6 Restaurants to Get Chinese Lamb Stew
Chinese lamb stew: a warm, earthy winter classic that’s perfect for the Year of the Goat. By Yannie Chan
Sheung Hing Shepherding
The 40-year-old Sheung Hing Chiu Chow Restaurant makes a mean lamb stew—but the dish isn’t even on the menu, so you’ll have to know to ask for it. Served in a traditional clay pot, the stew ($198) is on the lighter side, with a thinner sauce and milder flavors. The tender lamb belly, pan-fried first and mixed into the stew, comes with a good amount of fat and pairs especially well with rice. Don’t miss out on the restaurant’s famous Chiu Chow dishes as well, in particular the lo shui braised goose. The strong, rich “kung fu” tea that comes with your meal cuts through the fatty meal perfectly.
29, 33, 39 Queen’s Rd. West, Sheung Wan, 2854-4557.
Flock to Lok
A bit of foodie history: Chinese lamb stew gained celebrity status when Chef Leung King, who headed up Luk Yu Tea House in the 70s, concocted his own version when opening his own establishment. The dish cost $65 in the 80s, roughly the same price as an abalone and shark’s fin dinner set. These days Sun Tung Lok’s version costs $638 and is said to be very similar to Chef Leung’s original. The fresh lamb is delivered to the restaurant daily, and is tender with a hint of sweetness. The fermented red bean curd sauce, which traditionally goes with lamb stew, is sourced from the legendary Liu Ma Kee in Jordan—don’t let it go to waste.
13 Stanley St., Central, 2807-2290.
Luk Yu Lambs
As Chef Leung King made his name at Luk Yu Tea House, it’s no surprise that the restaurant’s classic lamb stew ($360) also makes the list. The medium-sized pot comes with around a dozen lamb pieces, a good amount of bean curd sheets and plenty of extras such as water chestnut and mushrooms. The lamb at Luk Yu is so tender it almost falls apart: Chef Huen’s technique is to braise the meat before stewing it. The sauce has an incredible layered taste: a mixture of fermented bean curd, chu hou sauce, and preserved bean curd. The lamb stew is available all year round, and the sassy and friendly Luk Yu staff always add to the experience.
24 Stanley St., Central, 2523-5464.