Joy from the first bite at Joyden Canton Kitchen

Joy from the first bite at Joyden Canton Kitchen

Dishes at Joyden Canton Kitchen are packed with home-cooked flavours and can be easily enjoyed every day

Wong Ah Yoke, Food Critic

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Updated today at 11:59 AM

Sometimes you just know when a new restaurant will be a hit. That is how I felt after my first dinner at Joyden Canton Kitchen two weeks ago. Two more visits later, I am even more sure - despite the odds against it.

The casual Chinese eatery is not conveniently located. Unless you live in the Upper Bukit Timah area, the new HillV2 Shopping Centre, which is surrounded by condominiums, is probably not on your radar.

And the Cantonese "kitchen" concept already has plenty of competition from the Crystal Jade and Imperial Treasure groups.

What makes this place different, however, is that it brings a fresh take to the concept.

Instead of focusing on the Cantonese roasts, noodles and congee combination, Joyden interprets Canton as the larger Guangdong province and its menu includes Teochew and Hakka cooking which originate from the area. And the cooking is good enough to make getting to the restaurant worth the effort.

What appeals to me is the home-cooked flavours that characterise many of the dishes. These are what many Cantonese families may find on their dinner tables at home, albeit a bit more refined - dishes that can be easily enjoyed every day.

A dish I like is the Joyden Signature Soy Sauce Chicken ($12 to $32). The sauce used to poach the chicken has

a well-balanced blend of sweet and savoury flavours, and the addition of rosewater imparts a subtle fragrance to it. The chicken itself is cooked perfectly, juicy and tender with skin that is infused with the sauce.

An alternative is the Signature Traditional Hakka Salt Poached Farm Chicken ($17), which has less complicated flavours but is very tasty nonetheless. It does not have the crisp, yellow skin of true kampung chicken but its firm, tasty flesh is probably among the closest to the free-range chicken you find in Malaysia.

Fish Maw And Prawns With Glass Noodles In Homemade XO Sauce ($18.80) tastes like it is created for local palates. It reminds me of Thai-Teochew claypot glass noodles, but with a spicy kick which should go down well with diners here. There is also a generous amount of fried fish maw, which soaks up the tasty sauce like a sponge.

Those who do not take to spice may prefer the Signature Red Grouper Fillet With White Tofu Steamed In Black Bean Sauce ($16.80). This is classic Cantonese fare with the salty but aromatic black bean sauce balanced by the bland but smooth tofu. And the price is very reasonable too for garoupa fillet.

Some dishes, however, can be done better.

One is the Sliced Bittergourd With Pork Ribs In Black Bean Sauce ($15). The sauce is well-flavoured but both the bittergourd and the ribs could benefit from a longer cooking time. Simmering them further will not only make them more tender, but also allow the sauce to penetrate deeper into both ingredients.

The Traditional Chicken Wings Filled With Fragrant Glutinous Rice ($9) also just misses the mark. The light, crispy texture is a delight, but the seasoning, especially for the glutinous rice, is too light. Only liberal dips in chilli sauce could rescue the dish from blandness.

Luckily, confidence in the restaurant is restored when the Signature Traditional Rice Vermicelli With Poached Egg White, Crabmeat And Scallop ($15.80) arrives. It looks appealing with a raw egg cracked over the piping hot noodles just before serving. At the table, you stir the egg into the thick gravy, which is delicious whether on its own or with a few drops of black vinegar. It is a tasty and comforting dish and ends the meal on a high note.

The desserts pass muster too. The Homemade Herbal Guilin Jelly ($4.50) especially stands out for the cool sensation in the aftertaste.

ahyoke@sph.com.sg

Follow Wong Ah Yoke on Twitter @STahyoke

SundayLife! paid for its meals at the eateries reviewed here.

Sun, fun and buns

Sun, fun and buns

Kua Chee Siong Photojournalist

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Off the charming island of Hong Kong lies an even more charming one. Cheung Chau is a small, long-ish island of just 2.45 sq km - thus its name "Long Island". It is most famous for its annual Bun Festival in May, which features sinewy competitors shimmying up "bun towers" to see who can grab the most number of buns. Locals, however, bemoan that what started as a religious festival is now commercialised for tourists.

But all year round, it is an idyllic place with a laid-back vibe, where motorised vehicles are banned and the local population of about 20,000 go about their day drying seafood in the sun and tending to their shops. The small businesses include shops selling sticks of fishballs and old-school hair parlours.

Hong Kongers wanting a quick getaway from city life also visit the island for its beaches, where most notably the city's first and only Olympic gold medallist - windsurfer Lee Lai Shan - grew up.

