https://www.scmp.com/rss/321716/feed Food trends, restaurant and bar recommendations, plus rising chefs to know en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Charlotte Shore Charlotte Shore When a cha chaan teng in Busan, South Korea, made it into this year’s Michelin Guide, it was a sign of how far the Hong Kong tea restaurants have come since the 1950s and 60s. Both at home and abroad, cha chaan teng are hotter than boiling-hot Ceylon tea poured through a milk-tea cotton “stocking”. In Hong Kong, long queues form outside Milk Cafe branches, while social-media buzz surrounds the ramshackle Lan Fong Yuen on Gage Street, Central. Overseas, these cafes have spread to cities such as... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3354775/hong-kong-style-cha-chaan-teng-cafes-thrive-globally-gen-z-embraces-nostalgic-dining?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3354775/hong-kong-style-cha-chaan-teng-cafes-thrive-globally-gen-z-embraces-nostalgic-dining?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 30 May 2026 00:00:07 +0000 Mavis Teo Mavis Teo Yuguang Island in Tainan is said to be one of the best places in Taiwan to watch the sunset. Situated just off its southwest coast, the stretch of land faces an open run of the Taiwan Strait, where the sun drops into the sea, a molten egg yolk sinking into the horizon. At this golden hour, Yudao, a restaurant discreetly nestled in Mao House – a five-key bed-and-breakfast tucked into Crescent Bay, a small curve of beach sheltered by whistling pines – catches the last of the light. Rays filter... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3354766/discover-tainans-culinary-renaissance-yudao-chef-nick-yang?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3354766/discover-tainans-culinary-renaissance-yudao-chef-nick-yang?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:06 +0000 Jen Paolini Jen Paolini Vincenzo Capuano What does multi-award-winning pizza taste like? Acclaimed Neapolitan pizzaiolo Vincenzo Capuano knows a thing or two about that. Having opened more than 40 restaurants globally, the world-champion chef now brings his signature Nuvola pizza – so-named for its airy, “cloud-like” texture, achieved through a specially developed dough-fermentation process – to Wan Chai. Capuano’s pies are also presented as a “cut” above the rest: a pair of “golden” scissors are used at the table to... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3354501/hong-kongs-hottest-new-openings-manteigaria-avalon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3354501/hong-kongs-hottest-new-openings-manteigaria-avalon?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:10 +0000 Jen Paolini Jen Paolini American painter Bob Ross was fond of quipping, “We don’t make mistakes; we have happy accidents.” Our “happy accident” this week is that food and nostalgia, serendipitously, became recurring themes, threading this issue’s stories into a layered journey that traverses not only land and sea, but also time, to arrive at the table. Shakespeare’s Hamlet laboured under the weight of “to be, or not to be”, but when it comes to food, the most important philosophical question is: do you live to eat, or... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3354497/week-postmag-nostalgic-celebration-food-glorious-food?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3354497/week-postmag-nostalgic-celebration-food-glorious-food?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 24 May 2026 00:00:06 +0000 David Ho David Ho EAT THIS Gaylord Indian Restaurant Alphonso mango season is here, and Gaylord Indian Restaurant’s new limited-time menu is built upon an indulgent celebration of India’s most coveted fruit. The prized cultivar is featured in various flavour combinations, forms and textures, such as the crunchy Alphonso mango bhel, the Alphonso mango malai kofta comprising cheese-filled mango rolls in a creamy korma gravy, the Alphonso mango chicken curry, the sweet Alphonso mango kulfi ice cream and the fresh... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3354487/best-things-do-hong-kong-may-24-30?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3354487/best-things-do-hong-kong-may-24-30?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 May 2026 00:00:07 +0000 Hei Kiu Au Hei Kiu Au At 5am, the Aberdeen Wholesale Fish Market – the oldest and largest in town – is not for the public. It’s a maze of fluorescent lights, flooded floors and shouted Cantonese, where deals are made in half-sentences and the morning’s best catch disappears before the city wakes. At this hour, Hong Kong’s finest kitchens are still dark, their chefs still fast asleep. Instead, there is Peter Kam, 38, a self-taught fish aficionado with a near-mystical read on gills and gloss. His company, Peter... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3354389/hong-kongs-seafood-whisperer-peter-kam-takes-us-pre-dawn-tour-citys-premier-fish-market?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3354389/hong-kongs-seafood-whisperer-peter-kam-takes-us-pre-dawn-tour-citys-premier-fish-market?