featuring tiger prawns, cucumber relish and sambal sauce sizzled to perfection in spicy Asian spices.
The Chinese New Year Fireworks Set Dinner is priced at HK$988 per guest. Find out more at woo-steakhouse.com
Over on the other side of the harbour, Rosewood Hong Kong unveils a host of sumptuous menus to be enjoyed against magestic sea views, including specialty dim sums by chef Li Chi Wai at The Legacy House, a revisit to old-time Canton province at Holt’s Café where chef Kwok Wai Chung has whipped up pristine renditions of Cantonese culinary favourites, including a Chinese seafood soup packed with the nourishing goodness perfect topped off with some piping hot tea prepared by resident tea sommelier Alan Leung.
Craving for something to take home? The Legacy House's deluxe hampers are filled with delectable goodies, while the premium Chinese New Year Pudding comes in two flavours: the glutinous rice for a sweet dessert or the savoury turnip – both especially made to a heritage recipe.
The Legacy House's premium Chinese New Year Pudding is available at HK$238. Find out more at rosewoodhotels.com
The more the merrier when it comes to delightful festive treats – so why not gift your relatives a whole basket of it with a specially curated hampers complete with Vive Cake Boutique’s signature bestsellers alongside a stunningly crafted cake? With each treat handpicked and handcrafted by founder Vivien Lau herself, the hampers feature favourites such as handmade assorted cookies, special edition meringues, organic house teas, marmalades and chocolate truffles, to name a few.
Amp up the festive spirit with the delightful multi-tiered cake, Bloom in Grace, coated with a light pink buttercream and sprinkled with candied colourful petals all over, creating a cheerful floral design. Each cake is topped by two fresh white orchids, considered one of the most auspicious flowers in Chinese culture, with their petals beautifully fanning out.
Bloom in Grace is available at HK$1,080. Find out more at vive.hk
Newly awarded one Michelin star this year, the resident Chinese restaurant in St Regis Hong Kong marks its first Chinese New Year with a host of mouthwatering festivities, including a trio of creative and lovingly handmade puddings by executive chef Hung Chi-Kwong.
These include a Japanese daikon radish pudding made with shredded daikon radish from Japan and packed with ingredients such as shrimp, shiitake, Chinese sausages and Jinhua ham; a rose-flavoured brown sugar pudding with a delicate aroma, and the Taro Cake with Japanese Dried Oysters, a traditionally savoury pudding that has been given a refreshing twist. A host of other symbolic dishes that signal good fortune and prosperity are also available on a Lunar New Year specialties menu packed with favourites such as the signature roasted crispy suckling pig.
The Japanese daikon radish pudding is HK$388 per box; the rose-flavoured pudding is HK$288 per box, and the taro cake with Japanese dried oysters pudding is HK$368 per box. Find out more at stregis.com
Following the incredible success of its Wan Chai original location, Samsen, the authentic Thai eatery and brainchild of chefs Adam Cliff and Bella Kong, expands this Chinese New Year into the foodie neighbourhood of Sheung Wan. The newly opened restaurant shines a spotlight on a menu that is slightly different to its original location, which is known for their belly-warming Thai boat noodles.
Here, the spotlight is turned towards dishes such as Khao Soi, the highly sought after curried beef with fresh egg noodles, that is served alongside freshly made roti best enjoyed dipped in a bowl of steaming Thai curry – perfect for those wishing to kick start the Year of the Rat with a spicy, flavourful punch and bold flavours.
Find out more at facebook.com/SamsenHK