It's not all rosy though. The island has a macabre history as a place where people used to go to commit suicide.

cskua@sph.com.sg

TEXT BY LI XUEYING

Where to eat in Sydney Australia

These Sydney eateries serving contemporary Australian food are worth taking note of

Wong Ah Yoke Food Critic In Sydney

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Foodies who have travelled to Sydney will be familiar with restaurants such as Marque, Tetsuya and Nomad - all excellent restaurants worth visiting.

But there are new and exciting places to discover too, as I found out on a recent trip to the Australian city. Three restaurants especially stand out with their take on contemporary Australian cooking.

The menus offer a selection of Western dishes that feature ingredients such as scallop, salmon, duck, beef and lamb sourced domestically, part of a global trend of restaurants focusing on local produce.

Except that in Sydney, the source may be as local as the backyard of the restaurant, which is the case of the restaurants I visited. A small patch of land, a cluster of flower pots or even a wheelbarrow filled with compost is fertile ground for growing healthy herbs and vegetables such as basil, oregano, parsley, dill, rucola or kale.

The proximity of these food sources translates to a freshness in the food that you have to go to Australia to appreciate. Which is why, for me, Australian food just tastes so much better when you are there.

ahyoke@sph.com.sg

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THE POTTING SHED

The Potting Shed is a restaurant within a cluster of cafe, coffee roaster, bakery and shops called The Grounds of Alexandria that was converted from a warehouse/ industrial complex two years ago.

The largely alfresco dining area is filled with plants that make you feel like you are dining in a garden.

The image is reinforced by the motley garden furniture and menus held together by clips in the shape of tiny shovels.

The food looks like it is from a farmhouse kitchen, with rustic fare such as The Shed Platter (from A$22 or S$24 for two persons), comprising cured meats and cheeses with fruit and marinated vegetables.

The Buttermilk Popcorn Chicken (A$12) is good, especially if you pair it with a salad of Roasted Baby Beets (A$19), where watercress, radicchio, hazelnuts and pickled golden shallots are tossed with apple balsamic.

The Kurobuta Pork Belly Sliders (A$16) pack a punch with the shredded meat mixed with kimchi and red-eye mayo, and stuffed in a charcoal brioche.

Where: The Grounds of Alexandria, Building 7A, 2 Huntley Street, Alexandria NSW 2015, tel:+61-2-9699-2225

Open: 11.30am to midnight daily

Info: www.groundroasters.com

THREE BLUE DUCKS

Located on a small street just a short walk from the popular Bronte Beach, this is a funky restaurant with colourful wall murals covering one wall of the dining room and wood panels covering another.

The food comes out of a tiny open kitchen in a smaller room separated by an open corridor. We were there for breakfast and it was good and hearty.

I ordered the Flaked House Smoked Salmon (A$22) and it was a huge plate with the fish hidden under pieces of toast and two poached eggs sprinkled liberally with dukkah.

Underneath was a lush bed of fried kale and labneh chilli (a spicy yogurt). It was one of the best breakfasts I have had in a long time, and a pretty healthy one too.

The Scrambled Eggs With Black Sausage (A$22) was tasty enough to overcome my dislike for black sausage. It came with a dill cucumber yogurt salad and red currant jam.

I will have to return for lunch, which includes promising dishes such as Steamed Mussels With Herb, Coconut Sambal And Chili Toast (A$28) and Coffee And Cumin Brisket (A$29).

The intimate dining room does not prepare you for the restaurant's spacious backyard. Follow a sign that says "Chickens, Bees and Bathrooms... this way" and you find yourself in a backyard garden with neat vegetable beds and herbs growing out of pots and wheelbarrows. There are even a few banana trees.

And yes, chickens.

Where: 141-143 Macpherson Street, Bronte NSW 2024, tel:+61-2-9389-0010

Open: 7 to 11.30am daily, noon to 2.30pm (Monday to Friday), noon to 3pm (Saturday and Sunday), 6 to 11pm (Wednesday to Saturday)

Info: www.threeblueducks.com

CHISWICK RESTAURANT

Chiswick Restaurant, located in Chiswick Gardens in the upscale Woollahra suburb, has a big open kitchen next to a bar. The dining room is in an adjacent area with floor-to-ceiling windows that let in plenty of light during the day.

The windows also look out onto a pristine lawn and a kitchen garden in the back where a lot of the herbs and vegetables used in the dishes are grown.

I was there for dinner on a rainy evening, however, so all these could not be appreciated.

The focus, then, fell on the food that appeared on the plates, and it was excellent.

