‘Great Cantonese classics’, superb seafood: journalist’s Hong Kong restaurant picks
Karen Koh reveals her favourite restaurants for seafood in Hong Kong, as well as for ‘creative and tasty dim sum’ and authentic laksa
Originally from Australia, Karen Koh is a broadcast journalist and board member of the Foreign Correspondents’ Club. She spoke to Andrew Sun.
I grew up in Sydney, and my parents were migrants from Singapore. At home, my mum cooked Asian food. I could never understand why my school friends did not like vegetables, because my mum made all kinds of Asian-style leafy greens.
She also grew chillies and made her own sambal belacan. The whole house smelled like fish. Now, I love seafood – crab, lobster, prawns, clams, squid – more than meat.
I go to Sai Kung regularly for wake surfing. Afterwards, we often go to Sing Kee Seafood Restaurant (33-39 Sai Kung Tai Street, Sai Kung. Tel: 2791 9887). It is not on the main pier. It is tucked away, so not so touristy. The seafood there is really good, and they also do great Cantonese classics like sweet and sour pork and beef with cashews.
If you have a junk, Ming Kee (Po Toi Island. Tel: 2849 7038) is a great restaurant. It is not easy to get to, but the food is really good.
The other seafood place we like is High Island (Yau Ley) Seafood Restaurant (Lot 359, Sha Kiu Tsuen, Leung Shuen Wan, Sai Kung. Tel: 2791 1822). Even though the easiest way to get there is by boat or sampan, it is always busy and fun.
Continuing the island theme, Cheung Chau has a really good little French bistro called @TheCove (13 Tsan Tuen Road, Sai Wan, Cheung Chau. Tel: 9545 5990). It is really nice for lunch with pâté, croque monsieurs, charcuterie platters and really good crêpes.