Cold Days, Hot Plates

Let’s face it, Hong Kong never really gets that cold, but the winter chill can get pretty bitter. According to Chinese medicine principles, there are foods you can eat to help keep you warm when it’s cold outside.

Mutton

Everyone flocks to lamb hotpot restaurants as soon as the mercury drops below 20. But what’s so warming about it? Apparently, lamb has higher iron, protein and fat levels than other meats, which helps to boost circulation and metabolic rate. And according to the "Bencao Gangmu," (the bible of Chinese medicine), lamb is beneficial to people that constantly feel cold and suffer from headaches.

Get a homemade-style sizzling lamb pot, which is pretty much available at all Chinese restaurants during winter. It’s a stew with fermented bean curd paste, bean curd sheets and water chestnuts. A good all-lamb meal can also be had at Biyi Restaurant in Western District.

Alternatively, go for a lamb hotpot meal at Little Sheep, a hotpot chain from Mongolia with restaurants all over Hong Kong and China. You can also get good quality, reasonably priced lamb at Ning Kee ($88 per person for all-you-can-eat, pictured). If you’re watching your waistline, get the lamb and vermicelli casserole in Satay sauce at One Harbour Road ($180, pictured) – according to sous chef Wan Lai-kwong, using shredded lamb instead of mutton cubes helps you get the maximum flavor without the fat.

Red dates

Red dates are good for blood circulation, weakness, insomnia or cold limbs. These findings are supported by Western medicine too; research says that red dates can help to increase the oxygen level in our blood.
Try steamed prawns with marinated vintage dates ($198) from Hoi King Keen and double-boiled soup of beef shank with labybell root, wolfberries and red dates ($120) at One Harbour Road.

Venison

Another a traditional winter delicacy. In Chinese medicine, venison is considered yang, or masculine, so it is particularly good for men - especially newlyweds - because it helps to strengthen the function of their kidneys and spleen.

Unfortunately, not that many Chinese restaurants cook venison these days – we managed to find two dishes in the winter menu at The Royal Garden Chinese Restaurant. Try their braised mutton sinew with bamboo shoots and black mushroom in clay pot ($218) and turtle jelly and venison fillet with pea sprouts ($238).

Ginseng

Ginseng is another winter staple. American ginseng, despite it being a “cooling” food, rejuvenates our qi and is increases the effectiveness of other Chinese medicinal foods, while ginseng and dangshen improve blood circulation and lung function.

The double-boiled chicken and frog soup with American ginseng and dangshen ($150) at One Harbour Road is an ideal winter warmer. It’s also a good after-party tonic as it helps it helps to combat the effects of excessive smoking and drinking. The Royal Garden Chinese Restaurant does a sautéed sliced pigeon with fresh lily bulb and ginseng ($108).