Handmade Pasta Queue Spot: The Kwun Tong Branch is Naturally Beautiful! Revealing the Hidden Cheese Cocktail

Turns out the popular handmade pasta spot “Nocino” from Tai Hang also has branches in Kwun Tong and Central!! This time, I visited the Kwun Tong branch and loved the ambiance—wooden furniture, stone walls, and plants create a natural, rustic vibe, with large windows making the space bright and airy. Super comfy seating too.

"Nocino," the Tai Hang handmade pasta queue spot, has a spacious Kwun Tong branch.

Wooden furniture, stone walls, and plants craft a natural countryside style.

The Viral Wavy Pasta!

Their handmade pasta has a rich eggy aroma, and you *have* to try their internet-famous wavy pasta. Beyond pasta, the chef and owner, Matthew Ziemski, comes from a family in Ticino (the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland), drawing culinary inspiration from the area’s *Grotto-style* cave restaurants.

Nduja Wavy Pasta. The pasta is coated in sauce, paired with spicy Nduja sausage, pork, and Italian Mascarpone cheese.

There’s also a variety of handmade pastas to choose from, all with a satisfying al dente bite.

The Owner Moved from London to Hong Kong, Bringing Southern Swiss Cuisine

Matthew worked as a chef in London for years before relocating to Hong Kong in 2019 to open his restaurant, introducing Hong Kongers to the rare flavors of Ticino cuisine. Since Ticino is in southern Switzerland (near the Alps and bordering Italy), its unique geography—spanning glaciers to chestnut forests—shaped its *Grotto-style* rustic dishes. The Kwun Tong branch is so spacious that you can enjoy wine like the locals, along with cheese and cold cuts. The regional polenta, risotto, and fresh handmade pasta are all super tempting.

Wagyu Tartare has a primal meatiness, served with garlic milk aioli and crispy potatoes.

[Secret Off-Menu Cheese Cocktail!]

Grotto Negroni

Besides having an in-house mixologist crafting cocktails and mocktails, there’s a secret off-menu item—the *Grotto Negroni*!! This twist on the classic Italian Negroni is sprayed with Gorgonzola cheese foam, then topped with freshly shaved cheese and a dusting of nutmeg.

The original Negroni blends gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, offering herbal notes, bittersweetness, and a light sweetness.

With the cheese addition, the first sip of the *Grotto Negroni* delivers a savory punch, followed by the gradual emergence of the Negroni’s bittersweet profile. The balance of flavors is magical—you’ll want to keep sipping! A must-try when you visit.

The Grotto Negroni is sprayed with Gorgonzola cheese foam.

Then showered with freshly shaved cheese and a sprinkle of nutmeg.

【Cocktails】

The cocktail menu is refined, featuring hibiscus, lavender, dark rum, and even coffee flavors. We tried a few—none were overly harsh, just well-balanced. Whether you prefer fruity or bolder options, there’s something for you.

Multiple cocktails, each with its own charm.

Tamaro Sbagliato

Campari / Apple Vermouth / Sparkling Wine

The base is the famously bittersweet Campari, which you’d expect to be intensely bitter. But the herbal-fruity sweetness of apple vermouth lifts it, and the sparkling wine makes it super approachable—a pleasant surprise.

Bittersweet Campari meets herbal fruitiness.

Ticino Spritz

Aperol / Hibiscus / Orange / Sparkling Wine

This cocktail blends Swiss and Italian flavors, like bottling the lakeside vibe of Ticino. Aperol meets hibiscus florals and orange zest, mixed with Prosecco for a fresh sweetness. A floral, fruity cocktail many girls would love.

A floral, fruity cocktail that’s a hit with ladies.

Nocinotini

Nocino (Walnut Liqueur) / Dark Rum / Coffee Marsala

Ever wondered what an Espresso Martini with walnut liqueur would taste like? The *Nocinotini* has the answer. The mixologist added dark rum for an extra bold edge.

The Nocino walnut liqueur here is special—made by Matthew’s uncle, who handpicks walnuts in Ticino every season. A unique European flavor worth trying.

The Nocino walnut liqueur is made by the owner’s uncle in Ticino.

Clear Day in Maggiore

Gin / Lavender / Lemon / Sparkling Wine

If Hong Kong life feels like staring at skyscrapers and neighbors’ laundry… this cocktail transports you to Lake Maggiore with lavender and lemon, while sparkling wine adds a sweet energy.