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Mischa Moselle

Bernice Chan

SPAIN
	Quemo
	Barcelona is obsessed with soccer, and so too is chef El Quim, who inspired this Wan Chai venue. The menu revolves around traditional items such as jamon, paella and barbecue. The large terrace is an excellent spot, weather permitting, to sip sangria or cava and other Spanish tipples.
	5/F QRE Plaza, 202 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, tel: 2836 0699
 
FRANCE
	La Cabane

In a part of town that could be renamed Rues 'Ollywood et Wyndham, this wine bar offers a very French experience. Push past the smokers at the door to grab a seat inside and get some help selecting wine from a long, regularly changing list of natural and organic vintages. The wines are a good match for the slates of charcuterie, cheese and other traditional bistro dishes.
	62 Hollywood Road, Central, tel: 2776 6070
 
GERMANY
	King Ludwig Beerhall (Wan Chai branch)

It's hard to tell Hong Kong's German bars apart with their mostly similar slowly poured beer, shots of schnapps and heavy menus. This particular venue stands out for a couple of reasons - it's big enough to generate a good atmosphere and it serves a great pork knuckle with sauerkraut. As with the sausage samplers, this dish is big enough to share - if you can bear to.
	Shop 2, 2/F Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, tel: 2861 0737
 
BELGIUM
	De België

Belgium's cuisine is as little known and underappreciated as its beers are famous. This typical Belgian venue offers the classic moules frites and variations on beef stewed in beer, as well as a fine seafood waterzooi, or stew. But it's probably the 100 types of beer on offer that brings in the crowds. Belgium's monk-brewed beer is famous for its strength and range of colours and flavours. It also includes fruits such as raspberry and strawberry. De België also stocks banana, coconut and mango beers for the more adventurous.
	21 Elgin Street, Central, tel: 2869 8388
 
RUSSIA
	Ivan the Kozak

While some Russian fans may be heading for The Keg in Lan Kwai Fong, anyone hoping to pick up on a Russian vibe will have little choice but to head for Hong Kong's only Russian and Ukrainian restaurant. While the service can be an epic Soviet-standard fail, the pelmeni (dumplings) and the cold fish salad make up for it. You should also try one or two shots of their large selection of vodkas. Knock them back in the freezer room, which is so cold that you have to wear one of the fur coats provided. You can also have your picture taken against the snowy backdrop painted on the wall. There is a deal offering six shots for HK$300, after which you will probably be happy whether your team wins, loses or draws.
	46-48 Cochrane Street, Central, tel: 2851 1193
 

SOUTH KOREA
	Han Ah Rum
Korean food has been popular with Hongkongers for longer than South Korea has been participating in World Cups. Hong Kong has more than 300 Korean restaurants but word from a Korean insider is that the current place to go is Han Ah Rum.The bibimbap would win over your Korean mother and there is a varied selection of banchan (side dishes) that includes raw and fermented squid and fresh young cabbage kimchi. Service is a bit hit or miss when busy. Drinks include beers and traditional liquor sochu from the famously boozy nation.
	6/F Causeway Bay Plaza 1, 489 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, tel: 2877 7797
 
ENGLAND
	The White Stag

England might have had a gastronomic revolution, but this venue's menu is as bereft of Blumenthal-style foams and porridges as the team's trophy cupboard is of cups or shields. People come here for its down-to-earth butties (sandwiches), fish and chips, the classic full English breakfast or the chilli con carne. These dishes are all good to line your stomach for a night of drinking. The White Stag offers five draught and 15 bottled beers and 17 whiskies, including Johnny Walker Blue Label. Close your eyes and you could be in England. In about 1982. (Except, of course, for the prices.)
	The Broadway, 54-62 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, tel: 2866 4244
 
