News about the new air travel bubble between Singapore and Hong Kong (Travel! For leisure! No quarantine!) probably had many clicking frantically over to SIA and Cathay Pacific to attempt flight bookings. But if you found the prices a little too sky high for your taste, take comfort.
Let travel make its (expensive) comeback —in the meantime, Oddle brings the flavours of Hong Kong to you. From unpretentious cha chaan teng staples, to best bites worth their Michelin salt, here are 10 authentic Hong Kong favourites to get your tastebuds raring to go.
1. Social Place
Social Place specialise in Chinese cuisine, but with a unique and modern twist. The renowned Hong Kong chain set up their very first overseas outlet here in Singapore in 2014.
Their signature dish, the Wagyu Char Siu (for 2 pax) ($30.89) is a one-of-a-kind dish. Premium and indulgent, it certainly lives up to its name.
The beef is seasoned with a soy-base marinade before it’s given a good searing on the grill. The end-product? A unique, modern and elevated take on the traditional pork char siew.
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2. Kam’s Roast
You can’t say you’ve ever been to Hong Kong without trying or even hearing about Kam’s Roast. This place absolutely tops my must-do list for when I finally can visit Hong Kong again.
Their signature 甘牌烧鸭 – 全只 Roast Duck – Whole ($63.25) is perfect for any special occasion. Thin and juicy, the duck skin complements the ultra-tender meat perfectly to give an all-rounded bite.
I exaggerate not—I have not looked at roast duck in the same way since my life-changing experience at Kam’s Roast in Hong Kong. It’s simply a blessing that they have outlets here in Singapore and deliver island-wide.
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3. Mui Kee Congee
Sometimes when you’re feeling down (like when a one-way SQ flight to Hong Kong costs $586.50) and in need of something comforting, a bowl of congee is all you need.
I had the fortune of dining at the original Mui Kee Congee during my travels in Hong Kong. The congees they serve up are from a three-generational recipe by the current owner’s grandmother.
With an outlet here in Singapore, I can enjoy a bowl of their signature 生滚青衣鱼腩 Parrot Fish Belly ($13.89) congee.
Thick and luscious is the way I like my congee, it comes with an abundance of ingredients. Their fish is super fresh too, which takes the congee up another level.
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4. Tsui Wah
Famous for their classic cha chaan teng fare, Tsui Wah’s 脆嘩奶油豬 Crispy Bun with Condensed Milk ($4.70) is the Hong Kong equivalent of the all-day breakfast.
Having toasted the buttered bun to golden-brown perfection, they finish it off by drenching it with decadent condensed milk. The ultimate cheat meal it is, but trust me, it’s worth the calories.
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5. Tai Cheong Bakery
Any egg tart-loving Singaporean would have a sweet spot for Tai Cheong Bakery.
Their famous Egg Tart (4 pieces) 蛋挞 ($8) boasts a delightfully buttery cookie crust that isn’t too surfeiting. To balance out the textures and flavours, they’ve perfected the egg custard to the right smoothness and sweetness level.
Tai Cheong’s egg tarts are as fresh as they get since new batches always sell out quickly. Hence, you can bet your egg tarts will still be warm when they reach you at home!
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6. Tim Ho Wan
We Singaporeans love all things affordable and high-quality, and Tim Ho Wan ticks all the boxes. As the world’s second-cheapest Michelin-starred eatery, it offers sumptuous dim sum while giving you a bang for your buck.
One of my all-time favourite items here are the Baked BBQ Pork Buns (3pcs) 酥皮焗叉烧包 ($8).
Sensationally crispy on the outside, the buns carry within them juicy and decadent barbecued pork fillings. Every bite thus encompasses different textures and flavours, making them a simply satisfying snack.
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7. Legendary Hong Kong
If you’ve ever been to Jurong Point, chances are you’ve heard of Singapore’s very own “Mongkok” district. One of the plethora of Hong Kong eateries there is none other than Legendary Hong Kong.
The restaurant serves up a wide range of traditional char chaan teng fare. One of their most popular items is the Custard Crust Bun with Butter 冰火菠萝包 ($3.88).
To me, a sign of a good pineapple bun is the soft crunch of the bun’s top crust. Satisfyingly, this has it. Not only that, but they also include in it a knob of butter, giving it a heavenly touch of savouriness.
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8. So Good Char Chan Teng
So Good Char Chan Teng offers old-school Hong Kong char chaan teng dishes, and they also pride themselves in serving up a variety of quality roast meats.
Their Roast Duck Rice 烧鸭饭 ($8.40) is an explosion of flavours in every bite. Seriously, this puts the So Good in their name.
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9. Canton Paradise
Canton Paradise does Cantonese fare so well, it’s right up there with our Hong Kong favourites. It offers a good variety of dim sum delights too.
You might recognise these adorable 猪仔流沙包 Steamed Molten Salted Egg Yolk Custard Piggy Bun (3pcs) ($6.70) from your Instagram feeds.
With oozy salted egg custard in them, not only are they delicious, but they’re also perfect for the ‘gram so have your phone cameras ready.
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10. Guan Chee Hong Kong Roasted Duck
Okay, Guan Chee Hong Kong Roasted Duck isn’t exactly a franchise from Hong Kong either, but they deserve a special shoutout nonetheless.
Since 1983, they’ve been perfecting the Hong Kong delicacy that roast ducks are, but first as a hawker stall.
The distinct smokey notes of their signature Charcoal Roasted Duck 炭烤烧鸭 (from $15) is what keeps customers returning. Some say it’s thanks to the secret sauce that the owner and resident duck connoisseur himself, Mr Chi, created.
If your ATB flight search has come up short, click over to Oddle Eats for Cantonese offerings and more as we eat global, stay local just a little longer!
