foodiehkger's Profile

I rarely give bad reviews, but The Cheesecake Factory deserves it.Definitely won't revisit given the mediocre food quality and terrible service. ◆2nd VisitThe English speaking staff in black uniform were rude and unfriendly. We got seated in a booth, asked for the hh menu as they only gave us the a la carte menu, then told us so unwillingly that if we wanted to enjoy happy hour then we had to move to the bar area. Felt like they didn't even want customers to know there was hh. A lot of new rules have applied. Last order is at 17.45 for hh. No bread provided. Can't make a reservation in advance for bookings after 5pm. Prices have increased.Nachos were topped with mostly cheese sauce instead of real cheese. Cheesecake was alright. Fancy presentation. Tho my friend said the portion got smaller than before.◆1st Visit - DinnerWe ordered 2 glasses of white wine. The first glass looked totally fine, but then the second glass was pinkish in color. Obviously the wine had been poured in a glass with red wine inside that hadn't been washed. Spoke to the manager and they changed to a new glass without apologizing.Buffalo wings were super dry and oversalted.Pasta was al-dente. Served warm but not hot.…Read More

Bukan has finally reopened at a convenient spot in Sham Shui Po. Refurbished with kominka interiors, the cozy and intimate setup allows guests to easily communicate with the chef and interact with other customers.◆牛海老 Black Tiger Shrimp◆帆立、鰤、蝦夷鮑 Scallop, Buri, Ezo-abalone◆蘭王と赤鶏の茶碗蒸 Chawanmushi w/ Ranou and AkadoriThe course started with some fresh sashimi like live scallop and seasonal amberjack. Steamed eggs were extra smooth which went in harmony with the flavorful akadori and gooey okra.◆小肌 Kohada◆大トロ Otoro◆中トロ Chutoro◆赤身 Akami◆氷上牡蠣 Hikami Oyster◆細魚 Needlefish◆鰯 Sardine ◆まぐろの手巻き Tuna Roll◆鯔白子 Bora Shirako◆馬糞雲丹の手巻きXL Bafun Sea Urchin Roll XL◆水雲 Mozuku◆秋刀魚 Sanma◆太巻き Futomaki◆キンキの煮付け Kinki Simmered in Soy SauceLove the stickiness, balanced sweetness and acidity of the sushi. Kohada, was marinated to the right point to highlight its unique taste. The rare bora shirako was creamy. Was lucky enough to taste the final sanma of this year. Went especially well with the liver sauce. Akami with strong umami and futomaki layered with various textures were some other impressive items.◆あら汁、稲庭うどん Fish Broth w/ Inaniwa Udon◆田村みかん、紅まどんな Tamura Mikan, Beni Madonna OrangeThe fish broth with chewy udon, as their shime, was rich and savory as always. After all these years, this is still the most heartwarming soup only available in Bukan.Would definitely revisit for other seasonal seafood and chef Takeshi's signatures!…Read More

Power Burger, specializing in smash burgers, is now offering $28 for a pint of draft beer on weekdays from 2-7pm. Just perfect for a late lunch and a booze. Double Cheese BurgerMust-have for meat lovers. Two thick pieces of juicy beef patties. Earthy and slightly bitter kale to balance out the heaviness of the meat. Fluffy bun with a crispy surface. The Ultimate SmashScrumptious burger with 3 layers of melting cheese and 4 pieces of smash beef patty which were crunchy on the outside. All went in harmony with the savory sauce. Very satisfying.Also ordered gherkins as a palate cleanser. Acidic and refreshing.Spicy Potato Wedges came in huge thick pieces. Extra soft inside. Served piping hot. Another must-try.…Read More

