Hong Kong’s newest culinary delights to try in May: From Japanese hamburgers to authentic banh mi

2 years ago 277

3rd May 2024 – (Hong Kong) From the latest buzz-worthy breakfast spots to the ultimate brunch destinations and the most exquisite afternoon tea experiences, we know exactly what’s hot in the Hong Kong dining scene. So, let’s dive into the May 2024 edition of the best new restaurants in Hong Kong.

For those who want to reminisce about last year’s openings, we have a comprehensive list of the best new restaurants in May that will surely satisfy your cravings.

Lips Cocktails & Theatre

Indulge in a captivating multi-sensory experience at Lips Cocktails & Theatre, located in the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. This enchanting venue combines a stylish cocktail bar with an urban theatre concept, providing the perfect setting for intimate dates and late-night soirees. As you enter, you’ll be greeted by a main stage, plush seating, velvet carpets, curtains, and atmospheric lighting that sets the mood for an unforgettable evening. Prepare to be enthralled by the ever-changing live entertainment, featuring stand-up comedians, singers, live bands, DJs, and more. During our visit, we were mesmerized by stage magicians Matt and Vincent Jim, who showcased mind-boggling tricks. Equally impressive is the cocktail program, crafted by renowned mixologist Max Traverse. Each libation is interactive and comes with its own action or story. Be sure to try the “Catch Me If You Can” cocktail and catch the bubble in your glass to earn the drink, all while capturing the magical moment with your camera!

Address: Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

Telephone: +852 – 9532 0300 (Whatsapp)

Sukiyaki Nakagawa

Sukiyaki Nakagawa, a new haven for sukiyaki lovers, brings an authentic and flavorful Japanese gastronomic experience to Hong Kong. Located in Causeway Bay, this establishment pays homage to the origins of Kansai-style sukiyaki hot pot. Step inside and immerse yourself in the lively yet elegant atmosphere as you witness the culinary team in action behind the wooden bar counter. Chef Kazuyaki Itagaki, making his debut in Hong Kong, has meticulously crafted multi-course omakase-style menus that showcase three rare premium wagyu varieties: the internationally acclaimed Matsusaka wagyu, Oita wagyu from the Oita Prefecture, and Jinnai Wagyu Aka from Hokkaido. Whether you opt for the five or nine-course lunch or dinner menus, you’ll be treated to seasonal appetizers, sashimi selections, and creative highlights such as the Goose Liver Sukiyaki on Soy Milk and Egg Toast, and the Akita Cold Inaniwa Udon in Lime Dashi. The attention to detail, from the choice of Yumepirika rice to the artisanal cooking vessels, is truly impressive, ensuring an exceptional dining experience.

Address: Shop B, 3/F, Cubus, 1 Hoi Ping Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.

Telephone: +852 – 5394 3688

Big Pink

Big Pink, an authentic American-style barbecue restaurant located in Sheung Wan’s Tai Ping Shan Street, promises a feast for meat lovers. The menu features a variety of BBQ meats, brined and smoked in-house, such as juicy sliced brisket platters and tender smoked ribs drenched in homemade barbecue sauce. For those who want to try a bit of everything, the barbeque platter offers a portion of brisket, ribs, and turkey. Complement your smoked meats with classic American sides like savoury Brussels sprouts, honey butter corn ribs, or potato salad. To complete the experience, indulge in their highball cocktails and refreshing draught beers.

Address:
32 Tai Ping Shan Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

Hikiniku to Come

Hikiniku to Come, the popular Japanese hamburger steak restaurant, is opening its first location in Hong Kong. This much-anticipated eatery stands out with its fresh beef patties, which are minced and shaped on-site before being grilled over charcoal. What makes Hikiniku to Come truly special is its straightforward menu, featuring a set meal with three 90g beef patties, a bowl of rice, and miso soup. This simple yet delicious offering consistently draws large crowds of diners. To secure a table at Hikiniku to Come, diners must participate in the restaurant’s ticket-based reservation system, similar to its locations across Japan. It’s advisable to check the restaurant’s Instagram beforehand to see if tickets have sold out for the day.