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:07 +0000 Hei Kiu Au Hei Kiu Au If and when Donald Trump touches down in Beijing this week for his long-anticipated state visit, the chefs who will feed him and his entourage – probably at least once in the Great Hall of the People – will already have run the scenarios for his meals. The last time he came, in 2017, the state banquet menu reportedly included Kung Pao chicken, coconut chicken soup, tomato beef and poached star grouper. It was a diplomatic tightrope walk: how do you honour a guest whose culinary preferences,... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3353112/if-trump-didnt-eat-just-burgers-what-might-he-be-served-his-beijing-visit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3353112/if-trump-didnt-eat-just-burgers-what-might-he-be-served-his-beijing-visit?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:10 +0000 Jen Paolini Jen Paolini Stübli From the team behind Swiss-Italian dining “grotto” Nocino comes Stübli, an Alpine-inspired steakhouse that treats fondue as a year-round indulgence. With chef-founder Matthew Ziemski at the helm, Stübli channels his family’s Bernese roots into generous spreads of potato rösti with toppings such as beef tartare and smoked egg yolk, summer black truffle fondue and “lobster thermidor” fondue, Australian Wagyu cuts and Dutch rose veal fillet medallions pan-fried to perfection. Swiss classics... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3352840/hong-kongs-hottest-new-openings-stubli-blanc-de-noirs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3352840/hong-kongs-hottest-new-openings-stubli-blanc-de-noirs?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:10 +0000 David Ho David Ho EAT THIS Tiffin Saicho has teamed up with Grand Hyatt Hong Kong for an afternoon tea set featuring its alcohol-free sparkling brews, available until June 28. Guests can enjoy a selection of sweet and savoury treats, delivered on a tiered cake stand, and for every two sets ordered, they’ll receive a 200ml bottle of Saicho darjeeling, hojicha, jasmine or osmanthus tea, to be enjoyed with the set or later at home. M/F, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai DRINK THIS Friday After... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3352793/best-things-do-hong-kong-may-2-8?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3352793/best-things-do-hong-kong-may-2-8?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 09 May 2026 00:00:07 +0000 Gavin Yeung Gavin Yeung Elizabeth Chu Yuet-han ate a lot of pho ga, or chicken noodle soup, growing up. As a child in late-1990s Saigon, she could often be found in the kitchen of her maternal uncle and aunt, breathing in the sweet, heady aroma of an entire bird bubbling in a pot as its flavour slowly infused into the broth, alongside a medley of herbs chosen according to a cherished family recipe. “The thing with Vietnam is, my family might make chicken pho this way, but my friend’s family might make it a different... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3351803/le-le-redefines-vietnamese-fine-dining-hong-kong-saigon-soul-food?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3351803/le-le-redefines-vietnamese-fine-dining-hong-kong-saigon-soul-food?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:19 +0000 Gavin Yeung Gavin Yeung Amigo has a visibility problem. Despite being the date-night spot of choice for generations of well-heeled Hongkongers and an unmissable sight on the way into Happy Valley thanks to its distinctive golden sun sign, the 59-year-old restaurant has always maintained an air of mystery behind its Spanish Revival-style facade. “A lot of people don’t know we’re a restaurant,” says veteran hospitality consultant Nelson Chow, who was brought in by the owners last year to rejuvenate the restaurant’s... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3351177/amigo-restaurant-59-years-hong-kong-fine-dining-and-new-caviar-delights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3351177/amigo-restaurant-59-years-hong-kong-fine-dining-and-new-caviar-delights?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:10 +0000 Gavin Yeung Gavin Yeung Bistrot du Vin After 13 years, French stalwart Bistrot du Vin has decamped to Sai Ying Pun, taking over the former Bâtard site at The Fine Wine Experience. Aside from the spacious setting, the draw here is the retail-plus-dining model, allowing guests to browse a cellar of 7,000 labels and pay shop prices at the table. Chef Guillaume Losguardi serves unpretentious, wine-friendly fare such as pâté en croûte and marble goby in puff pastry. G/F, 165-166 Connaught Road West, Sai Ying... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3351136/hong-kongs-hottest-new-openings-amalgamate-happy-samurai?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3351136/hong-kongs-hottest-new-openings-amalgamate-happy-samurai?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:13 +0000 Gavin Yeung Gavin Yeung EAT THIS Racines Racines enters a fresh era under new executive chef and co-owner Chun Wah-leung. Born in Strasbourg, France, to Hong Kong parents, Leung is trading his tenure with Anne-Sophie Pic to blend Cantonese heritage with rigorous French technique. Expect a terroir-driven menu that delicately treads between two culinary worlds in creations such as the abalone prepared meunière style and a refined take on prawn toast using Kuruma prawn tartare. 