There's always long lines outside Ramen Samurai especially at night. The shop is more than just a ramen-ya with also cold brew and dessert available. Walked past around 1ish, luckily there wasn't a queue so we popped in for lunch. KaraageJuicy inside and crispy outside with a thin batter. I especially liked the garlic mayo.Samurai Shoyu Ramen 2.0A clear broth made from shoyu and sardine-based dashi. Fragrant, mild yet full of umami.Aged Chicken Soup RamenMade with 4-days-aged local chicken with a little fat, unlike usual creamy tori paitan, the broth wasn't too heavy and highlighted the chicken flavors.The portion of the ramen was just right, with noodles that tasted grainy and wheaty. Also recommending the tender and moist charsiu and jammy akitsuke tamago packed with shoyu flavors.Showa Style Pudding Instead of a smooth and melt-in-the-mouth texture, pudding of showa had a much thicker mouthfeel, almost like a cheesecake with caramel. Went in harmony with the cold brew yame sencha.Pistachio Basque Cheesecake Firm and rich. Nutty with a strong pistachio taste. The burnt ends added more texture to it. Paired well with the cold brew coffee.…Read More

Xiang Ye has recently opened a couple of new branches in Kowloon. Visited their first branch in Mei Foo before and reckon they offer great value. This time we popped into their Prince Edward shop at 6ish and it was already packed with customers.Clams in Garlic & ChiliThe upper shells of the clams had been removed so it was easy to eat. Every piece was loaded with chopped garlic. Hot and savory. Steamed Fish Head w/ Chopped Chili Instead of just fish head, it came with the fish belly too. Steamed to perfection. Soft and smooth.White Eel in Jerjer SauceCrunchy and moist white eel, in a slightly sweet local Jerjer sauce stir-fried with tons of bell pepper and onion.Claypot Rice w/ Frogs & Chinese SausageClaypot Rice is a must-have in this season. The chewy and fragrant rice was absolutely the signature item of Xiang Ye. The thin layer of scotched rice was a plus!…Read More

Finished work in TST and visited Thai Master for some southeast Asian cuisine. We got seated in the cozy balcony area overlooking the Kowloon Park. The restaurant is currently offering free flow with wine, beer and several cocktails at only $98 per person. We preferred tasting their signature cocktails and ordered an infused tea liquor based Cobalt Blossom, which was bitter and zesty, and a more girly White Temple with fruity and floral notes.King Prawn Tom Yum KungA boiling hot pot of soup probably enough for 4 to share. Rich and savory. Slightly spicy. Stir-fried Beef Fillet w/ Mango on Sizzling PanTender beef with a nice sear stir-fried with sweet mango cubes, onion and bell peppers. Scrambled Eggs w/ Crab Meat & Crab PasteA dish recommended by the staff. Served with nann bread and cucumber slices. A luxury way to enjoy such a big portion of crab meat!Deep-fried Fish in Hot & Sour SauceA symphony of textures and flavors. Crunchy batter and edible bones with moist meat inside, topped with an appetizing Thai sauce highlighted by fragrant lemongrass.Layered PuddingTo our surprise it was a steamed dessert. Full of coconut and pandan aroma.…Read More

It's gotten cooler these days and enjoying meat in front of a hot Korean grill is absolutely one of the best meal ideas. Stumbled upon Namdaemon in TST for some soju and grilled meat after a long day.◆Soybean Paste Stew w/ Beef BrisketA must to order a bowl of boiling hot and spicy soup, with slightly tender beef brisket, tofu and chopped veggies to warm my tummy. Served with steamed rice.◆Boneless Short Rib◆Pork Skirt MeatThe beef short rib had a balanced meat to fat ratio. Pork skirt meat, a rare cut, had a rather strong meat flavor and firm texture. Both came is big portions. Best way to enjoy the meat was wrapping the meat with fresh lettuce and various kinds of savory kimchi, which were all available for a refill.…Read More

Market Hotpot in H8, TST, has been my usual hot pot place when I feel like having a nourishing pot of fish maw chicken. ◆Fish Maw Chicken PotFirst off, taste the soup alone, then enjoy the tender chicken before adding other ingredients. Took some time to boil the fish maw as I prefer a more gelatinous texture. ◆Australian Beef Shank◆Beef Bone Marrow◆Beef BallOrdered more beef items this time. Crunchy beef shank, creamy bone marrow, and the beef balls with bursting beef soup were a highlight.◆Fish Cake◆Pepper Pork Belly Meat BallThe fish cakes had well absorbed the chicken soup, while pork balls were bouncy and savory.◆Celtuce◆LettuceFresh veggies. Celtice came in a surprisingly big portion. As for the drinks, we had a sweet soup like Snow Fungus & Goji Berry Tea and a refreshing Salted Lime in bubbly 7-up.…Read More

