Japanese, Korean, Chinese: a guitarist-restaurateur’s top Hong Kong eats
Joey Pui is part of the third generation of his family to operate Pak Loh Chiu Chow Restaurant. He is also the guitarist of the Hong Kong rock group Zarahn. He spoke to Andrew Sun.I grew up in a traditional Hong Kong Chiu Chow family. Most of our meals revolved around chopstick culture. When I was little, I would have Chiu Chow white congee for breakfast every morning with my grandparents, accompanied by simple dishes like cold fish or stir-fried salted pork.When eating out for lunch, I like a Japanese teppanyaki restaurant called Minato (Shop G4-G6, Great Eagle Centre, 23 Harbour Road, Wan Chai. Tel: 2345 0663). The environment is excellent. It is very spacious with high ceilings, which makes it especially comfortable. The lunch prices are very reasonable, making it a great choice for business meetings and gatherings.Another lunch spot I enjoy is Hansik Goo (1/F, The Wellington, 198 Wellington Street, Central. Tel: 2798 8768) for refined Korean food, with delicate flavours beautifully presented.The signature Hanwoo Duo at Hansik Goo. The dish showcases two premium cuts of Hanwoo beef. Photo: Hansik GooFor a late-night snack, I like the Hong Kong-style bar Ares (11 Lau Li Street, Tin Hau. Tel: 3568 7006). It serves bar food, and I recommend the teppanyaki beef tenderloin and the prawn spaghetti. Both are delicious and very reasonably priced.In the Causeway Bay area, other than our original Pak Loh Chiu Chow restaurant on Hysan Avenue, I really enjoy Forum Restaurant (1/F, Sino Plaza, 255-257 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay. Tel: 2869 8282). It is so famous for abalone that I do not think this place needs much explanation. Every time I go, there are a few dishes I must order, including the Ah Yat fried rice, the sweet and sour pork with dried tangerine peel, and the crispy roast chicken.
