Link Kee Hot Pot
Causeway Bay Hong Kong

(our food order)

Despite a hot day, my local Hong Kong friend Ambrose showed me around the local eateries.
With a grin, he reminded me to eat what the locals eat.

While drifting around the streets, we were seduced into hot pot with when a restaurant promoter lured us with his pitch.

Basically, $20 bucks for all you can eat hot pot.
The caveat, a mere two hours eating along gluttony road.

Hip hopping through the doors, a slender Asian lady dressed in San Miguel beer approached us.
“No beer for me tonight, thanks.”

(Salmon Skin, crispy)

Round wooden tables, and undressed interior, resulted in a lack luster ambiance.

We were here for the hot pot. Ordering a “Yin Yan” (mixed) soup base, my mouth started to water. Part pork bone, part super spicy (made from deadly pepper corns). The pork bone soup lacked a savory milky consistency, while the pepper corn heightened the senses. One sip, the spicy soup shook my senses.

A fleet or better yet, an army of plates arrived.

Beef, marbled beef, ostrich, bean curd, spinach, and my favorite fried salmon skin – just to name a few, arrived.

The food was nominal, since the soup base was under flavored. But the ambiance, surrounded by locals tossing Hong Kong slangs just made the ambiance, somewhat charming.

The service was below par. When we asked for a second round of beef, a faceless zombie like waitress just simple killed our previous vibrant mood.
No, hospitality courses were not offered.

(beer girls)

The restaurant appears to be run by a bunch of friends, who just want to get something started. While eating hot pot and glancing at the television screen, I enjoyed catching up with my old friend. Sure, the food was below par, but heck, it was an experience. Hot pot is more than just about cooking food, it is about gathering together and sharing food.