22 Upper Station Street, Sheung Wan DRINK... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3351173/best-things-do-hong-kong-april-26-may-2?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3351173/best-things-do-hong-kong-april-26-may-2?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Apr 2026 00:00:09 +0000 Jeff Yeung Jeff Yeung When you’re already the best bar in the world, where do you go next? To the Oscars, of course. Several weeks ago, Bar Leone’s founder, Lorenzo Antinori, took to Instagram in a sharp tuxedo to announce that he and his bar had been picked to pour libations at the Governors Ball, otherwise known as the official Oscars after-party. Now back in town after the event, Antinori was finally able to let loose about what was undeniably a career high point for the self-professed film buff. “It was... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3348824/bar-leones-lorenzo-antinori-meeting-hollywood-stars-oscars-after-party?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3348824/bar-leones-lorenzo-antinori-meeting-hollywood-stars-oscars-after-party?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 07:15:07 +0000 Gavin Yeung Gavin Yeung Le Le To celebrate its 10th anniversary, ZS Hospitality Group introduces Le Le, a progressive Vietnamese concept rooted in the heritage of the group’s chairwoman, Elizabeth Chu Yuet-han. Named after Vietnam’s famed whistling duck, the restaurant explores the intersection of Indochinese vibrancy and Cantonese technique. Led by chefs Elvin Lam and Le Minh Duc, the kitchen elevates childhood staples such as pho and xoi man through a fine-dining lens. The moody, indigo-accented space functions as a... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3348823/hong-kongs-hottest-new-openings-le-les-launch-thong-smiths-debut?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3348823/hong-kongs-hottest-new-openings-le-les-launch-thong-smiths-debut?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2026 07:00:12 +0000 Gavin Yeung Gavin Yeung EAT THIS Zozzona Tsim Sha Tsui’s Zozzona welcomes Okinawa’s Pastaione for a cross-cultural kitchen takeover on April 15 and 16. Chef Teppei Zama applies his Japanese lens to Italian classics, using seasonal ingredients in highlights such as mezzi paccheri with Japanese seafood and a pappardelle featuring rich Agu pork ragù. To finish, a tiramisu infused with Okinawa’s famed chinsuko cookies offers a playful twist on tradition. G/F, 29-31 Hillwood Road, Tsim Sha Tsui DRINK THIS Bourke’s Peel... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3348815/best-things-do-hong-kong-april-5-18?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3348815/best-things-do-hong-kong-april-5-18?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Apr 2026 05:00:09 +0000 Gavin Yeung Gavin Yeung Terrace Boulud Famed French chef Daniel Boulud makes his Hong Kong debut this month with Terrace Boulud, a rooftop brasserie in Sevva’s old haunt atop Landmark Prince’s in Central. A collaboration with Mandarin Oriental, the space balances Gallic heritage with local flair – most notably in a “French-meets-Cantonese” dim sum menu featuring truffle-infused soup dumplings. Expect a 300-label wine list, a sculptural onyx bar and a terrace designed for transitioning from power lunches to late-night... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3347313/hong-kongs-hottest-new-openings-terrace-boulud-ramenya-shima?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3347313/hong-kongs-hottest-new-openings-terrace-boulud-ramenya-shima?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Mar 2026 22:00:10 +0000 Gavin Yeung Gavin Yeung Eat this Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Hong Kong takes centre stage as it hosts the awards ceremony for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants for the first time on March 25. To mark the occasion, a series of official Signature Sessions will see global culinary heavyweights take over local kitchens for one-night-only collaborations. Highlights include a powerhouse dinner at Ando featuring chefs from Taipei’s Logy and Florilège in Tokyo, a multi-hand feast at Caprice with the teams from Masque (Mumbai) and... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3347135/best-things-do-hong-kong-march-22-28?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3347135/best-things-do-hong-kong-march-22-28?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Mar 2026 05:00:08 +0000 Gavin Yeung Gavin Yeung Yamamoto Hamburg Tokyo’s Yamamoto Hamburg has landed in Tseung Kwan O, bringing its “golden ratio” beef-and-pork patties to Hong Kong. Founded by chef Shohei Yamamoto, the brand elevates Japanese homestyle comfort food through a dedicated all-day menu. Expect hand-kneaded patties, such as the cheese-filled signature in miso sauce, served with bottomless Japanese rice. Shop F23, 1/F, PopCorn 1, 9 Tong Yin Street, Tseung Kwan O Chouchou Injecting wholehearted Parisian gastronomy into Wan Chai,... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3345697/hong-kongs-hot-new-openings-yamamoto-hamburg-chouchou?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3345697/hong-kongs-hot-new-openings-yamamoto-hamburg-chouchou?