The menu is big for a Western restaurant, with sections for Nibbles, Small Plates, Mains, To Share, Sides and Desserts.

There is also a Collective Menu at A$75 a person comprising a four-course menu of the restaurant's popular dishes such as wood-roasted lamb and whole roasted chicken meant to be shared among a table of six people or more.

My favourite dish, Crispy Fried Quail (A$22), is found only in the a la carte menu.

Marinated with lime, shallot and ginger, it is perfectly deep-fried with its crispy and fragrant skin enveloping steaming, moist meat.

The ginger lends it a Cantonese flavour that resonates with me.

The Roast Pork Belly (A$33) is also expertly cooked, with its crispy crackling and fork-tender meat.

Here, aromatic shallot oil gives the flavours a refreshing lift, while a bed of toasted barley takes the greasiness down a notch.

If you're feeling peckish, get the Prawn Popcorn (A$14) while waiting for the main dishes to arrive.

The battered and deep-fried pieces of prawn are sweet and succulent, and delicious with a chipotle mayonnaise dip.

Where: 65 Ocean Street, Woollahra, NSW 2025, tel: +61-2-8388-8688

Open: Noon to 2.30pm (Monday to Thursday), noon to 3pm (Friday to Sunday), 6 to 10pm (Monday to Thursday), 5.30 to 10pm (Friday and Saturday), 6 to 9pm (Sunday)

Info: Go towww.chiswickrestaurant.com.auor e-mail reservations@chiswick restaurant.com.au

Essentials - travel checklist

Hip cafés in Chinatown Singapore

Lee Jian Xuan

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Updated today at 08:50 AM

At least five hip eateries have sprung up over Chinatown in the past year, hinting at a wave of gentrification that has seeped into neighbouring estates like Everton Park and Tiong Bahru. Most of the Chinatown cafes are opened by young entrepreneurs drawn by the area's rich culture and its central location. Here are five to check out.

1. Arterial, 24 Temple Street
+65 6222 8589

-- PHOTO: ARTERIAL

Right in the heart of Chinatown amid a cluster of teahouses and hotels along Temple Street, this 40-seater cafe sees brunch-loving hipsters jostling for space with tourists ducking in for a beer to escape the searing heat. It opened in July and serves Western fare such as salads and pastas. The spot it sits on was previously occupied by two eateries: the now-defunct Table 24 restaurant and the CrazyWorld cafe set up by devotees of Taiwanese mega-band Mayday.

Arterial is in the midst of revamping its menu, to be launched soon. A spokesman said it will also feature a retail space along its walls selling French decor knick-knacks, kitchenware and collectibles in partnership with local blogshop Au Lapin Noir.

Open: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 10pm, closed on Monday
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arterial.sg
Instagram: @arterial.sg

2. 49 Seats, 49 Kreta Ayer Road
+65 6225 4332

-- PHOTO: 49 SEATS

Opened early last year, this Western fusion dinner-supper joint has earned rave reviews for creative dishes such as its Smoked Duck Aglio Olio and Tom Yam Seafood Pasta (both $14.90) and Golden Escargot ($9.90).

Unlike most other eateries, it stays open into the wee hours of the morning to cater to the supper crowd and hungry partygoers trickling in at all hours of the night from the Tanjong Pagar area.

Open: Monday to Thursday, 6pm to 1am, Friday and Saturday, 6pm to 4.30am, closed on Sunday
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/49Seats
Instagram: @49seats

3. Bread & Hearth Artisanal Bakery Cafe, 18 Keong Saik Road
+65 6534 7800

-- PHOTO: BREAD & HEARTH ARTISANAL BAKERY CAFE

This four-month-old eatery specialises in pastries and rustic breads, such as sourdough and baguettes, baked in small batches to ensure quality. It also serves brunch favourites like English breakfast and grilled pork patty sandwiches on weekends.

Popular items include the plain croissant ($2.80), made with unbleached flour from France, as well as the chocolat blanc bun ($2.80), made from melted white chocolate and without any sugar.
Open: 8am to 9.30pm daily
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BreadAndHearth
Instagram: @breadandhearth

4. Well Dressed Salad Bar & Cafe, 282 South Bridge Road
+65 6534 7727

-- PHOTO: WELL DRESSED SALAD BAR & CAFE

Located right below Eight Treasures Vegetarian Restaurant, this vegetarian cafe which opened in June last year offers a huge drinks selection, which includes beer, coffees and fresh fruit smoothies ($2 to $8.50).