Address:
Shop 4011, Podium Level 4, ifc mall, Hong Kong

Here Thai Market

Renowned chef Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn, known for his fine dining establishments like Le Du and Nusara, has joined forces with chef Man Wai Yin at Here Thai Market in New Town Plaza. This affordable Thai restaurant showcases the best of both chefs’ specialties. Diners can indulge in dishes such as chef Man’s Thai-style pork knuckle rice and chef Ton’s flavorful boat noodles. The menu also features a wide selection of authentic Thai dishes, including charcoal-grilled skewers and the ever-popular tom yum kung.

Address:
Shop A216, 2/F, Phase III, New Town Plaza, 18 Sha Tin Centre Street, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
Telephone: +852 – 3108 2197

Sonny’s Pizza

Hailing from Singapore, Sonny’s Pizza has opened its first overseas location on Elgin Street in Hong Kong. Operating as a takeaway shop, customers can enjoy delicious pizzas by the slice (starting from $45) or opt for whole 12-inch ($158) or 16-inch pizzas (starting from $280). In addition to classic pizza toppings such as cheese or pepperoni, Sonny’s offers signature special flavors like Steak n’ Cheese with bechamel sauce and sliced steak, or Kowloon Kid topped with lap cheong cured sausage and bacon. For those seeking more than just pizza, Sonny’s also serves beef hotdogs generously garnished with homemade chili, pickled peppers, or even okonomiyaki sauce. And don’t forget to end your meal on a sweet note with a cone ($25) or cup ($35) of their delectable soft-serve ice cream.

Address:
1 Elgin Street, Central, Hong Kong

The Mistral

The InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong has given its Italian restaurant a new look and a stunning view. Now called The Mistral, the restaurant offers a semi-lunch buffet, a seasonal evening à la carte menu, and a delightful Sunday brunch. Led by chef Fabio Guaglione, the culinary team presents a menu that combines timeless classics with creative modern twists. Must-try dishes this season include black ink taglierini with Mazara Del Vallo red prawns and multicoloured tortelli with blue Boston lobster and Osietra caviar. Enhance your dining experience with a wide selection of Italian wines and indulge in Grappa and Amaro served tableside from the trolley.

Address:
1/F, InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong, 70 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Hong Kong

Telephone: +852 – 2731 2870

CaN LaH
Get ready to tantalise your taste buds at CaN LaH, a contemporary eatery celebrated for its innovative take on Singaporean and Malaysian cuisine. To celebrate the reopening of its IFC Mall branch, CaN LaH has launched a special Happy Hour promotion, available daily from 3 to 8pm. Relax on the al fresco terrace, savouring a refreshing beverage while enjoying the breathtaking views of Victoria Harbour. Pair your drink with location-exclusive snacks like salted egg crispy fish skin and spicy shrimp rolls. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore CaN LaH’s brand new seafood menu, featuring delectable dishes such as Baked Seremban Crab, Deep-fried Prawn Balls with Passion Fruit Salad Dressing, and Kuala Lumpur Hokkien Noodles.

Address: Shop 3075, 3/F, IFC Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong.

Telephone: +852 – 2802 9788

Pho Bay

Located at Discovery Bay Plaza, Pho Bay is a brand-new Vietnamese eatery helmed by chef Chaliang Phaenthong. With three decades of experience in Vietnamese and Thai cuisine, Chef Chaliang presents a menu filled with authentic Vietnamese dishes. Diners can savour piping hot bowls of pho, banh mi, and goi cuon spring rolls, among other delicacies.

Address:
Shop G08B DB Plaza, 1 Discovery Bay Road, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Telephone: +852 – 3619 0932

Lin Heung Tea House

A beloved institution in Hong Kong, Lin Heung Tea House (also known as Lin Heung Lau) has officially reopened its doors. This traditional Cantonese restaurant serves dim sum during the day and main courses at night. Guests can experience the charm of bamboo steamers filled with delectable dim sum offerings served from old-school trolleys. In addition to the classic dim sum experience, hand-shaken drinks are now available, adding a touch of modernity to this iconic establishment.