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Mar 2026 22:00:09 +0000 Jianne Soriano Jianne Soriano In Ali Nuraly’s words, meeting fellow Kazakhs Xeniya Tregubenko and Marat Zakaryayev in Hong Kong, of all places, was his “destiny”. The trio are the founding team behind Yurt, the new modern Central Asian restaurant in Hong Kong. Located on Elgin Street, in Central, it’s an ode to the cuisines of the region that comprises Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Each had vastly different reasons for moving to Hong Kong: Tregubenko came for university and stayed to work... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3345679/yurt-hong-kong-restaurant-putting-central-asian-cuisine-map?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3345679/yurt-hong-kong-restaurant-putting-central-asian-cuisine-map?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Mar 2026 03:00:09 +0000 Jeff Yeung Jeff Yeung Most meat lovers will be familiar with the grass-fed versus grain-fed debate, but what happens if instead you feed cattle chocolate? Over at Australia’s Mayura Station, that’s exactly what they’ve been doing – and it’s certainly caught our attention. Established in 1845, Mayura Station is one of Australia’s most prized Wagyu producers and among the first to import full-blood Wagyu from Japan, starting in 1997. Its unique location, on the Limestone Coast of South Australia, makes for brilliant... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3344438/do-cattle-fed-cadbury-chocolate-make-tastier-wagyu-chefs-weigh?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3344438/do-cattle-fed-cadbury-chocolate-make-tastier-wagyu-chefs-weigh?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 10:00:16 +0000 Rachel Au Rachel Au I dreamed of rows upon rows of freshly baked cookies, from the classic chocolate chip with chewy centres and crisp, lacy edges, to beautiful linzers with glossy, jammy middles and a dusting of icing sugar. Or even one of the more quirky creations I’ve seen on Instagram, studded with salt and vinegar crisps and caramelised white chocolate. I imagined people cosying up on plush couches with a plate of cookies in one hand and a steaming mug of milk in the other. Michael Bublé would be crooning in... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3342660/how-one-hongkonger-found-food-can-fire-flagging-social-life?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3342660/how-one-hongkonger-found-food-can-fire-flagging-social-life?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Feb 2026 07:15:07 +0000 Gavin Yeung Gavin Yeung Kyanbasu by Mt. Yotei The team behind Causeway Bay lamb grill Mt. Yotei has descended on SoHo with Kyanbasu, a “fine izakaya” devoted, boldly, to all things ovine. Living up to its name (Japanese for “canvas”), the art-filled space frames lamb as the medium, offering everything from dry-aged skewers and rare cuts to a rich fish maw and lamb brisket broth. With bespoke Yardley Brothers sour beer and Nagano wines on offer, it’s a spirited, if unconventional, ode to the flock. 40 Gough Street,... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3342598/hong-kongs-hottest-openings-toni-aus-ebauche-hiltons-new-motto-hotel?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3342598/hong-kongs-hottest-openings-toni-aus-ebauche-hiltons-new-motto-hotel?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Feb 2026 22:00:09 +0000 Gavin Yeung Gavin Yeung As the Year of the Horse gallops into sight, Hong Kong’s most in-demand tables are readying for the rush of reunion dinners and auspicious starts. From the requisite harbourfront fireworks viewings to reimagined Chiu Chow classics, here is the edit of where to book for the Lunar New Year. For those who believe the New Year requires a cinematic backdrop, the harbour remains the protagonist. Above & Beyond at Hotel Icon continues to be a top contender for the fireworks display on the second day of... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3342520/where-gather-best-hong-kongs-chinese-new-year-offerings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3342520/where-gather-best-hong-kongs-chinese-new-year-offerings?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Feb 2026 08:00:12 +0000 Elaine Wong Elaine Wong The rhythmic hiss of gas burners from Sek Si Mei Sek’s kitchen cuts through the chatter as we take our seats. Once a modest street stall, this now-roofed eatery retains its dai pai dong soul: wobbly plastic stools, the syncopated clang of woks and the intoxicating aroma of white pepper-laced bone broth swirling around the table. Macau’s 24/7 rhythm, fuelled by its casino economy, sustains a late-night dining culture where 100 pataca stir-fries share pavements with casseroles three times the... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3341273/macaus-best-late-night-eats-according-chefs-tam-kwok-fung-julien-tongourian-and-pan-sihui?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3341273/macaus-best-late-night-eats-according-chefs-tam-kwok-fung-julien-tongourian-and-pan-sihui?