Looking for a decent Spanish meal at affordable prices? I'm highly recommending La Barra in Cheung Sha Wan, a cozy and intimate restaurant serving up genuine and traditional Spanish food. Our beverage picks were Aqua, an aesthetic mocktail with calamansi juice and fragrant elderflower and a glass of refreshing orange juice.Mushroom Croquetas & Crab CroquetasPiping hot homemade croquettes with a thin and crispy batter and creamy filling layered with various textures. A hearty snack.Gambas al AjilloSpanish staple. Fresh and crunchy shrimps. Served with crackling toasts to dip the garlic sauce.Grilled Hanging SteakThe best steak I've had in a while! Plating with no frills. An extra moist and tender steak with mashed chickpea and a rich gravy that almost melted in my mouth. Fideua de PescadoA seafood dish with short pasta originated from Catalunya. The fish skin and noodles were baked to perfection with a crispy surface. Good portion for 2 to share.…Read More

All-you-can-eat is absolutely one of the most popular dining styles in HK. This time we popped into Cow Cow Fresh for its 150-min all-you-can-eat Chaoshan fresh beef hot pot. Visited on a Monday and the restaurant was fully seated around 7.30pm.A complimentary seafood platter including oysters, shrimps, abalone and clams came along with the menu. The crunchy shrimps were a standout.Each table was served a round plate of beef with hind shank, ribeye cap and chuck tender etc. My personal recommendation is to enjoy the leaner meat together with the brisket fat in one bite.A variety of appetizers, deep-fried munchies, meat and seafood were also available by order. They also provided self-service corners with a wide range of veggies, hot pot ingredients, ice cream and all-you-can-drink beer and wine.…Read More

The Pantry Cafe, renowned for their pancakes, features not only sweets but a wide variety of western cuisine including pasta, pizza and steaks. Visited for the second time to enjoy their decent food in a casual dining set up. Glad we made a reservation in advance as the restaurant was packed with customers even we went on a Monday.White Wine MusselsBlue mussels in a creamy and satisfying sauce. A small pot was perfect for two to share.Chicken WingsCrunchy batter, juicy meat. Sprinkled with shaved cheese. Served with sour cream and smoky barbecue sauce.Beef SirloinAustralian sirloin grilled to the right point. Pretty tender with a balanced amount of fat with strong meat flavors. Instead of savory fries, we picked the smooth mashed potatoes to pair with their mushroom sauce. Tiramisu PancakeOne of the must-try new items. Layered with various textures and flavors from creamy tiramisu and refreshing raspberries on top, a crunchy chocolate cracker to an extra soft and fluffy, freshly made thick pancake. The crispy and flaky cone filled with custard, along with the chocolate powder on the plate were some other highlights.…Read More

Visited The Salted Pig in Shatin for a couple times before for the specialized pork menu and sangria. Hadn't been there for a year and they've changed to a new menu with pizzas. Unfortunately our favorite suckling pig is no longer available so we picked something new to try.Sangria Red Not sweet at all. Their mixture included a good portion of wine with finely chopped fruits like green apple and strawberry. Slow Cooked BBQ Baby Pork RibsExtra tender pork ribs coated in a smoky, savory and slightly sweet barbecue sauce. Served with piping hot crispy chips and grilled pineapple.Slow Cooked Three Yellow ChickenA standout. Cooked to perfection. The chicken was loaded with meat juice with a balanced amount of fat. Delicately seasoned. Served with mashed potatoes and grilled veggies.…Read More