ARGENTINA
	Tango Argentinian Steakhouse

Blame it on the grass. Not the country's soccer prowess, but the fatty, sweet flavour of the range-reared beef. If you want to eat large slabs of properly cooked protein in one of the Argentinean community's homes from home, then this is the spot. It's not all beef, there are also enormous hunks of pork, lamb and chicken. Start with the pretty and fresh ceviches - fish "cooked" in citrus juice. These are milder than their Peruvian counterparts. Torrontes and Malbec - these are not the subs bench, but the Argentine wines to order. It might sound pretentious, but try going off-menu for the Don Pedro dessert - vanilla ice cream and candied walnuts covered in a shot of whisky. Unofficially, if the country goes through to the latter stages of the tournament, the venue may be hosting some events.
	1/F Carfield Building, 77 Wyndham Street, Central, tel: 2525 5808
 
MEXICO
	Brickhouse

While Mexican food can hit the refined heights of the menu at Socialito, in Hong Kong it's mostly about tacos, margaritas and atmosphere. (We'll leave the free hats for the younger crowd at Coyote.) Brickhouse takes a jazzed-up street food approach with plenty of wackily named tacos, such as The Protein (rib-eye in a tomato and chilli glaze), the Steve Jobs (no, it doesn't contain apple, it's vegetarian) and the Fat Man Dancing (pork belly). There are 47 tequilas available and if that doesn't get you in the mood for a sporting contest, try the cocktails infused with tobacco or chilli.
	20A D'Aguilar Street, Central, tel: 2810 0560
 
ITALY
	Divino Patio

The best place for Italian wine and pasta is probably your Italian wine importer friend's house. But between the fine-dining places selling HK$3,000 bottles of barolo and international pizza delivery places, there are venues with honest food and reasonable wine list. This Wan Chai spot has a terrace, ample space inside and a menu that includes all the classics. We especially recommend the antipasti selection. Wines are mostly Italian, but there are also reasonably priced bottles from around the world.
	1/F Brim 28, Causeway Centre, 28 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, tel: 2877 3552
 
JAPAN
	Sake Bar Ginn

Ever wondered what happened to non-premium animal parts in Japanese cookery? They appear to be on the menu here. Once you've tried the raw marinated squid with squid intestine and the deep-fried chicken bones, go for the grilled or stewed beef tongue. The izakaya, which matches its food with premium sakes, has more familiar items on the menu - try the classic spinach with sesame dressing and cold soba noodles. If available, the sake-stewed pork belly is a winner. The selling point is obviously the 200-plus sakes selected by a certified sommelier.
	4C, Ho Lee Commercial Building, 38-44 D'Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, tel: 2536 4355
 
MEANWHILE, IN MACAU

	Brazilian fans will be in good company in Macau. Fogo Samba in The Venetian Macao is gearing up for the party mood, as the Brazilian steak house will launch its World Cup Kick Off Carnival Party on June 14. There's going to be capoeira shows, Brazilian bands, dancers and drummers, and diners at Fogo Samba have a chance to win daily prizes. Tickets are 200 patacas and include two free drinks. Meanwhile, Bellini, also in The Venetian, has special dishes for fans supporting various countries. For Brazil fans there is feijoada, a stew of black beans with beef and pork for 115 patacas. Bellini boasts the largest LED screen in town, so fans can watch the games live.

Festiva in the Galaxy hotel will have a World Cup menu on its buffet from July 3-13. It features Brazilian favourites such as black bean casserole; Bahia-style fish stew; beef stew with onion, wine and parsley, and aromatic coconut rice. Priced from 368 to 398 patacas. The lunch menu also features Brazilian dishes for 218 patacas.
	The Venetian Macao, Cotai Strip, Taipa, tel : +853 2882 8877; Galaxy Macau, Cotai Strip, Taipa, tel: +853 2888 0888
 


Hunger games: City has a restaurant for (almost) every team

Quemo. Photos: Antony Dickson, Felix Wong, Dickson Lee, Jonathan Wong

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48 Hours

Hong Kong's culinary diversity means that most countries competing in this year's World Cup are represented by at least one restaurant in the city. Here are our suggestions on where to get your pre-match fill


Hong Kong's culinary diversity means that most countries competing in this year's World Cup are represented by at least one restaurant in the city. Here are our suggestions on where to get your pre-match fill.