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Feb 2026 06:00:39 +0000 Gavin Yeung Gavin Yeung Hetras Seoul-based fragrance brand Hetras has landed in Causeway Bay, marking its first physical outpost outside Korea. A favourite among K-pop royalty, the artisanal label’s clean, nature-inspired aromas span more than 30 distinct scents, including Flower Shop, Hotel Wood and Jeju Saryeoni Forest – each available as long-lasting reed diffusers, vintage-style perfumes or antioxidant-rich body care. It’s a welcome dose of olfactory calm amid the city’s hustle. 67 Percival Street, Causeway... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3340984/hong-kongs-hottest-new-openings-matcha-lattes-japanese-dipping-noodles?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3340984/hong-kongs-hottest-new-openings-matcha-lattes-japanese-dipping-noodles?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Jan 2026 22:00:10 +0000 Gavin Yeung Gavin Yeung Only a year ago, Macau would have seemed like the last place to find a thriving craft cocktail scene. Its sprawling, bedazzling gambling resorts draw a predominantly mainland Chinese crowd who prefer Burgundy wines, Mao-tai or simply an ice-cold bottle of Harbin Beer with their baccarat. Locals, on the other hand, are famously nightlife-shy, preferring to retreat home at the end of the working day while saving up for weekend trips north to Zhuhai. Add to this the world-famous watering holes of... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3340765/asias-50-best-bars-came-macau-and-nothings-been-same?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3340765/asias-50-best-bars-came-macau-and-nothings-been-same?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Jan 2026 04:00:10 +0000 Elaine Wong Elaine Wong For a full year, he was forbidden to touch even a single piece of chicken. Yoshiteru Ikegawa, the yakitori master of the Michelin-starred Torishiki in Tokyo, spent his apprenticeship mopping floors, running errands and peeking over the shoulder of his mentor, Yoshito Inomata, a “Karate Kid” in the world of charcoal and skewers. It was not until his fourth year that he was finally allowed at the grill. Inomata’s logic was brutal, simple and par for the course in Japan: to teach the young Ikegawa... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3339345/why-yakitori-chef-yoshiteru-ikegawa-treats-grilling-endurance-sport?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3339345/why-yakitori-chef-yoshiteru-ikegawa-treats-grilling-endurance-sport?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 18 Jan 2026 10:00:22 +0000 Vanessa Lee Vanessa Lee Ardy Ferguson seems relaxed, or as relaxed as he could be for somebody about to compete in the most prestigious young chefs’ competition in the world. The first time I meet him is in the spotless kitchen of one-Michelin-starred Belon – one of Hong Kong’s most recognisable French restaurants – where he can be found most days, more so in the immediate run-up to the grand finale of the S.Pellegrino Young Chefs Academy Competition (SPYCA). At the age of 30, the Indonesian-Canadian has already risen... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3340146/ardy-fergusons-road-spellegrino-young-chef-crown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3340146/ardy-fergusons-road-spellegrino-young-chef-crown?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 Jan 2026 00:00:11 +0000 Gavin Yeung Gavin Yeung In May 1976, the wine world’s axis tilted. At a blind tasting in Paris – later immortalised as the Judgment of Paris – a panel of French judges unwittingly dismantled the myth of Gallic invincibility. The weapon of choice? A 1973 Chardonnay from Château Montelena. When the scores were tallied, this upstart Californian bottle had bested the finest white Burgundies, including a Meursault Charmes and a Bâtard-Montrachet. It was the “shot heard round the world”, a moment that transformed the Napa... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3339297/judgment-paris-winning-napa-winery-coming-dinner-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3339297/judgment-paris-winning-napa-winery-coming-dinner-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Jan 2026 08:00:09 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Embracing Dry January but still want to celebrate with bubbles? Whatever the event, these non-alcoholic sparkling teas can lend a sense of sophistication without the hangover. Chalu Designed in response to the current sober-curious wave hitting China’s Gen Z, Chalu, the Yunnan-born sparkling tea venture founded by tea expert Mia Sun and ex-Goose Island brewmaster Fraser Kennedy, offers three cold-brewed and oak-aged artisanal sparkling teas: Snow Jasmine, Volcano Oolong and Hibiscus Noir.... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3338906/sparkling-sober-5-fizzy-teas-refined-dry-january?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3338906/sparkling-sober-5-fizzy-teas-refined-dry-january?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Jan 2026 18:00:12 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Yujo Hong Kong can never get enough of Japanese fare, as the opening of yet another izakaya proves. Blending the warmth of a Japanese pub with sleek interiors, Yujo features a menu focused on sashimi and the robata grill, as well as playful takes on Japanese classics such as squid risotto nero and stuffed chicken wings with foie gras. Shop G06, G/F, Hopewell Mall, 15 Kennedy Road, Wan Chai Mr. Cheesecake This beloved Japanese dessert brand has opened its first permanent store in Hong Kong, at... