San Xi Lou 三希樓(滿江紅)
7/F, Coda Plaza, 51 Garden Road, Mid-Levels
Hong Kong, China(click for more San Xi Lou food photos)

Nothing excites my palate more than aromatic spicy flavors from fresh chilis that burn my lip. San Xi Lou delivers this roller coaster ride for my palate and a lot more.

Waiters are dressed in charming uniforms and the open space dining room allows me to peak at what signature dishes to order.

The spicy fish bathing in an pool of vibrant chili is a winner. Soft white fish pairs well with noodle that have been seeping with flavors from the chili bath.

Noodles served al dente in a orange red hue make the dan dan noodle a winner. For vegetable option, I like the crunch baby head stir fried in vinegar and chili.

I am addicted to this restaurant simple for the thrill. While sweet drips down my face along with my lips being numb from the chili rampage, my appetite just grows by the minute as I dine in this restaurant.

For diner’s who don’t like spicy, do not fret. There are items on the menu that are more tame.

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Under the Bridge Restaurant Spicy Crab
Shop B, G/F, 401-403 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai
Hong Kong (click for more Under the Bridge Restaurant)

Under the Bridge Restaurant Spicy Crab does not live up to all the hype. With a few restaurant outlets, Under the Bridge Spicy Crab specializes in chili spicy crab and even takes it an extra level by asking customer the level of spiciness.

A stellar dish is the fried pumpkin. A crispy batter pairs with a soft warm pumpkin meat makes this dish a winner.

The sea sweet razor clam paired with vermicelli bathing in sauce is another great dish.

With a lack luster decor and nominal service, the dishes do not live up to the hype.

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Lamb Dumpling at Dumpling Yuan in Wan Chai Hong Kong

Dumpling Yuan
c/f, 259 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai
Hong Kong
(click for Dumpling Yuan restaurant food photos)

As the owner chattered in loud Cantonese yelling over the phone, I blocked out his voice and enjoyed his lamb dumpling.

Tango to Wan Chai Hong Kong to enjoy some great home made dumpling at Dumpling Yuan.

The decor is noble to say the very least. Even the plates and tables appear to be from my aunt’s kitchen cabinet.

At center stage, the dumpling are the main stars. Also noted as Chinese raviolis, the dumplings are meant to be dunked slightly in vinegar and soy sauce for added flavor.

For meat lovers, the lamb dumpling is a winner. Chilled side dishes such as crunchy raw potatoes and bean curd are great compliments.

I enjoy visiting Yuan Dumpling since it is a local restaurant that provides flavor in both the ambiance and food.

Tim Ho Wan Prices Hong Kong

Tim Ho Wan
Shop 8, Taui Yuen Mansion Phase 2, 2-20 Kwong Wa Street, Mong Kok
Hong Kong

Wait time: 45 minutes
Hype: World’s Cheapest Michelin Starred Restaurant
Prices: 2 people, 10 dishes, $10 USD
Hint: avoid crow, weekdays 4-6pm
(Tim Ho Wan Dim Sum dishes)

On Sunday, Aussie friend Corina Leung and I went to Tim Ho Wan in Hong Kong known as the world’s cheapest Michelin starred restaurant. After waiting for an hour for Tim Ho Wan, we were so excited to have dim sum for dinner.

Playing center stage is the food at Tim Ho Wan. Luckily, we had our own table for two. Otherwise, be prepare to share a table with strangers at the community tables. With a sweet crust, the pineapple pork buns with savory bbq pork is a must order. The shrimp dumpling filled with plump see sweet shrimp is on point. All of the dim sum at Tim Ho Wan were executed well arriving piping hot.

I was disappointed at the black bean spare ribs which had more chipped bones rather than meat.

The full of dishes we ate can be food here: Dim Sum List.

The decor is simple as you can see from the video, so come here for the food. The open kitchen with towering steam racks made my appetite whet.

Noticeably, the dim sum servers were very polite and attentive. To avoid the crowd, try dining at Tim Ho Wan weekdays between 4-6pm.