Address:
160 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong

Xiao Noodles

Popular Mainland China noodle restaurant Xiao Noodles has made its way across the border and opened its doors in Whampoa. For those who relish the heat of spicy food, Xiao Noodles offers fragrant and tongue-numbing flavors of Chongqing cuisine through signature dishes like red bowl noodles topped with peas, hot and spicy wonton soup, hot and sour potato noodles, and a variety of mao cai (spicy meat and vegetable stew). If you prefer milder options, fear not, as Xiao Noodles’ menu also features a range of non-spicy dishes that are equally flavorful and satisfying.

Address:
G9, Amazing World, 121 Baker Street, Hung Hom, Hong Kong

Wagyu Kappo Oda

Formerly known as Ushidoki, Wagyu Kappo Oda has reopened with a focus on premium A4-grade Odagyu beef from Kagoshima Prefecture. Situated around an open kitchen, the restaurant allows guests to witness executive chef Tomiya Yu’s meticulous preparation of each dish. Wagyu Kappo Oda offers lunch and dinner omakase sets, showcasing the best of Odagyu, including roast beef carpaccio, Wagyu sushi, grilled ribeye steak, and smoked Wagyu tartare.

Address:
Shop 2B, 1/F, Manning House, 38-48 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong

Banh Mi Nem

Banh Mi Nem is a newly opened banh mi takeaway store in Wan Chai, led by Vietnam-native store owner, Kiki Phung. Each day, the store imports ingredients like pâté, cold cuts, marinated pork skewers, and pork floss from Vietnam to create authentic banh mi sandwiches. Kiki learned the art of making banh mi from Ho Chi Minh’s most popular baguette store and brought the recipe back to Hong Kong, where fresh baguettes are baked daily. Banh Mi Nem offers a variety of fillings, including assorted cold cuts with pork floss and pâté, stewed pork belly, minced pork skewers, grilled chicken thigh with chicken floss and chicken liver pâté, as well as braised tofu. Additionally, the takeaway joint serves cold vermicelli bowls with toppings like fried spring rolls or pork jowl, along with Vietnamese-style coffee.

Address:
G/F, 247-249 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Telephone: +852-9899 1247

Potion House

Potion House, a Taiwanese bubble tea shop, is preparing to open a new location in Central’s dynamic food hall, BaseHall. This innovative spot offers a unique concept, transforming from a bubble tea shop during the day into a stylish cocktail bar in the evening. Customers can customize their beverages by ordering from the store’s tea-tail infusion experience menu. Stay tuned for the grand opening of Potion House at BaseHall this May.

Address:
LG/F, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong

Nikusa

Discover the ultimate indulgence of Japanese shabu shabu hotpots at Nikusa in Causeway Bay. Begin your culinary journey by selecting your desired broth from options like tomato, dashi broth, or Kanto-style sukiyaki. Then, choose from five dining courses categorized based on the quality of produce served and the length of dining time. Diners opting for Level 1 to 3 courses have 90 minutes to savor hotpot add-ins such as US Angus beef, Japanese pork belly, and New Zealand lamb. Alternatively, those selecting Level 4 and 5 menus can enjoy a leisurely 180-minute dining experience while relishing supreme Yamagata Zao Wagyu, premium seafood, and the add-ins available in the first three courses. Additionally, Nikusa offers all-you-can-eat portions of sushi and sashimi for customers ordering Level 3 courses and above. Indulge your sweet tooth with delights such as crème brûlée, matcha pudding, and warabi mochi. Diners who opt for Level 4 or 5 courses can also savor unlimited portions of made-to-order Japanese soufflé pancakes.

Address:
8/F Soundwill Plaza II-Midtown, 1-29 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Telephone: +852 – 3996 9844