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3337595/hong-kongs-new-openings-izakaya-trattoria?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3337595/hong-kongs-new-openings-izakaya-trattoria?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Jan 2026 22:00:11 +0000 Gavin Yeung Gavin Yeung As a teenager, Miko Calo often found herself lugging lighting equipment beside her cousins during her summer holidays, trailing behind her aunt as they canvassed the far corners of the Philippine archipelago with a television crew in tow. Titled Travel Time, Susan “Tita” Calo-Medina’s travel show was a pioneer when it began airing in the late 1980s, showcasing the richness of Filipino culture and cuisine during an era when it was much more fashionable to look to the West for holiday... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3338096/michelin-guide-arrives-philippines-could-it-be-filipino-cuisines-time-shine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3338096/michelin-guide-arrives-philippines-could-it-be-filipino-cuisines-time-shine?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Dec 2025 07:15:07 +0000 Gavin Yeung Gavin Yeung Dong Ling Cha Recipe by Axel Gonzalez, bar manager of Terrible Baby Infuse 200 grams of spent cold brew coffee grounds per 1,000ml of rum for 24 hours. In a highball glass, combine 20ml coffee-infused Matusalem 15-year-old rum, 20ml Campari, 30ml lemon juice and 15ml grapefruit juice and stir with ice until chilled. Add more ice, then top up with sparkling Vita Lemon Tea. Garnish and serve. Serves one. Oriental Mulled Wine Recipe by Dennis Mak, co-founder of Clan & Company Combine 20ml brandy,... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3336245/3-festive-cocktail-recipes-try-home-mulled-wine-and-watermelon-rum-iced-lemon-tea?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3336245/3-festive-cocktail-recipes-try-home-mulled-wine-and-watermelon-rum-iced-lemon-tea?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Dec 2025 23:00:08 +0000 Cat Nelson Cat Nelson The first time I ate at Jean-Pierre, soon after it opened this spring, I counted 10 birthdays. By the third of the evening, my dinner companion and I exchanged a look. By the sixth, it was absurd. At eight and nine, the staff – bow ties, white shirts, the whole bit – delivered sparklers to adjoining tables in unison. Resistance was futile. The French bistro in Central has become a destination for celebrations. “It’s every night,” says Marc Hofmann, managing director of Black Sheep Restaurants... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3337277/jean-pierres-host-chief-christmas-alps-and-his-favourite-spots-celebrate-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3337277/jean-pierres-host-chief-christmas-alps-and-his-favourite-spots-celebrate-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Dec 2025 10:00:11 +0000 Gavin Yeung Gavin Yeung Gloria Chung Wing-han is best known in Hong Kong’s culinary circles as an itinerant food writer-turned-stylist and the founder of Foodandtravelhk, the Instagram-based media brand from which she shares her globetrotting adventures in gastronomy. So it’s all the more unexpected that the Hong Kong-born barometer of good taste has chosen to locate her food styling Batcave, if you will, in a sleepy private housing estate in Tai Tong, on the outskirts of far-flung Yuen Long. For Chung, the studio – a... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3336219/how-hong-kong-food-stylist-gloria-chung-creates-festive-table-home?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3336219/how-hong-kong-food-stylist-gloria-chung-creates-festive-table-home?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:12 +0000 Jeff Yeung Jeff Yeung Christmas in Hong Kong looks a little different from the festive winters of my childhood in Vancouver, Canada, but the spirit and the flavours stay the same. We’re much tighter on space here, the ovens are smaller and everyone is short on time, but the joy of cooking a proper Christmas meal remains unchanged. Over the years, I’ve refined a menu that is deeply nostalgic, highly practical and wonderfully festive. Christmas always centres on three dishes I truly love: the classic prawn cocktail, a... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3336167/chefs-guide-making-traditional-christmas-meal-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3336167/chefs-guide-making-traditional-christmas-meal-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Dec 2025 22:00:10 +0000 Gavin Yeung Gavin Yeung As the year draws to a close, Hong Kong is awash with set menus, cultural happenings, themed brunches and extravagant countdown parties. The offerings run the gamut from high tradition (yes, more turkey) to the decidedly unconventional (fried chicken, anyone?). Tai Kwun has launched its “Simple Gifts of Joy” celebration, running until January 4. The main event is “Circus Plays”, a programme bringing in high-calibre international circus acts, including the Asia premiere of The Genesis from... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3336172/what-do-hong-kong-christmas-michelin-star-feasts-circus-acts-and-charity-events?