Owner Chef Mak once worked at the well known kitchens of Lung King Heen at the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong. For budget dim sum well executed, Tim Ho Wan is a winner but be ready to wait in line.

Capital Cafe Club Sandwich

Capital Cafe
Shop B1 G/F Kwong Sang Hong Bldg 6 Heard Street Wan Chai
Hong Kong

Capital Cafe only serves a few trademark dishes, but they do it very well.
Diners usually order the fluffy eggs and ham or the macaroni soup.

Instead, I tried their club sandwich which hit all the right notes. With a slight crisp, the bread sets the tone while fluffy eggs pair so well with savory ham and cheese. Crispy sweet pickles round out the dish.

With black and white tiles, the decor is hip and retro. The restaurant is clean and is a clear testament that it is better to serve a few good dishes than to have a mile long menu that serve dish with mediocre execution.

Shanghai Cafe
(212) 966-3988
100 Mott St
New York, NY

New York Chinatown is a great place to look for budget eats.
Shanghai Café serves up great Shanghai crab dumplings.

With a clean and modest interior, this a great place to grab a group of friends and sample some Shanghai dishes.

Crab and pork meat bathes in savory soup filled in a tender pasta pouch.

For about $5, chicken noodle is a great dish. Vibrant great veggies cooked with garlic is a great dish as well.

Finish the meal with sweet red bean cake which is a comfort food favorite.

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Mayflower Seafood Restaurant
(415) 387-8338
6255 Geary Boulevard
San Francisco, CA

Mayflower dim sum serves great budget dim sum that matches the quality in Hong Kong. There large selection is what separates them from nominal dim sum houses.

Served piping hot, their shrimp dumpling features translucent skin and sea sweet shrimp.

Another great order is their fried doughnut wrapped in rice noodle. A great dunk into the seasame and “hoisen” sauce makes it a flavor kicker.

For dessert, try their chewy mochi balls filled with sesame paste. The interior lacks design and charm, so focus your eyes and palate on their dim sum “litttle delights.”

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Little Sheep Hot Pot
2/F Causeway Bay Plaza Lockhart Road Causeway Bay
Hong Kong

I love eating Little Sheep Hot Pot in San Mateo San Francisco. Read Little Sheep Mongolian: comfort food hot pot in San Mateo.

My first visit to Little Sheep Hot Pot in Hong Kong did not disappoint. One dish I truly enjoy were fried fish skins which shattered in one slight bite.

In the realm of Chinese food, soup is more than just a dish. Soup is known to heal and rejuvenate the body. The house soup features ingredients known in Chinese medicine to have great health effects. Red dates, nutmeg, and ginger known to soothe not just the body, but excites the palate. Nutmeg stirs ups sweet tones while garlic and ginger provides spice.

With the hot pot divided into two sections, the “half and “half” soup option allowed me to contrast the full bodied house broth with the house spicy soup.

Other notables were sea-sweat clam served on the half shell.

On a rainy day, hot pot is the comfort food of choice.

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Cafe de Coral
G/F & Basement, Capital Centre No. 5-19, Jardine’s Bazaar & Jardine’s Crescent, Causeway Bay
Hong Kong

In Chinese, it is polite to ask “have you eaten rice yet?”

Thus, rice is a key staple in the Chinese diet. Not surprisingly, most meals that are localized serve rice in their menus especially at fast food restaurant such as Cafe de Coral.

Cafe de Coral is Hong Kong restaurant fast food chain that serves good food. For just about $5 USD, a diner can have a complete meal. Featured above are sweet and sour pork, rice, soup, and cold lemon ice tea.

The sweet and sour pork has a crispy texture along with fluffy rice. Their house soup has been brewed with herbs and pork bones.

A refreshing sweet cold lemon ice tea rounds out the meal.

I like Cafe de Coral not only for their pricing but also because they keep their restaurant outlets clean.

