Review | Turkish and Mediterranean food for less than US$12 at Oklava, new in Hong Kong
- Tiny restaurant serves up delicious grilled halal meats and Turkish and Mediterranean salads
- The simple, tasty food is good value for money and the staff are very friendly and helpful
Oklava is a new restaurant serving up Mediterranean and Turkish salads and halal grilled meats in Hong Kong’s Mid-Levels.
The small restaurant – just two tables and a row of bar seating by the window – has a blue and white exterior. A mix of EDM and pop tunes was playing as we arrived.
We ordered at the counter and the food was served quickly on brightly coloured trays.
First up was the baba ganoush (HK$45) and a yogurt drink (HK$20).
The famous Levantine appetiser made with mashed cooked aubergine, tahini and olive oil was creamy and well seasoned, the sprinkling of chilli flakes bringing just the right amount of tingle. The flatbread that came with it was warm and carried the baba ganoush perfectly. The yogurt drink tasted fresh and was light enough to go with our meal.
For mains, we ordered a falafel roll (HK$60) and a lamb shish rice plate (HK$90). We couldn’t settle on just one sauce, so the staff helpfully provided all three of the available sauces: tahini, tzatziki and harissa.
We were worried the rice plate would be too filling, but when it arrived we were happy to see a good ratio of rice to vegetables. The tahini was a bit strong for our tastes, but the tzatziki had a refreshing minty taste and the harissa was perfect for our spice loving palates.
The nicely seasoned lamb was just tender enough that it came apart when we bit into it, but not so soft that it disintegrated completely. The salad with lettuce, freshly grated carrots, cucumbers and a tomato slice had a light dressing of olive oil and lemon.
The falafel wrap was also well made. The falafel itself was crisp on the outside and the chickpeas were not ground too fine and provided a good texture.
Oklava, 63 Elgin Street, Central, tel: 9459 9292. Open: 11am-10pm (Friday and Saturday until 11pm)
While you’re in the area
