070607 - 12 Trip to HK III - Gourmet's Paradise 2

If you don't have a local gourmet to guide your palate, you'll probably never be able to find Lin Heung Tea House (蓮香樓) at Central Hong Kong.

Before my best friend SY, married with a HK guy and living in HK for 10 year, took me there, she warned me seriously that Lin Heung Tea House is not a FANCY restaurant, and I probably would feel very uncomfortable with their rather shabby outlook, chaotic atmosphere and lack of service. She, however, definitely wanted to show me this typical Cantonese restaurant, for it might be the last one which still serves dim-sum (or yam-cha in Cantonese) in the old way. It's, of course, not a difficult task to satisfy someone just getting back from Nepal, especially concerning food.

To my surprise, it turned out to be one of the best experiences I had in HK during my 4-day visit. I enjoyed its food and atmosphere so much that I even went there twice. A Hong-konger sitting next to me during my second "tasting" told me that he is a regular there, and it's the BEST DIM SUM restaurant one can find in HK. I believe him, for my friend SY's husband's grand grandfather went there for dim sum, and it's a well-know dim sum place with over 80 years history.

Savour delicious dim sum in an authentic set with a sort of melancholic atmosphere when you are in Hong-Kong next time. As a gourmet, you wouldn't want to miss it.

The restaurant is at the Wellington Str, next to the SOHO restaurant area.

070607 - 12 Trip to HK II - Gourmet's Paradise 1

Having been traveling & living in more than 30 countries in the world, I dare to say that Hong Kong is one of the gourmet's paradises on earth!

Besides the local Kantonese cuisine, you can find all varieties of the Chinese cuisine, such as spicy Sichuan dishes, sweet glutinous Shanghai kitchen, Beijing style imperial taste etc. In addition, HK is also the hub for western and other Asian cuisines. French, British, American, Thai, Indian, Egyptian etc. You name it. As long as you've got enough space in the belly, no worry about finding the right food for it.

After 2-week stay in Nepal, where Nepali/Newari/Indian food is the mainstream kitchen and rather monotone, I found my stomach has been well compensated for the lack of varieties. With 5 days in HK, I tried my best to savour as many sorts of Kantonese and Haka delicatessen as possible. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and desserts after each meal etc. I've never eaten so much food within such a short period in my life!!!! Here I owe a thank to Nepal - without 2 weeks of nearly "fasting" (my stomach was frequently empty there - either no food to feed or food getting in & coming out fast), I wouldn't be able to swallow all these dishes!