7 of the best spots to dine out in Mong Kok

1. Ming Court

 Diners are always assured of a great meal at one-star Michelin, Ming Court, whether that be a dim sum lunch or an expertly wine-paired dinner. The restaurant is now under the helm of executive chef Li Yuet-faat, who is making his mark on dishes through his mantra of “only the best”. A perfect example is the barbecue supreme pork loin (char siu), which is made only from the centre cut of pork shoulder, and is marinated in a secret recipe of more than 20 ingredients. The thicker cut pieces are tender, packed with flavour, with a fantastic bite that puts it in the running for the best in Hong Kong. That’s reason enough to visit, but there are many others, including the creative cordyceps, enoki mushroom and black truffle paste appetiser; the decadent and delicious baked crab with Parmesan cheese; and the indulgent, intense and harmoniously balanced, sautéed wagyu beef with foie gras, basil, and cashews - a dish that showcases the sophistication of the chef’s skills. Leave room for dessert.

2. Maruju Sushi

 A new opening is Maruju Sushi, known for milling its own rice in-house, with rice varieties milled to suit the use (sushi, rice bowls etc). For the lunch crowd the set options are the go-to, but there is also an a la carte menu available on request. Favourite set choices, which are all attractively presented in bento boxes, include grilled eel, grilled beef with onsen tamago, grilled Japanese free-range chicken, assorted tempura, Tsukiji sashimi and Hokkaido donburi. There is a choice of three sushi sets, including the Deluxe (10 pieces), featuring a comprehensive selection with variety in seafood and sushi styles. Stand-outs were the ultra-creamy prawns and scallop. There are also add-ons such as edamame, deep fried dumplings, oyster cutlet and deep fried squid.

3. Yum Cha

Well-known for its cute animal dim sum, Yum Cha is a great option for a quick dim sum lunch or for groups with diverse tastes. The full menu includes chef’s specials such as spicy diced chicken Sichuan style, dan dan noodles and organic kale with garlic. A refreshing appetiser option is the chilled sesame chicken rice noodle salad. Springy, tubular rice noodles, with a fantastic bite, are paired with a delicious sesame sauce and topped with steamed chicken, cucumber and carrot. The shrimp and vegetable dumplings highlight the flair of the dim sum chefs. The almost iridescent dumpling is filled with tender pieces of shrimp; the only vegetables are those that have coloured the dumpling skin.