For grub, customers can either order the salad bowls ($5.50 to $9.50), or customise their own, selecting their own greens, toppings and dressings. Set dishes like vegetarian satay ($10) and the Rocketfella Burger ($12.90) are also available.

Open: 11.30am to 10pm daily
Facebook: -
Instagram: #welldressedsaladbar

5. The Mama Shop, 195 Pearl's Hill Terrace
+65 9168 2258

Felicia Chin at her cafe Mama Shop at Pearls Hill Terrace.: RUDY WONG

Perched atop a secluded, grassy knoll inside a former police barracks converted into an office building, the retro-themed Mama Shop is the newest entrant to the string of cafes that have sprouted in Chinatown.

Opened by television actresses Felicia Chin and Sora Ma, 30, the eatery serves snacks like quiche, curry pie and waffles with sweet and savory fillings ($4.90), as well as burgers ($10.90 or $14.90). Childhood knick-knacks like country flag erasers, wafer biscuits and chaptehs are also on sale.

Open: 12pm to 10pm on weekdays, 12pm till late on weekends
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Mama-Shop/1499558526956124
Instagram: @themamashopsg

jianxuan@sph.com.sg

London best places to eat recommended by top chefs

Simon Rogan is a fan of Goodman. Photographer: Richard Vines/Bloomberg

Chefs like to entice us into their restaurants. Where do they go on their nights off?

I asked some of the leading U.K. culinary stars where they like to eat inLondon. Their picks range from the formality of establishments like Le Gavroche, where gentlemen must wear a jacket, to the casual pleasures of the Soho noodle bar.

Here’s what the chefs had to say:

Sat Bains (Sat Bains): “I had a brilliant meal at Le Gavroche. I hadn’t been there for 12 years and I was blown away. It was a master class of service, ambiance and food. I was with a table of chefs and if any of us could achieve that in our lifetime, we’d be doing very well. I’ve never seen anything like it. I like Little Social. Every meal I’ve had there has been delicious. Gymkhana is incredible: Indian food is my heritage and they have very exciting dishes.”

Nieves Barragan Mohacho (Barrafina): “I go to Koya Barwhenever I work an early shift. It’s good for one person and I really like the noodles, which they make themselves. On my days off, I always try to go to new places, but when I’m working I go somewhere nearby, likeBarnyard. I like the simplicity. On Sundays, I sometimes go toMerchants Tavern, which is relaxed.”

Brett Graham (Ledbury): “I like theClove Club because Isaac (McHale) is a brilliant young cook and the food is delicious. Dinner at Gymkhanawas one of my best meals of the year: I like everything from the cocktails to the innovative food.Koya in Soho is great because there are always interesting dishes besides the noodles. For steak, it’s hard to beat the Belted Galloway atGoodman Mayfair.”

Skye Gyngell (Spring): “I love River Cafe. It’s a restaurant I go back to time and time again, sitting outside for Sunday lunch. I love everything about it. I go to Koya for delicious noodles. I always go to Quo Vadis -- I love Jeremy (Lee). And Barrafina is one of my all-time favorites in London. For somewhere local in Shepherds Bush, I go to Sufi for delicious Persian food.”

Angela Hartnett (Murano): “I like Pellicci in Bethnal Green. It’s a proper old caff. They are just lovely people. The family has been doing it for decades. And I like Tramshed. It’s a great Sunday night place if you don’t want to think about cooking. It’s walkable from my house, which helps. I enjoy Casse-Croute in Bermondsey. It feels like you’re inFrance. Jose and Zucca are also great and very affordable.”

Tom Kerridge (Hand & Flowers): “There are amazing places popping up all over the place but I do find it difficult not to go and eat Anthony Demetre’s food. I’m a huge fan ofArbutus and Wild Honey. They are two of the best restaurants that London has. And next to Arbutus is another I always go to, Barrafina. I absolutely love it. Then there are two restaurants at a level above everyone else: Hibiscus, where Claude Bosi is just so individual, and Brett Graham at The Ledbury, with some of the best food in Europe.”

Jeremy Lee (Quo Vadis): “St John is my favorite and (St John) Bread & Wine from time to time. They have that beautiful, uncluttered ease and charm that I like so much and the food is delicious, as is the wine, as is the service. They are bonny and delightful. I like Royal China for a Manhattan skyline of dumplings; Viet Grill for great Vietnamese food and the best salt-and-pepper squid in town; Towpath for its calm serenity.”

Nuno Mendes (Chiltern Firehouse): “I spend a lot of time in East London. It’s my home, and I have an affinity for the businesses there. I like the way Lyle’s changes during the day. James Lowe’s food is unique. I often go to Rotorino and the food atRawduck is amazing. Koya is one of the best restaurants in town, and I had a really nice meal at Gymkhana. I want to go back with my wife.”

