Did You Know Asparagus Is an Aphrodisiac? Get Sexy With Our Top 5 White Asparagus Menus in Hong Kong
There’s no better way to make the most of seasonal produce this month than savoring the vegetable's sweet, mild flavor—and finding it has some great benefits for a special night out.
Cultures around the world have, for centuries, praised the aphrodisiac benefits of asparagus. White asparagus is an even more delicate form of the vegetable.
Hugo's
Hugo’s classic dining room and exceptional service makes it one of our favorite weekend destinations to escape the crowds. Their white asparagus menu presents the “edible ivory” in thoughtful combinations such as the white asparagus salad with langoustine, cauliflower, fennel and black truffle vinaigrette ($355); the white asparagus with herbs, sautéed Atlantic monkfish and potato in meunière sauce ($595); and the white asparagus risotto with morel, stuffed French quail and arugula in port wine jus ($595). To enjoy it on its own, opt for the steamed white asparagus ($330) with just a dash of brown butter to coax out the flavor.
Le 188° Restaurant & Lounge
Pop down to the Harbour Grand to sample the best of white asparagus at Le 188° Restaurant & Lounge. Known for its stunning vistas and classic European dishes, Le 188° has taken the combo of salmon and asparagus as the base for their new menu, with dishes including salmon and asparagus croquettes ($210), Norway salmon with white asparagus puree and duck foie gras ($480), salmon and white asparagus bisque ($160), and char-grilled fillet of Scottish salmon with grilled asparagus ($480). Once you’ve fulled up on salmon and asparagus, end with one of the restaurant’s creative desserts—which are thankfully asparagus-free.
Épure
Manned by executive chef Nicolas Boutin, chic French restaurant Épure is getting in on the produce of the season with a new menu co-created by guest chef Michel Portos. The tasting menu flows through a mélange of balanced flavors and textures, with white asparagus making a star appearance in the second course—a stunning creation which features a twist on deviled eggs with a pinch of Espelette chili to tingle the palate. The rest of the menu is an ode to the season, with fava beans, tomatoes, artichokes and purple carrots singing of spring. $1,488 for six courses, $1,788 for eight courses (plus two desserts).
Wagyu Takumi
Tender and sweeter in flavor than traditional green asparagus, the prized whites are given a two-Michelin-starred treatment at Wagyu Takumi, with the spring-inspired menu featuring white asparagus in an assortment of delicate preparations. The meal starts with a white asparagus salad topped with white asparagus powdered ice, and moves on to an appetizer of poached white asparagus in smoked butter with iberico ham. For the main course, chef Mitsuru Konishi combines white asparagus with French blue lobster in a red wine vinegar sauce for a Japanese- and French-inspired multi-layered composition. $1,980 per person for an eight-course degustation.
Le Port Parfumé
White asparagus flown in from Provence is grilled to retain a crispy crunch while revealing a mild, tender center in three new dishes at seafood bistro Le Port Parfumé. The first features escargots with white asparagus in an herbed butter sauce ($200), while the second stars risotto topped with grilled stalks for a creamy, veggie-driven combo ($220). For more of a protein hit, try the white asparagus with Bayonne ham and 63-degree sous vide egg, topped off with a classic Béarnaise ($250).