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3336172/what-do-hong-kong-christmas-michelin-star-feasts-circus-acts-and-charity-events?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Dec 2025 10:00:15 +0000 Gavin Yeung Gavin Yeung Jija by Vicky Lau Chef Vicky Lau of Tate Dining Room and Mora trades fine dining for the rustic, convivial spirit of southwest China at Jija. Found in the newly opened Kimpton hotel, the 50-seat bistro – named for the sound of cheerful chatter – focuses on Yunnan province’s robust flavours and famed produce, from wild mushroom salads to Puer tea-smoked chicken. The intimate space, inspired by Miao weaving, features a dedicated tea station and a striking wall of house-made pickles. 15/F, Kimpton... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3335315/hong-kongs-hottest-new-openings-quiet-coffee-shop-central-yunnan-cuisine-bistro?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3335315/hong-kongs-hottest-new-openings-quiet-coffee-shop-central-yunnan-cuisine-bistro?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Dec 2025 22:15:09 +0000 Andrew Sun Andrew Sun “Come, I want you to have a look at my office,” says Marian Chin, stepping into her kitchen and pantry in Kuching, Sarawak. Each shelf is lined with jars and bottles of herbs, spices, preserves and other indigenous foods found only in the jungle of the East Malaysia state. As a food activist, researcher and editor, Chin has been at the forefront of cataloguing her homeland’s rich biodiverse culture. Located in the northwest of the island Borneo, Sarawak is home to rainforests, rivers, jungles... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3334857/woman-bringing-indigenous-sarawak-food-world-marian-chin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3334857/woman-bringing-indigenous-sarawak-food-world-marian-chin?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Dec 2025 03:00:20 +0000 Vanessa Lee Vanessa Lee One of the newest additions to Hong Kong’s inimitable skyline is The Henderson: a shining, undulating sci-fi fantasy of a building by Zaha Hadid Architects that is mind-bending in more ways than one. When it was bought, in 2017, the plot on which it stands – at 2 Murray Road in Central – set a record for the most expensive in the world, at about US$3 billion; and the finished structure features state-of-the-art construction techniques and nifty features such as AI-optimised lifts. Which is all... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3332825/peridot-hong-kongs-sky-high-playground-radical-food-and-rare-spirits?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3332825/peridot-hong-kongs-sky-high-playground-radical-food-and-rare-spirits?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Nov 2025 04:00:17 +0000 Jeff Yeung Jeff Yeung Walk into any supermarket or mall and you’ll find dozens of chocolate brands from all corners of the world: French, Swiss, British, American – even a home-grown one from right here in Hong Kong that’s been making waves in recent years. But if there’s one country that can claim to be the champion of this indulgent confection, it has to be Belgium. “In Belgium, chocolate is more than a treat – it’s a part of daily life,” says Tarquin Fontaine, founder of his eponymous artisanal, bean-to-bar... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3332134/how-hong-kongs-culture-connects-its-relationship-chocolate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3332134/how-hong-kongs-culture-connects-its-relationship-chocolate?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 10 Nov 2025 02:18:09 +0000 Rachel Au Rachel Au On a sweltering October afternoon, the queue outside Pineapple Bakery snakes down Sheung Wan’s Wing Lok Street. Families, couples and retirees wait patiently in the heat for the next batch of what are arguably the city’s most elusive pineapple buns. The enticing aroma of butter and sugar drifts from underneath the bakery’s half-closed shutters. Inside, a young woman dressed in black begins to pull trays of plump, golden pineapple buns from the oven. This is Adele, the fiercely private founder... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3331749/how-young-chefs-obsession-created-hong-kongs-viral-pineapple-bakery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3331749/how-young-chefs-obsession-created-hong-kongs-viral-pineapple-bakery?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 09 Nov 2025 05:00:10 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Ethica Led by British-trained chiropractor Ronan Chan, Ethica offers an alternative to quick-fix pain relief. The clinic addresses root causes through personalised, hands-on chiropractic treatment and emphasises education, emotional support and long-term balance, helped along by their yoga workshop. Unit A, 1/F, 128 Wellington Street, Central Yume Taking over the basement once home to Drop and Quality Goods Club, Yume is a Japanese-inspired cocktail lounge and the latest to join Central’s... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3330478/new-openings-hong-kong-yumes-cocktails-kai-fuk-laus-contemporary-chinese?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3330478/new-openings-hong-kong-yumes-cocktails-kai-fuk-laus-contemporary-chinese?