Cocktails on the roof, Chinese dumplings and dim sum – where a Belgian loves to eat and drink in Hong Kong
- Marc Jolly, who works for a company selling a plant-based meat substitute, recommends Wang Fu for Chinese dumplings
- For evening drinks, he suggests finding a rooftop bar like Plume, a speakeasy like Penicillin, or exploring neighbourhood bars like Superhooman and Second Draft
Born in Belgium and raised in the US, Marc Jolly is the growth director for APAC & Middle East for Tindle, the plant-based chicken substitute, now offered at many restaurants in Hong Kong. He speaks to Andrew Sun.
I love to keep it casual in terms of dining. Just pop me at the bar counter of a good restaurant, then I’ll strike up a conversation with the person next to me. Hong Kong is full of characters and great conversations.
But in terms of food style, I do it all. I’ve been in Asia for 14 years and started my journey in Beijing, so I’m a sucker for northern-style Chinese dumplings. Here, I get them at Wang Fu (65 Wellington Street, Central, tel: 2121 8089).
I also enjoy Bentori (10 Tit Hong Lane, Central, tel: 2838 8865). I love their yakitori skewers on a grill any day. I also love that it’s hard to find in the middle of Central’s hustle and bustle.
Boy n Burger (208 Johnston, 206-212 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, tel: 3686 0928) is newly opened and a great place to get your burger fix. It tastes good and they’re also doing a lot on the sustainability end. The Mexican food and cocktails over at 8five2 (8 Observatory Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2618 8854) are also great.
You can’t come to Hong Kong without trying the dim sum, so Lin Heung Lau (160-164 Wellington Street, Central, tel: 2544 4556) is a must for any visitor for that local experience. Mott 32 (Basement, Standard Chartered Bank Building, 4-4A Des Voeux Road Central, Central, tel: 2885 8688) is another must do, for an elevated dim sum experience. The setting is awesome.