Hung Lai-wai
Hung Lai-wai (or brother Hung, as he is affectionately known) has placed North Point on the culinary map since his modest Chiu Chow diner, Hung’s Delicacies, garnered a Michelin star two years ago. Hung’s now trying to up his own game by opening a second branch at Chek Lap Kok Airport.
Cooking with Heart
Before becoming a familiar face in today’s local dining scene, Hung Lai-wai had to work his way up from a struggling restaurant on a virtually empty street before eventually attracting the hungry throng and even famous faces to his venue. Queues snaking out of his Chiu Chow eatery, Hung’s Delicacies in North Point, are a common sight these days.
Using only the finest ingredients around, Hung’s main specialty is “loh sui,” or roasted marinated poultry. Hung’s gastronomic aim is to blend the aroma obtained from the roasting with the aroma of the meat. “The key thing is we remained focused,” he says. “I put my heart into what I do. It really wasn’t easy to begin with. The success is in listening to our customers’ opinions and responding to their needs, as many chefs tend to not accept their customers’ concerns.” Hung had to meticulously modify the traditionally saltier and oilier Chiu Chow dishes in order to cater to the clearer Hong Kong palate, he explains. Other traditional Chiu Chow offerings at Hung’s include duck tongue in Chinese liquor, chicken leg tendon in mustard sauce and marinated goose.
Crowd Pleaser
The eatery caters to both local and international customers, Hung says. But he thinks North Point isn’t particularly tourist-friendly, and non-Islanders might find his restaurant a bit inaccessible. “For Hong Kong Islanders, [the restaurant] is relatively easy for them to get to… but for those who live in the New Territories it can be quite far, so [having a shop] at [the airport] is a lot more convenient and can attract more customers,” he explains. So Hung went ahead and opened a second eatery at Chek Lap Kok.
Hung’s determined for his airport restaurant to for it to perform as well as his North Point branch. Everything on the menu is worth a bite, Hung says. Remember to stop by Hung’s for some authentic Chiu Chow delights before your next trip!
Hung’s Delicacies, Shop 3P116-3P117, 3/F, SkyPlaza, Terminal 2, Hong Kong International Airport, Chek Lap Kok, 3197-9331.