Tai Kok Tsui is a gourmet hub with a variety of cuisines from local eats to fine dining. This time we stumbled upon Youshoku Shoten, a Japanese Western fusion izakaya on Li Tak Street featuring sukiyaki in a casual dining set up.We ordered a sukiyaki course for 2. The staff prepared and served the sukiyaki at the table. A range of meat options were available of which we picked Oz M9 Wagyu Sirloin & US Prime Chuck Flap Tail. The M9 Wagyu had more marbled fat but actually both parts were just as tender and juicy.Sake-steamed Clams, as part of the menu, were mildly flavored. The clams tasted briny and were cooked to the right point. For the side dishes, we chose Mentaiko Tamagoyaki topped with tobiko and savory mayonnaise, and Chicken Wings, which was a standout with a caramelized layer of crispy skin and juicy meat.Instead of udon, shime was a creamy and sticky pot of rice with corn cooked in the sukiyaki soup. The staff also recommended to keep the onions in the pot to be enjoyed with the rice.As for the drinks, we had a freshly squeezed lime soda and the other one with salted plum and refreshing mint. …Read More

Have known Chef Ray for some time and just found out he has opened a new yakitori restaurant in Prince Edward called Gekka featuring hanamidori from Fukuoka. Ordered an omakase course to share, with skewers, shime and dessert.◆ソリレス Chicken Oyster ◆ささみ Chicken Breast◆手羽中 Chicken Wing◆ハーツ Chicken Heart◆つくね Minced ChickenSasami was grilled to bleu, as the chicken was sashimi grade. Tsukune was made with nankotsu of the chicken leg which created a more crunchy texture in symphony with the tender meat. Chicken oyster, a rare part, was a standout with crispy skin and juicy meat.◆うなぎ Eel◆豚バラしそ巻 Pork Shiso Roll◆サーロイン Sirloin◆アスパラ Asparagus In addition to chicken, the set included 1 seafood, 2 meat and 1 vegetable. Unagi, my personal favorite out of these, was tender and grilled to perfection.◆親子丼 Oyako-don◆ゆずシャーベット Yuzu SorbetThey provided a couple of choices for both shime and dessert. We picked the staple oyako-don which was finely seasoned, and a refreshing yuzu sorbet to conclude the scrumptious course.Also ordered a couple of items from the a la carte menu.◆ポテトサラダ Potato Salad◆豚バラ玉子焼き Pork Egg Roll◆イカの一夜干し Dried & Salted Squid ◆銀杏 Gingko ◆クリームチーズ玉子焼き Fried Eggs w/ Cream CheeseAs recommended the staff, we ordered a pork egg roll with soft-boiled egg as a dip for the tsukune. Fried eggs with cream cheese was surprisingly good. Not so often to see this combo. The richness of cream cheese enhanced the flavors of the runny eggs.…Read More

Tsang Sam Sin, located at the corner of Prince Edward station, is a mixiam specialist with a wide variety of soup choices. All signature Sam Sin mixian comes with 9 ingredients including luncheon meat, quail eggs, bamboo shoots and pork liver etc. Sweet & Sour KelpAppetizing and healthy cold dish to munch on while waiting for the mixian to be prepared.Hawthorn TeaSweet and refreshing with jelly cubes inside. Went perfectly with spicy mixian.Mixian in Chicken Soup (+Shrimp Balls)Recommending the shrimp balls that were cooked to the right point with crunchy shrimps. Thin and soft mixian that absorbed the essence of the warming and comforting chicken soup. Black Tofu & Beef Mixian in Hot PotOrdered Chongqing extra spicy. Savory mala soup with a thick layer of red oil that kept the whole pot boiling hot. The homemade black tofu looked like frozen tofu so I was expecting a rough texture. To my surprise it was smooth, soaked up the hot soup and tasted smoky. Other ingredients included kelp, tomatoes and black fungus.Deep-fried Bread Stick w/ MochiFreshly fried but not greasy at all. A symphony of textures. Crispy on the outside and chewy inside. Sprinkled with black sesame and sugar.Sam Sin Jelly PuddingMade with rice dumplings called "chilled shrimps" because of its shape. Topped with dried grapes and goji berries. A mixture of taste and textures.…Read More