‘Best harbour views’: a Chinese-Japanese architect’s favourite eats in Hong Kong
Hong Kong-born Kenny Kinugasa-Tsui is a co-founder of the architecture and interior design studio Bean Buro. He spoke to Andrew Sun.I grew up between several cultures. My father is Chinese, my mother is Japanese, and I spent much time between Hong Kong, the UK and France. But our family meals today lean more towards Western than Asian.My wife and two children are gluten intolerant, so at home we cook a lot of Mediterranean-inspired food – grilled meats, vegetables, salads and gluten-free pasta. I enjoy food that feels honest and uncomplicated, where good ingredients speak for themselves.A favourite dining experience is seafood at Lei Yue Mun. I love the ritual of walking through the old fishing village, choosing live seafood and then having it freshly prepared. Gateway Cuisine (58A Hoi Pong Road Central, Lei Yue Mun. Tel: 2727 4628) is one of my favourite restaurants, but the experience is really about Lei Yue Mun itself. It offers a glimpse of Hong Kong’s fishing heritage and feels wonderfully authentic in a city that is constantly evolving.For a casual lunch, I often enjoy Tasty Congee & Noodle Wantun Shop (Shop 3016-3018, 3/F, IFC Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central. Tel: 2295 0101). A bowl of wonton noodles or congee is one of Hong Kong’s great comfort foods. The restaurant also has a personal connection: Bean Buro designed the flagship restaurant in Chengdu. It was one of our first food and drink clients.Wonton noodle bowl at Tasty Congee & Noodle Wantun Shop in Central. Photo: courtesy of Tasty Congee & Noodle Wantun ShopAnother favourite is Hana No Kumo (38/F, Summit 38, The Henderson, 2 Murray Road, Central. Tel: 9722 8688). I admire its understated atmosphere and refined Japanese dining. There is a strong sense of craftsmanship and attention to detail – qualities I admire both as a diner and designer. On the same floor is the plant-based bar Peridot, which I also like. It feels sophisticated without being too formal.
