10 new Hong Kong restaurant openings and deals just in time for Lunar New Year and Valentine’s Day, including an afternoon tea set by Michelin-starred Ying Jee Club
If you hadn’t already clocked it, Valentine’s Day falls squarely within the Lunar New Year long weekend this year. The pandemic has dampened this holiday season to say the least, but new restaurants and concepts are popping up in Hong Kong regardless, ready to satisfy foodies and hungry lunchtime diners while restrictions are still in place.
Two new Japanese concepts have landed in Tseung Kwan O, giving work from home diners more options for lunch, while Coffee Academics and Thai fusion cafe Lady Nara have opened new locations in Harbour City. Aussie Grill by Outback has opened its orange doors in Entertainment Building, smack bang in the middle of Central, promising quality yet budget friendly burgers.
Afternoon tea has become a highlight as another opportunity to sip and sup before 6pm. Two-Michelin-starred Ying Jee Club has launched an exquisite tea set for early diners, as has An Nam in Lee Gardens.
Read on to see what else STYLE has rounded up for February.
New opening: The Alp
A Japanese wood lodge-style cafe has landed in Causeway Bay’s Tower 535. Boasting relaxing vibes with elements of nature, the eatery offers an array of comfort and speciality coffee. Diners can look forward to typical cafe fare with a Japanese twist, such as scattered soba bowls, beef mountain donburi and yuzu honey wings.
Unit 302, 3/F, Tower 535, 535 Jaffe Road, Causeway Bay
New opening: Teppanyaki Mihara
A new address for affordable Japanese fine dining will open in mid-February at The Parkside. Top quality seasonal ingredients reign supreme here and signature specialities include prized Miyazaki A4 Wagyu beef sirloin known for its snowflake-like marbling, Hokkaido pork revered for its high collagen and vitamin B1 content, and jet-fresh seafood including tuna from Daisen, one for Japan’s oldest tuna suppliers.
Shop G06, The Parkside Tower 1, 18 Tong Chun Street, Tseung Kwan O
New opening: Aussie Grill by Outback
The fast food concept by Outback Steakhouse opens a new, more convenient location in addition to its branch in Kwai Fong. Taking a page from parent brand Outback Steakhouse, Aussie Grill by Outback offers great value-for-money burgers that are packed with a hearty five- to six-ounce patty of 100 per cent USDA choice grade beef. The offshoot occupies the entire first floor atrium of Entertainment Building in Central, providing ample room for lunch goers until crowd restrictions lift.
G/F & 1/F, Entertainment Building, 30 Queen’s Road Central, Central
New opening: Izakaya by K
The protégé of chef Shohei Shimono of Michelin-starred à nu retrouvez-vous in Tokyo, chef Yusuke Kitade takes the helm of a friendly neighbourhood izakaya in Tseung Kwan O. Opening its doors in mid-February, this restaurant boasts typical izakaya fare with a contemporary twist. Patrons can look forward Wagyu beef pot rice with top-grade Miyazaki fillet A4 with Madeira sauce as well as deboned chicken wing karaage seasoned with ginger, garlic, soy sauce and dashi.
Shop G07, The Parkside Tower 1, 18 Tong Chun Street, Tseung Kwan O
New opening: Otama
We all miss travelling to Japan and enjoying little street snacks like takoyaki or even a warming oden on a cold day. Arriving straight from Kyoto, Otama is here to ease these cravings. The izakaya specialises in oden but also provides an array of other comfort foods such as fish cakes and tamagoyaki or egg roll.
Room 1103, 11/F, United Success Commercial Centre, 508 Jaffe Road, Causeway Bay
New opening: Tapa & Yakiniku
Omakase might have become synonymous with exclusive sushi or tempura meals, but all the word actually means is that you are served the chef’s choice of dishes. Here to change the game is Tapa & Yakiniku, serving – you guessed it – grilled slices of beef selected by the chef. Apart from top-notch cuts of Wagyu beef, the omakase menu also includes jet-fresh seafood such as abalone and scallops.
2/F, The Nate, 176 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
New opening: Lady Nara
Pretty as a picture, Lady Nara is here to serve cafe food with Thai inspirations. Innovative creations include soft-shelled crab burgers, tom yum koong spaghetti carbonara, tom yum lobster bisque and beef tartare infused with pineapple.
Shop 3303, 3/F, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, 3-27 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Ying Jee Club’s new afternoon tea set
Dim sum in the afternoon? Yes please. Prestigious two-Michelin-starred Ying Jee Club is now offering an array of dim sum along with its signature barbecue pork, among other dishes, in a gorgeous afternoon tea set. At HK$328 (US$42) per person, this is the perfect way to sample what the esteemed restaurant has to offer.
Shop G05, 107-108, Nexxus Building, 41 Connaught Road Central
Coffee Academics’ new menu
One of Hong Kong’s most trusted coffee institutions has opened a new location in Harbour City. Light, bright and airy, there is also an open terrace to enjoy the wonderful winter weather we’ve been enjoying. A new store also means a new menu, and must-try items include sunny-side up French toast, laksa pasta and delicious espresso butter on fluffy pancakes.
Shop 4201K, Level 4, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, 3-27 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
An Nam’s Indochinese afternoon tea set
Causeway Bay’s go-to for fine Vietnamese cuisine has launched an afternoon tea set to satiate all your cravings for Indochinese fare. Sink your teeth into delicious deep-fried spring rolls, fermented bean curd chicken wings and succulent chargrilled jumbo river prawns as well as the restaurant’s beef rice noodle soup.
4/F, Lee Garden One, 33 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay
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- As Covid-19 dining restrictions continue, restaurants are making afternoon tea a thing again – think afternoon dim sum at Ying Jee Club
- Chef Yusuke Kitade, protégé of chef Shohei Shimono, opens Izakaya by K offering Miyazaki A4 Wagyu beef rice and more