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Oct 2025 22:15:08 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Siu Siu From the team behind Censu and Golden Gip, this contemporary izakaya fuses fiery teppan grilling with playful twists on Japanese favourites. Expect bold, umami-rich flavours in stand-out dishes such as drunken prawns in Shaoxing wine and the Censu cheeseburger. A thoughtfully curated sake selection provides the perfect pairing for any dish. G/F, The Strand, 49 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan Tempura Nagaoka Well-established in Fukuoka’s culinary scene, this izakaya makes its Hong Kong debut... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3329356/new-openings-hong-kong-fukuoka-street-food-bakehouse-peak?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3329356/new-openings-hong-kong-fukuoka-street-food-bakehouse-peak?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Oct 2025 04:45:08 +0000 Gavin Yeung Gavin Yeung Zozzona Chef Takayuki Kumai’s new pasta bar blends Italian classics with Japanese flavours through the tradition of itameshi, with highlights such as the Okinawa seaweed zeppole and the rigatoni alla zozzona, the dish that gave the restaurant its name. The lasagne verde, layered with Hokkaido salmon and miso cream, is ideal for sharing over a glass of vino or sake. G/F, 29-31 Hillwood Road, Tsim Sha Tsui Urban Coffee Roaster This home-grown cafe brand has landed at Hong Kong International... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3328895/hong-kongs-new-openings-japanese-italian-pasta-pho-inspired-cocktails?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3328895/hong-kongs-new-openings-japanese-italian-pasta-pho-inspired-cocktails?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Oct 2025 03:00:15 +0000 Xinrou Shu Xinrou Shu Sophie Wang Yuan had long wanted to serve dishes from southeast China’s Jiangxi province, whose cuisine is known for its heartiness and heat. So, in 2019, she opened Latang, a name that translates as “a spicy hall/room”. The Shanghai restaurant, full name Latang Xianla Restaurant Jiangxi Cai, went viral as content creators from across China and even Japan swooped in to subject themselves to its now-famous chilli challenge. “Jiangxi food was having a moment,” says Wang. “At Latang, our focus was... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3328790/chinese-bistros-gen-z-cant-stop-posting-about-have-arrived-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3328790/chinese-bistros-gen-z-cant-stop-posting-about-have-arrived-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Oct 2025 22:15:12 +0000 Gavin Yeung Gavin Yeung As news of restaurant closures has become commonplace in Hong Kong, it’s a refreshing change to hear of an establishment marking 130 years in business. That’s the enviable position of Central restaurant Ser Wong Fun, founded in 1895, in the town of Dali, in the Nanhai district of Guangdong province, and specialising in Cantonese snake soup, a dish popular during the colder months due to its warming benefits. Fourth-generation owner Gigi Ng Chui-po has spearheaded, if not a revival, then a... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3328529/snake-soup-restaurant-ser-wong-fun-marks-130-years-serving-iconic-hong-kong-dish?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3328529/snake-soup-restaurant-ser-wong-fun-marks-130-years-serving-iconic-hong-kong-dish?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Oct 2025 07:15:08 +0000 Gavin Yeung Gavin Yeung What do vintage Porsches and artisanal, small-batch sake have in common? More than you would think, insists Norihiro Tacamizuma, founder of secretive Tokyo sake bar Twelv, which is set to make its Hong Kong debut in a one-night-only pop-up at members’ club Carlyle & Co on October 22. “The technique to drive fast and make good sake is the same,” he explains. “It’s about connecting the details and focusing on technique. Whether it’s racing fast or pursuing a delicious, premium sake, the... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3328223/inside-tokyos-most-mysterious-sake-bar-twelv-debuting-hong-kong-carlyle-co?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3328223/inside-tokyos-most-mysterious-sake-bar-twelv-debuting-hong-kong-carlyle-co?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Oct 2025 11:00:09 +0000 Gavin Yeung Gavin Yeung Aera Led by chef Chevalier Yau and pastry chef Sheen Foh, this neo-Nordic fine-dining spot has moved from Wan Chai to a new and upgraded home in Sheung Wan. Aera champions hyperlocal ingredients in a tasting menu-only format served over a chef’s counter. Highlights include maltose-marinated local chicken and sakura ebi custard with smoky honey peas. Sommelier-picked wine or non-alcoholic pairings complete the experience. 30/F, Connaught Marina, 48 Connaught Road West, Sheung Wan NOC NOC, which... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3328225/new-openings-hong-kong-neo-nordic-fine-dining-60s-inspired-perfume-boutique?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3328225/new-openings-hong-kong-neo-nordic-fine-dining-60s-inspired-perfume-boutique?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Oct 2025 10:15:11 +0000