Pierre Koffmann (Koffmann’s): “The place I always enjoy the most is Hereford Road because the food is very good and simple. It’s almost like home cooking. For the same reason, I like Le Colombier, where the staff are very nice and it’s a bistro atmosphere. You can have the fruits de mer and a rib of beef, or grouse now. Garnier I like for the same reason and Brasserie Chavot for the beautiful food. I had a fantastic meal at Rivea.”

Michel Roux Jr. (Le Gavroche): “I’ve been several times to Abbeville Kitchen in Clapham. Recently I had a lovely bowl of borlotti beans with a neck of lamb. It was perfectly cooked. It’s real comfort food: hearty and delicious. The Dairy is an unsung hero of Clapham. The food is modern but not silly. They even grow their own vegetables on the roof. I enjoy the new Roka in Mayfair. It’s just round the corner from Le Gavroche. I finally made it toDabbous and I enjoyed it. Everything on the plate belongs there.”

Simon Rogan (Fera): “I love the cuisine at Roka Mayfair, which is three doors from where I live. And I’ve been to Antidote because one of my boys, Chris Johns, is chef there. And Mikael Jonsson of Hedone is heavily involved, so you know it will be good. I’d better mention my (Maybourne Hotel Group) stablemates. Helene Darroze is really special. I was very impressed with her food and Marcus (Wareing) likewise.”

Karam Sethi (Gymkhana): “My wife and I like to go to a few places, such as Yauatcha, Roka and Barrafina. We’ll have small plates in each place. I’m just back from San Sebastian and that’s what you do in the pintxos bars there. For a complete blowout, I love going to Zuma. And for high-end haute cuisine I’d probably go to The Ledbury. I like Tommi’s for a good burger and Busaba for Thai, and I’m also a big fan of Lahore Kebab House.”

Lee Westcott (Typing Room): “The best places are Clove Club and theLedbury. At the Clove Club, it’s not over-complicated food. It’s simple on the plate and the atmosphere is good: it’s chilled and they look after you well. Everything you eat at The Ledbury is perfectly cooked and seasoned. I’ve been there about six times this year. The Dairy is good and Koya is a once-a-month treat. I also like Lyle’s -- which is cool and relaxed -- and Kitchen Table.”

Here are the results of similar surveys I conducted in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

(Richard Vines is the chief food critic for Bloomberg. Follow him on Twitter@richardvines)

To contact the reporter on this story: Richard Vines in London atrvines@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Jared Sandberg atjedsandberg@bloomberg.netRobert Valpuesta, Justin Ocean

Gianni's trattoria Italians at 51 elgin street central

OLD SCHOOL FANCIES Singapore wanton and coffee

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Updated today at 02:42 PM

OLD SCHOOL FANCIES

Heap Seng Leong, a coffee shop in North Bridge Road, has seen better days. The white tiles on the walls are a little grimy, the marble-topped tables are worn and there are piles of boxes in various corners. An abacus sits on the counter.

The customers are almost all elderly men. One morning, I watch two of them in animated conversation. One is speaking in Malay, the other replies in Hokkien. It is surreal. And yet, here is a real piece of old Singapore; not the kitsch old, ironic old, fake old or hipster old vibe that so many cafes affect these days.

The uncle making kaya toast ($1.20) scrapes the burnt parts off the bread using the top of a milk can, its circumference jagged after being liberated by a can opener, and perfect for the job.

What I always order here is kopi gu yew ($1.10) or coffee with butter. Full-bodied and a little chocolatey, it is an old-school cuppa. The butter lends richness but is not cloying, and there is just enough condensed milk to sweeten the drink without obscuring the nuances of the coffee. Not many places serve kopi gu yew so this is a rare treat.

Round off breakfast with two soft-boiled eggs ($1) and linger over the coffee in this quiet, tranquil part of town.

Breakfast costs $3.30, but the Electronic Road Pricing charges I pay to get there in the morning add up to $6.

To experience old Singapore, you have to navigate new Singapore.

Where: Heap Seng Leong, Block 10 North Bridge Road, 01-5109MRT: Bugis Open: 5am - 6.30pm daily

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THAI WONTON TREAT

Anyone who has had wonton noodles in Bangkok will be struck by how unadorned it is. The noodles are tossed in a bit of oil, nothing like the versions here, which might have dark and/or light soya sauces, sesame oil, sambal and even ketchup mixed into it.

