Rubin Verebes is the managing editor of Foodie and is very opinionated. Transforming his hobby of eating and drinking into a career, he shares his account of Hong Kong’s F&B scene and the worldwide state of dining in Rubin’s Take, a monthly opinion column.
Since my return to Hong Kong in September 2021 from overseas travels and work, I have kept a meticulous (and slightly worrying) record of every single restaurant that I have consumed food at here. Why? I want to become a human encyclopaedia for my friends when queried on where to eat in Hong Kong.
After all, I cannot remember every place I have been to, thus, I rely on a nifty spreadsheet I have crafted to handle all questions regarding peoples’ searches on where to fix a craving they have.
Now, I wanted to deliver my specific Rubin-approved recommendations to you, because, sometimes, dining experiences do not fit into a cookie-cutter situation.
My recommendations after eating at 800 restaurants in Hong Kong
The best restaurant experience you can have in Hong Kong? Roganic, showcasing supreme-quality ingredients, with a tasting menu that impresses with its complexity.
Where have you tried to gatekeep for so long but have now given up? Islamic Centre Canteen, where non-pork dim sum dishes and Cantonese plates meet Indian-Pakistani spice.
A restaurant you would travel back to just for their salivatory menu? Chinese Legend, an eclectic Yuen Long restaurant that hosts an amplified dim sum menu.
The alternative spot when plans get cancelled and you need comfort food? Chicken Factory, a genuine hidden gem serving up the most succulent chicken here.
Which place do you head to if you don’t care about heading into a food coma afterwards? The Belly Boys, a spot that cooks their smash burgers with a great salty touch and a perfect tangy burger sauce.
Where to go if you’re feeling more hungover than usual and require a heavy splash of salt and spice? Anjappar, where the North and South Indian dishes are loaded with heat and umami.
Where would you head to again that’s far enough to warrant a trip and tell others you’ve had this experience? Shatin Inn Restaurant, a remote Indonesian restaurant located at the foothills of Tai Mo Shan serving peanutty goodness.
Somewhere you head to for a dai pai dong experience sans the aloof service, oily plates, and questionable wet floor? Chorland, offering a large menu with MSG-loaded, addictive stir-fry dishes.
A place you routinely visit with friends to watch them suffer over the levels of spice and strength of traditional plates? Manakamana, a delicious Nepali restaurant in Jordan that doesn’t skimp on the portions.
A specific dining experience near the airport when you’re starving before a flight but you don’t enjoy the plain lounge food? Thai Chiu, a fiery Thai food-court option located at Citygate in Tung Chung that respects authentic recipes.
You’re looking for a specific torture on the senses and, after a period lacking hot food, you have a sudden craving for crushing spice? Liao Za Lie, a semi-hidden Shanxi restaurant in Causeway Bay that will torment your taste buds.
Where do you remind yourself to book weeks prior in order to enjoy a restaurant lauded for its hype but that also impresses you to no end with its creativity? CHAAT, because the chef team will challenge your perceptions of how complex Indian cuisine can be.
Somewhere you go when you want to impress your parents on their return to Hong Kong to visit you and inspect your mental health, job security, and love life? Hutong, with views like these, you’ll manage to make your parents happy with your stability.
When you’re searching for that perfect place to weep at the back of the restaurant after going through a break-up and are in need of serotonin-boosting food to lift the spirits? Ivan the Kozak, delivering hearty plates of Ukrainian meat, potatoes, and dumplings to drown your sorrows in food.
Where to go when you’ve had a stressful day and require something to fill your stomach but you can’t be bothered ordering a dinner resembling a balanced meal, so you go here instead? Sweet Home, offering dessert bowls loaded with fruits, sesame, coconut etc., and the staff won’t judge you if you’re eating sugar for dinner.
You’re feeling extra cheeky and want to head out early to beat the lunch rush to nosh on some sugary and salty treats paired with milk tea but price and time are a priority, so you’re lost? Shui Kee Coffee, where the saltiest of meat buns and sugariest French toast can be found.
That restaurant where you know you may regret dining at owing to the humongous portions, but you want what Americans inject inside themselves on a weekly basis and no one’s stopping you? The Cheesecake Factory, packing a menu with over 200 plates to satiate those insane cravings.
Somewhere you didn’t know existed before, and saw briefly on Instagram being promoted by some foodies, but now you’re desperate to savour the flavours, which are practically unmatched in Hong Kong? Florence Trippa, with tangy pizza and a buttery tripe sandwich will make you cry with joy.
Where you found serendipitously on a random weekday night that should now become a repeat spot, because it’s well-hidden from copycat foodies and their menu dazzles with the most authentic flavours? Kampoeng Chandra, sharing an Indonesian menu transported from Bali straight to Hong Kong.
A place that you must dine at to kick-start the beginning of your amateur foodie career in Hong Kong, where you can now boast to everyone that you’ve been and ticked off at least one of the go-to spots marked in all the guides? Yardbird, where you have to take a picture of your food, because Instagram needs to know.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author’s and do not represent or reflect the views of Foodie.
