Advertisement
Food and Drinks
LifestyleFood & Drink

Dim sum, Thai, hotpot: Hong Kong restaurant picks of a Mauritian pastry chef

The Mira’s Smita Grosse shares her top Hong Kong dining spots, from where she goes for a taste of home to a place for dim sum with a view

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Hotpot at Haidilao, one of Mauritian pastry chef Smita Grosse’s favourite restaurants in Hong Kong.
Andrew Sun

Smita Grosse, a native of Mauritius, is the executive pastry chef of The Mira Hong Kong hotel. She spoke to Andrew Sun.

Growing up in Mauritius, my palate was shaped by a rich blend of Creole, Indian, Chinese and French influences. My childhood was filled with vibrant flavours from dishes like dholl puri, a savoury flatbread stuffed with ground split peas, and vindaye, a spicy pickled dish usually made with fish or meat.

Spices such as turmeric, star anise, cumin, masala spice mix and tropical fruit, including Victoria pineapple, Java plum, carambola (star fruit) and goyave de chine (Chinese guava) – a small, sweet-and-sour-tasting fruit that is mostly eaten with salted chilli powder – appear in unique dishes hard to find elsewhere. Do not forget our locally grown vanilla, which we infuse in teas and desserts.
Advertisement

In Hong Kong, I enjoy a variety of dining experiences. For a catch-up over Chinese food with friends, One Harbour Road (7-8/F, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai. Tel: 2584 7722) is my go-to spot.

Smita Grosse eats dinner at One Harbour Road in Wan Chai. Photo: Smita Grosse
Smita Grosse eats dinner at One Harbour Road in Wan Chai. Photo: Smita Grosse

When it comes to weekend brunch with my husband, nothing beats Whisk Dining Atelier (5/F, The Mira Hong Kong, 118-130 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Tel: 2315 5999), known for its innovative dishes and laid-back ambience, complete with live DJ and free-flowing cocktails.

Advertisement

For late-night supper, Haidilao Hot Pot (various locations, including 2/F, 26 Kimberley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Tel: 3613 0666) offers a fun and interactive hotpot experience.

Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x