In Singapore, a coffee shop stall in Ang Mo Kio is selling simple, satisfying bowls of Thai-style wonton noodles. Its name, Soi 19 Thai Wanton Mee, makes reference to the popular SabX2, a stall located at Soi Petchburi 19 in Bangkok's Pratunam area.

While standing in line - there is always one, even just after the opening time of 7.15am - I see that the owner has put up photos of himself with the blond mohawked SabX2 noodle seller.

The noodles ($3.50 or $5) are not as springy as in Thailand, but they have a delightful simplicity, being tossed in what tastes like garlic oil. Those who must have condiments can load up on chilli flakes, sliced chillies and fish sauce, laid out at the stall.

I help myself only to sinful, delightful cubes of crunchy lard. The noodles are topped with slices of char siew and two pieces of waxed sausage, both not bad but unremarkable, and two plump fried wontons, which are good.

Two more dumplings are served in soup and these manage to be cloudlike yet substantial.

The stall opens only on some days of the week, so check its Facebook page to find out when it is safe to go.

Where: Soi 19 Thai Wanton Mee, Block 151 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5MRT: Yio Chu Kang Open:7.15am - 3.30pm Info: To find out which days it is open, go towww.facebook.com/pages/Soi-19-Thai-Wanton-Mee/511834992185973

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GREEN TEASE

The pages of green tea drinks and desserts make it difficult to settle on just one thing at Nana's Green Tea, a Japanese restaurant at The Atrium at Orchard that serves passable food and terrific drinks and desserts.

I finally pick Matcha Anmitsu ($8.80), a combination of matcha kanten jelly topped with mochi balls, a dollop of red bean paste and a scoop of matcha ice cream.

There is a little jug of brown sugar syrup to drizzle over the dessert. Matcha is bitter so the temptation is to sweeten it. Good thing Nana's reins in the sugar.

The jelly is not the least bit sweet and the red bean only marginally so. Ditto the ice cream and the syrup. Every spoonful offers varied textures: creamy ice cream, lightly chewy mochi balls, soft red bean paste and springy jelly.

It is the perfect dessert in every way.

Where: Nana's Green Tea, 03-80/82 The Atrium at Orchard, Plaza Singapura MRT: Dhoby Ghaut Tel: 6684-4312 Open:11am - 10pm daily

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-- PHOTOS: TAN HSUEH YUN, CURRY TIMES, NANA'S GREEN TEA

HEALTHY CURRY

After a lunch at Curry Times, I am surprised and very pleased to find that I have not sunk into a post-curry stupor. The curry, my friend tells me, is not thickened with coconut milk.

The chain, run by curry puff company Old Chang Kee, uses milk instead, resulting in a much lighter dish.

Yet, the gravy is thick and aromatic enough that I do not miss the coconut milk.

To wash it all down, try Coffee Chendol ($3.90), a mashup of two of my favourite things.

The coffee has coconut milk and gula melaka added to it, and is topped with red beans and green chendol strips.

It makes perfect sense, with the coffee giving a delicious dessert extra oomph.

Where: Curry Times, 02-33/34 Novena Square MRT: NovenaTel: 6354-3206 Open: 9am - 10pm daily

e_ting's Hong Kong list

Source: e_ting's Hong Kong list

The best restaurants in Hong Kong are sometimes inside closet-like spaces...

If you've ever called/emailed/tweeted me about where to eat in Hong Kong, here's more or less the list you would've seen. I've copied and pasted it here, with a little more detail added. I'll try to update as often as possible/relevant. Note that I've tried to keep my notes short to keep it an easy to read 'list', but if you want more details, just ask. Links will take you to addresses either in Openrice, one of my previous posts, or to my Facebook photos (usually with notes of some sort). (And I haven't had time to link everything, so please do a search on Openrice).

As this list is intended for visitors, most places are easy to get to, though not all are on an average visitor's trail. One day I will split them up into "easy/not so easy to get to", but until then...

For the hot spanking new (but not necessarily wow), you might also like to check out the Heatmaps I did for Eater in January, April and December 2012, July and December 2013, June 2014.

To reiterate: this is a work in progress. Am I an idiot for having left something out? Tell me - comment away!

