MSG in Hong Kong?
Apr 16th, 2015, 07:24 PM
#21
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Kathie, LKH was yummy indeed. But the atmosphere was somewhat staid for our group. We also ate at Yan Toh Heen in our hotel (the Intercontinental in Kowloon), which has 2 Michelin stars, a cooler vibe and slightly more inventive food. I believe it's also MSG free. If we returned, I would probably go back to YTH rather than to LKH. (Not certain the Michelin star system works for Chinese food.) We also went to two classic amazing teahouses for dim sum (Luk Yu and Chi Lin Nunnery), but I can't comment on the MSG situation.
I too wouldn't normally eat Japanese in HK, especially because we have it so often at home. But one night when Mr. C was working, I couldn't resist trying Nobu, also in our hotel. I went early, sat at the sushi bar and ordered just a few faves with the idea of comparing it to the Nobu in Malibu. Turned out that I was served by Nobu Matsuhisa himself! And, not surprisingly, the sushi was superior in HK.
I too wouldn't normally eat Japanese in HK, especially because we have it so often at home. But one night when Mr. C was working, I couldn't resist trying Nobu, also in our hotel. I went early, sat at the sushi bar and ordered just a few faves with the idea of comparing it to the Nobu in Malibu. Turned out that I was served by Nobu Matsuhisa himself! And, not surprisingly, the sushi was superior in HK.
Apr 17th, 2015, 06:24 AM
#22
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Thanks for the info, crosscheck.
I remember when I was in Hong Kong many years ago, the IC had brought in a 3 star Michelin chef to preside over one of their restaurants for a few weeks. As I remember the food was Italian... and very good.
I remember when I was in Hong Kong many years ago, the IC had brought in a 3 star Michelin chef to preside over one of their restaurants for a few weeks. As I remember the food was Italian... and very good.
Apr 17th, 2015, 07:18 AM
#23
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Thank you crosscheck. Yan Toh Heen is very close to our hotel, so we will give it a try. How expensive are these Michelin starred places in HK?
Any other tips for the area? I have never been to China so am starting from a very low level of knowledge.
Any other tips for the area? I have never been to China so am starting from a very low level of knowledge.
Apr 17th, 2015, 07:41 AM
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Hi tarquin,
We didn't have to worry too much about restaurant cost because Mr. Crosscheck had a nice per diem
We also skipped most lunches because the breakfasts were insanely large - like attending a wedding every morning. If you're in the neighborhood, treat yourself to the Chinese/western Intercontinental spread one morning...I usually had the dim sum, but the baked goods were the best of our trip.
Our meal at Yan Toh Heen was very reasonable because we split two dishes and one appetizer - I think about $75 US for two. LKH was about $85 US pp, but it was a true banquet and we were with some drinkers. We did not get the tasting menu. The sushi at Nobu was exactly the same price as here in LA.
Here are my other recs in HK - I see that you found my list on another thread. But I'll post it in case anyone else is lurking.
- Chi LIn Nunnery, Nan Lian gardens and tea house.
- Man Mo temple
- Luk Yu teahouse for dim sum
- ferry rides
- Big Buddha (we didn't get there, but colleagues went hiking there and loved it)
- Went to an event at the Peninsula - lovely and worth seeing
- Boba (bubble tea) in the Victoria Peak mall
- The 8:00 light show from the Kowloon side. You can have a drink in the Intercontinental bar and watch it crowd free.
- The night market sells junk, but it was fun to be outside in the warm night
- Check out events at the Cultural Centre - world class performances
We didn't have to worry too much about restaurant cost because Mr. Crosscheck had a nice per diem
We also skipped most lunches because the breakfasts were insanely large - like attending a wedding every morning. If you're in the neighborhood, treat yourself to the Chinese/western Intercontinental spread one morning...I usually had the dim sum, but the baked goods were the best of our trip.Our meal at Yan Toh Heen was very reasonable because we split two dishes and one appetizer - I think about $75 US for two. LKH was about $85 US pp, but it was a true banquet and we were with some drinkers. We did not get the tasting menu. The sushi at Nobu was exactly the same price as here in LA.
Here are my other recs in HK - I see that you found my list on another thread. But I'll post it in case anyone else is lurking.
- Chi LIn Nunnery, Nan Lian gardens and tea house.
- Man Mo temple
- Luk Yu teahouse for dim sum
- ferry rides
- Big Buddha (we didn't get there, but colleagues went hiking there and loved it)
- Went to an event at the Peninsula - lovely and worth seeing
- Boba (bubble tea) in the Victoria Peak mall
- The 8:00 light show from the Kowloon side. You can have a drink in the Intercontinental bar and watch it crowd free.
- The night market sells junk, but it was fun to be outside in the warm night
- Check out events at the Cultural Centre - world class performances
Apr 19th, 2015, 08:23 PM
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Hello Tarquin,
You asked about sightseeing in Hong Kong, so I suggest going to a couple of islands. These can easily be accomplished by ferry from Hong Kong, and are day trips.
We REALLY enjoyed Cheung Chau island. It's a very short ferry ride from Hong Kong, and it is so very quaint, with shops, a tiny temple, walking paths, and some fabulous seafood restaurants (none of the food was soupy--so you may be ok about the MSG).
We also enjoyed a day trip to Macau, actually some of our family did, and others did not. There is fascinating architecture there from the Portuguese, and you can talk a nice walking tour around, or you can hire a taxi to take you. One of my sons enjoyed it, and the other said, "if I wanted to see Europe, I would have gone there, and not China." I personally found it fascinating.
You asked about sightseeing in Hong Kong, so I suggest going to a couple of islands. These can easily be accomplished by ferry from Hong Kong, and are day trips.
We REALLY enjoyed Cheung Chau island. It's a very short ferry ride from Hong Kong, and it is so very quaint, with shops, a tiny temple, walking paths, and some fabulous seafood restaurants (none of the food was soupy--so you may be ok about the MSG).
We also enjoyed a day trip to Macau, actually some of our family did, and others did not. There is fascinating architecture there from the Portuguese, and you can talk a nice walking tour around, or you can hire a taxi to take you. One of my sons enjoyed it, and the other said, "if I wanted to see Europe, I would have gone there, and not China." I personally found it fascinating.
Apr 20th, 2015, 08:49 AM
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One of our favorite meals when we were in Hong Kong was actually during our day trip to Macau. Fernando's on one of outer islands of Macau was excellent... and as it is Portuguese no worry about msg. There are some lovely old historic parts of the island and even some pretty beaches. Of course, there are the casinos on steroids, but you can pretty much ignore them.
