Mouthing Off | Asking for a Hong Kong restaurant recommendation is like giving dating advice to a stranger
- Hong Kong’s revolving door of dining options makes it impossible to answer the generic question, ‘Are there any good restaurants you would recommend?
- Andrew Sun argues that the extremely vague question is akin to a stranger asking you, ‘Who should I date?’
A question I often get asked, but never know how to answer, is, “Are there any good restaurants you would recommend?” Unless it’s a close friend whose taste and budget I am well acquainted with, I find it extremely difficult to offer such advice.
In Hong Kong, there are just way too many choices and options, and unknown variables such as the person’s preference and tastes, for me to confidently offer a suggestion. It’s akin to a stranger coming up and asking, “So, is there a person you think I should date?”
First of all, I would need to have an idea of your type and preference. Do you like Japanese, Chinese or Western? Do you have a taste for something refined and sophisticated, or are you looking for a cheap but satisfying night out? Just to be clear, I am now talking about food.
There are small noodle places I like for atmosphere, the cheap price and familiar flavours, but not everyone wants to go to Kowloon City or Jordan to sit in a fluorescent-lit dive.
So instead, I offer a couple of upscale French and Italian suggestions. “Oh, they’re too expensive,” is the response. By then, I just propose they go to Dan Ryan’s for a consistent and affordable burger. “No, I want to try someplace new.”
Because I’m a food journalist, people assume I eat at every restaurant in the city and get invited to all the new openings. That’s not quite true. We may occasionally get asked to restaurants but I am not seduced nightly by chefs who want to force-feed me their latest tasting menu.