Traditional Cantonese
Seventh Son - top Fook Lam Moon alumni. Cantonese perfection.
One Harbour Road - all round favourite for service, food and views.
Lung King Heen - the only 3-Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant in the world etc. but the hype has real substance - food, service, ambiance, view - all tops! Book way ahead.
Yan Toh Heen - textbook good, and plus it has a great view
Kin's Kitchen - family-run with hard-to-find Cantonese specialties. Protip: they can do gluten-free with prior arrangement.
Sang Kee - rough n' ready but so delish. Fried cuttlefish! (Not to be confused with the congee place in Sheung Wan)
The Chairman - MSG-free, careful sourcing, traditional techniques. I haven't been back in a while. Worryingly, I keep hearing mixed reports.
Ming Court - great Cantonese classics. Yes, it's in a hotel, but you won't be among tourists.
Celebrity Cuisine - quality, skillful Cantonese fare.
Kimberley Chinese Restaurant - that pig!

Dim Sum
Seventh Son - see above
Duddell's - they do more than dim sum, but dim sum is the best part. Pricey but classy. Beautiful space.
Lin Heung (this links to a post from my early days of food blogging, so please excuse the other random crap on that blog...) - it's old school, and the food is rough n' ready. Some people prefer the newer carbon copy Lin Heung Kui on the corner of Queens St. Each to their own, but either way, go at breakfast-time.
Jade Garden, House of Jasmine - owned by the Maxim's group, these are slightly finer versions of what you'd get at Maxim's City Hall (which is notoriously difficult to get into and not that great, but a decent, 'tame' pushcart experience with nice big windows and a view... ish). However, I can only recommend the outlet at Star House (JG) and Harbour City (HoJ), quality at others can be inconsistent.
Fu Sing - a lot of people like this place and swear by its char siu. I'm not such a fan, but it's ok all-round. Have the baked char siu buns though. One gripe - they don't (always) do steamed rice paper rolls.
West Villa - Fairly consistent, above average, very busy, great char siu.
Tim Ho Wan - ok, it's not the "best dim sum ever" and the Michelin star is a joke, but for those lower-than-low prices, it's very good, as long as you don't mind waiting for about an hour for a table. There's a branch above Hong Kong Station - nice initiation for new arrivals, or a great snack for the wait at the airport (tip: get takeaway to avoid the queue). Original in Mong Kok branch has moved to Olympic - branches in Sham Shui Po, HK station, North Point and possibly more...

Organic/Slow food/New Chinese
Yin Yang - Margaret Xu's now-famous locavore act in a four-storey heritage building. Only a few tables (considered a private kitchen, but not anymore in my books - it's ground level and open to walk-ins at lunch). The food isn't pinnacle has become much, much better, book in for dinner.
The Chairman - not exactly organic but back to basics - farm-to-table, locavore, no MSG, traditional ingredients and recipes (to an extent). Pre-order the gum chin gai.
Mott 32 - Sichuan, Cantonese, Pekingese and a bit of Taiwanese thrown in. It has the kind of achingly hip setting that foodies love to hate, except the food is legit. (And the cocktails are pretty darned good too)
Ho Lee Fook & Little Bao - see Modern Asian below.

Beijing
Tai Fung Lau Peking Restaurant - Tsim Sha Tsui, enter on Hart Ave - traditional hot pot (shua yang rou) - i.e. pots with chimneys. They do duck here too but it's not their forte
Kowloon Tang - Elements (the mall above Kowloon Airport Express Station). The best Peking duck I've probably ever had (including in Beijing). The other dishes are Canto though.
Spring Deer - old school fatty Peking duck with ancient, grumpy waiters
Peking Garden - The Alexandra House branch is still my bet in HK for a leaner, super-crisp Peking duck

Shanghainese/Suzhou/Hangzhou/Ningbo (sorry if I've offended anyone by clumping these together - forgive me, I'm an ignorant Cantonese person. No, seriously, Chinese provincial fare is so bastardised here, they're almost the same thing)
Zhe Jiang Heen - The story goes - some rich dudes got sick of the traffic jams in Central just to get to the Shanghai Fraternity (see above) and decided to open their own place in Wanchai with chefs they trust. The food here is consistently excellent. Pre-order the hongshao rou with squid.
Snow Garden - old school Shanghainese done well. Many of HK's Shanghainese chefs trained there.
Shanghai Garden - nothing too exciting, reliable and relatively easy to book on weekends. My family are regulars.
Hong Zhou - super old school, a bit grubby but very likeable.
Shanghai Fraternity Association - private kitchen/club. Best you know someone or have a good concierge to secure a table.
Xiao Nan Guo - cheap and cheerful with good xiaolongbao -not quite as amazing as Din Tai Fung's but half the wait (at least). Cute desserts too.