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Nanxiang steamed bun restaurant
Shops 305-8, 3/F Causeway Bay Plaza 1, Causeway Bay
Hong Kong

Anytime a flood of locals is lining up for a restaurant, it is a good sign of great times to come. After half an hour of waiting, we finally got seated.

The dark interior was charming and elaborate menu whet my palate.

Winning dishes included daikon pastry coated with sesame.

Although more a novelty dish, the soup dumpling was simply fun. Caution, hot! Slurping through the big tube straw, a vibrant soup arrives at your palate but thats about it.

With a slightly crispy layer, the red bean cake with nutty notes is a great dessert choice.

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Tasty Congee & Noodle Wantun Shop
International Finance Center,1 Harbour View St, Central
Hong Kong

IFC (International Finance Center) is a yuppie place to eat casual Chinese food such as porridge but the interior is charming making it a great place to bring clients.

A thin layer of rice noodle wrapper around a fried doughnut makes up this wonderful dish. The Chinese tamale is a great choice as the comfort dish. Beans and a slab slab of pork fat provides ample flavor for the tamale.

Served with golden yellow noodle cooked al dente, the won ton noodle is also a solid choice. The congee however was not a stand out.

Be prepared to pay a mark up for dining at IFC.

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Satay King
9/F, Causeway Bay Plaza 1, 489 Lockhart Road, Causeway Bay
Hong Kong

Satay King is a fun restaurant.
I never understood the pirate theme fully but the main focus is their comfort dishes.

Start with their pork chop white curry highlighting a creamy texture served over pillowy rice. Their pork chop is slightly breaded and well seasoned.

But my favorite dish is their Satay noodles featuring clear noodles that seep and simply bathe in their curry sauce. The dish is very filling and well seasoned.

At every table, a contraption helps diners get a hold of the wait staff with a simple push of the button.

The ambiance is rather loud so come here for a casual meal but not for a date.

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Tanyoto serves great Chinese food. My favorite includes their spicy tofu dish. Arriving like hot lava, fresh chili highlights the dish.

The flavor profile marries spices creating an inviting spicy flavor.

Another great dish is their spicy beef served at room temperature bathing in chili oil. The charming interior and large selection makes this restaurant a winner.

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Empire Food Shopis a restaurant chain that serves great casual Chinese food fare at great prices.

Thin rice noodle wrapped around a crispy fried doughnut pairs well with chili and hoisen sauce. Soy sauce noodles cooked al dente display nutty notes from cooked soy sauce.

A glass of soy milk feature nutty notes rounds out the meal.

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Campusfork.com is an easy way to upload and share restaurant food photos.

As soon as I had one bite, I knew. After all, I had been a published food writer in San Francisco and have tasted countless dishes, but this one was different.

The inviting savory tones from the salted egg cleverly paired well with butterflied fried shrimp. The taste appears to reach unami, the ultimate taste note.

I immediately wanted to grab the entire dish and have it all to myself, but of course that would be rude.

Aside from the salted egg fried shrimp, Peking Garden serves other outstanding dishes such as vegetarian goose feature thin layers of bean curb warped in vegetable medley.

Peking Garden has a charming interior with attentive service. A great spot for family dinners.

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Don’t let the corny name fool you, Super Star Seafood delivers quality Chinese food. We ordered the banquet sea meal. Putting on the plastic bibs, I happily devoured sea sweet crab legs.

The crispy crackling skin with a thin layer of fat for flavor made the suckling pig an outstanding dish. Demonstrating culinary skills, a thin layer of fried egg wrapped inside a stir fry made a great dish.

The interior is more gala type characterized with bright chandeliers and the attentive service made a great meal.

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Hay Hay is known to served popular Hong Kong deli items. Their deli displays fresh hanging chicken, duck, and bbq pork.

Served over a pilllowy mound of rice, the bbq pork glazed with sweet notes. I like to order my bbq pork with half fat half lean since the fat adds so much flavor to the tender meat.

Hay Hay has a clean interiors and also serves a range of Chinese food other than BBQ items.

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