New in Causeway Bay: Dong Lai Shun for northern Chinese cuisine
For fans of northern Chinese cuisine who find Dong Lai Shun in Tsim Sha Tsui East too much of a trek, there's good news - a branch has opened in Causeway Bay, and it has a harbour view.
Those who favour the aromatic flavours of northern Chinese dishes at in The Royal Garden but don't want to trek to Tsim Sha Tsui East can now visit a branch in Soundwill Plaza II - Midtown (tel: 2763 7038) in Causeway Bay - and this one has the advantage of having a harbour view.
The decor is similar to the original, with large circular lamps and a feature wall of red squares. The menu is similar, too. A starter of tea leaf-smoked duck egg (HK$40 per piece) was subtly smoky, while the crispy eel in honey (HK$148) was beautifully executed with a pleasing crunch. Stir-fried egg white with crabmeat (HK$148) was delicate.
This restaurant is known for its mutton dishes, so it was disappointing to find the "Inner Mongolia-style" roast lamb (HK$68 per skewer) was bland, and had the cumin powder on the side rather as part of the marinade, as is the usual practice up north.
Nevertheless, the pan-fried crispy noodles topped with mutton (HK$158, above) retained the meat's gamy flavour, which went well with the leeks and Chinese celery. A delicious dessert of deep-fried dumplings (HK$78 for three) turned out to be sesame balls filled with salted egg yolk.
Also in Causeway Bay is (tel: 2947 3866), where they say the pizzas are freshly baked in three minutes.