With the lowering of dinner dining restrictions in Hong Kong, it’s time to look at some of the newest culinary experiences the city has to offer. Here are some of our favourite new Hong Kong restaurants for August.
Has it seemed like a lifetime since you sat down to dine like an adult in a Hong Kong restaurant? It’s not actually been long since the Hong Kong government imposed new restrictions on dining in the city in an effort to curb the dreaded Covid-19 but in a city like Hong Kong, one that runs on its ceaselessly-grumbling stomach, even a week or two can seem like an eternity.
Fortunately, the people of Hong Kong have banded together and the number of new cases has dropped, allowing the government to tweak its restrictions enough to let dining extend beyond dusk and to entice a series of new eateries to fling open their doors. From great Southeast delights from one of Australia’s leading names in Asian cuisine, to contemporary takes on timeless Italian and barbecue dishes, there’s plenty of new dining experiences to enjoy this month, so we hope you’re hungry!
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Smoke & Barrel
Promising to dish up the smokey goodness of the American heartland, Smoke & Barrel is set to open on Wyndham Street in October. Brought to you by the talented chaps behind Kinship – chef-restaurateurs Chris Grare and Aaron Rhodes – Smoke & Barrel will feature lip-smacking, soul-soothing southern fare crafted by New Mexican head chef Christopher Tuthill. The chef will tap into his nine years in Texas, a place of pilgrimage for BBQ lovers, to create an Old School American barbecue joint using slow-and-low cooking techniques and an authentic wood-fired smoker.
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Chilli Fagara Meets Hot ‘N’ Meen
Hong Kong’s home of the heat, Chilli Fagara, will host a pop up of its Hot ‘N’ Meen delivery-only noodle concept at its Old Bailey Street venue. What does this meen you might ask? Well, traditionally, the Sichuan noodles of Hot ‘N’ Meen are usually only available to residents of a few Hong Kong Island neighbourhoods – namely Admiralty, Central Mid-Levels, Sheung Wan, and Si Ying Pun – but with the brick-and-mortar pop-up punters will be able to get their chilli on in person. There are 11 noodle dishes to choose from, ranging from the Rainbow Meen, and Dan Dan Meen with peanut; to the character-building Chilli Fish Soup Noodles.
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Aria
We introduced you to Hong Kong’s newest Italian restaurant earlier this week, but just as a reminder, you’ll head to the new California Tower pasta palace for the Mediterranean cuisine of chef Andrea Zamboni, an alumni of Otto e Mezzo Bombana, among others. The Bergamo-native promises authentic southern Italian cuisine laced with jet-fresh ingredients from the homeland. Perfect for a date night (there’s just something about Italian food that many women love), don’t leave Aria without trying the Amadei 70% Chuao Chocolate Fondant, or the signature Tiramisu and stick around as the space evolves into a lounge, complete with DJ.
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Monsoon
One of the most anticipated new openings for Hong Kong’s dining scene, Monsoon has arrived at Elements Mall as the city’s second concept by Australian celebrity chef Will Meyrick. Helmed by Indonesian chef Gede Budiana, Monsoon delivers innovative Southeast Asian dishes inspired by Meyrick’s extensive travels through the region and his restaurants in Bali, which include Sarong, Mama San, Billy Ho, and Hujan Locale in Ubud.
Catering to 100 guests, including eight in the private dining room, the vibrant new restaurant features comfortable banquette seating with rattan detailing, elegant vintage-esque floor tiles, and captivating floral wall tiles, setting the scene for dishes from across the Monsoon belt. Highlights like Cambodian steamed Salmon Amok with Thai basil, lemongrass, red curry, and betel leaf; and grilled Barramundi marinated with “jungle curry” and wrapped in banana leaf are best matched with the new 90-minute free-flow package (HK$1168), which includes red, white and sparkling wine, house spirits, special cocktails, and juices.
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Cobo House
Sai Ying Pun eatery Cobo House has opened new diggs at Tsim Sha Tsui’s K11 MUSEA, promising six- to eight-course revolving tasting menus from young chefs Devon Hou and Ray Choi as well as some pretty spectacular harbour views thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows. Featuring plenty of modern art pieces and eclectic interiors that intrigue without taking the focus off the cityscape beyond, Cobo House promises ‘a throughly modern east-meets-west approach to cuisine across its lunch and dinner menus, so expect plenty of imagination and discovery from the chefs, who cut their teeth at some of the city’s leading Michelin-starred kitchens, making this an ideal spot for date night.
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Sushi Haru
The newest opening by Black Sheep Restaurants, Sushi Haru at LKF Tower dishes up Edomae-style omakase sushi menus for a lucky eight souls per sitting, at lunch and dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Helmed by sushi shokunin Motoharu Inazuka, who started his sushi career at the relatively late age of 22, Sushi Haru promises a more down-to-earth yet still refined take on classic Edo sushi, with the focus on the freshest produce sourced from across Japan. Read more about the new sushi den here.
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Smoke & Barrels (with an “S”)
Not to be confusing, but another US smokehouse, this one with Barrels, plural, has opened in Central this month. Smoke & Barrels on Graham Street is the latest creation by the team behind Cupping Room and Doubleshot and offers a great grab-and-go option for sandwiches, smoked meat platters, and New Orleans-style drinks. Look out for the likes of the signature hot brisket bun with toasted brioche and tangy mustard; the smoked chicken avocado and gouda sandwich; and the brisket and ribs plater, an American classic.
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