Sichuan
San Xi Lou - Central/Mid-levels - mala (numbingly hot) hot pot and trad Sichuan dishes, don't order from non-Sichuan menu.
Sijie - private kitchen run by Sichuanese, near Times Square in Causeway Bay. Owner (Sijie) is a hoot - I dare you to down a (BYO) beer with her at the end of service!
Yun Yan - modern Sichuan done well
Da Ping Huo is a private kitchen for those who want atmos and hospitality. The chef (wife) usually comes out and sings opera at the end; the husband is the maitre d' of sorts and is a painter. You're generally well looked after by jovial staff. Just don't go expecting "real" Sichuan food. It's been modernised, or (HK-ised?) but still very tasty.

Chiu chow (or Teochew to Singaporeans/Malaysians)
Sheung Hing (or Shung Hing)

Hot Pot (aka steamboat)
There are plenty around town for every budget. The main thing for me is the quality of ingredients.
Da Hong Pao
Megan's Kitchen (they have a decent English menu, and therefore (maybe) you'll bump into a few expats)
San Xi Lou (see Sichuan)

Classic French
Gaddi's - Peninsula Hotel TST - very trad, some would even say it's camp, with its frills, gilding and all. Best for the very reasonably priced set lunch for around HK$400. As far as I know Robuchon and Capricealso do reasonably-priced lunch sets. I've personally been to Robuchon and find it to be very good, but for the price, I'd still go to Gaddi's for the whole hog (sterling service). Anyway, L'Atelier discussions shouldn't go under classic French...
Petrus - camper than camp, but generally you're assured very good food.

Contemporary European and/or French
Amber - Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Central - I've had some truly awesome meals there. One of the first places in HK to cook contemporary European to an international level.
NUR - sort of new Nordic, well executed with a firm vision for sustainable & local ingredients.
Serge et Le Phoque - super fun, casual vibe and sophisticated food in the middle of Wanchai market. There's nothing quite like it in HK.
The Principal - young chef doing interesting things; developing his own voice with firm technique.
St Betty - Shane Osborn (ex-2 Michelin-starred Pied a Terre in London) is behind the stoves. Nuff said.
L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon - JR needs no introduction, but I must say that his Salon de The downstairs (and now at IFC and Elements) does one of the best sandwich deals in town.
Caprice
Mandarin Grill - a classic. Some say it's changed for the worse since molecular influences by Exec Chef Uwe Opocensky came on board, but I still quite like it - usually nothing to fault from a technical level, and the service is tops. Since the crazy inflation our city's been seeing, The Grill is actually now a good deal for fine dining.

"On a lower budget" Western
The Salted Pig - great for big groups, super low-key, comfort food type dishes. The rib rack (cutlet-esque) is always good, and I like that desserts are no afterthought.
Linguini Fini - American Italian, homemade everything including house-cured salumi etc. to varying success, but the pastas are a great deal nonetheless. Uses as much local (organic/sustainable) produce as possible, even pork.
Stone Nullah Tavern - "New American" food on small sharing plates - from chicken fried steak to fennel salad, and beyond. Operated by the same group as Linguini Fini, not quite as cheap, but still cheerful and relatively light on the wallet. Same focus on local, organic, produce, so menu changes sseasonally. Cool vibe.
La Parole - a social enterprise well worth supporting, good food for the price too.
Butcher's Club Burger - dry-aged beef burgers in an increasingly happening part of Wanchai.

Italian
Otto e Mezzo Bombana - expensive but delicious, especially the pasta and that ribeye for two. Book well ahead, especially now that it has 3 tyres.
Giando - steer clear of the pizza, and you'll be fine. Good for business lunch, smart-casual date night and larger groups (they have a nice round table that seats about 10).

Spanish
Catalunya - think elBulli-school of Spanish, with a business model like Robuchon - voila.

Tapeo - Decent classic Tapas in Central and Sai Wan Ho

Comilonas - one-table-only private kitchen good for large groups (min 10, max 20). Operated by super-friendly couple Carrie and Lluis (Lluis is from Catalonia), who can customise a menu for you, and best of all, it's well-priced, there's no corkage, and the food is delish - exactly what a private kitchen should be.

Miscellaneous Western
Blue Butcher - right, so they don't exactly like to be called a steakhouse, and I guess they have a point - very good dishes all round, from pigeon to pudding.
Ta Pantry - a private kitchen. Not entirely western - Esther, the chef, has a few menus, they're all comfort/fusion-ish, with great flavour combinations.
Grand Hyatt Steakhouse
Steak House at the InterContinental Hotel - Probably the best steaks in town, but I hope you're not paying!
Gold - comfort contemporary American. Big, bold flavours, when you're in the mood for melted cheese on your veal chop and the like.
Bistecca - A decently-priced Italian steakhouse. That said, for the size and decor of the place, in any other city it would be a neighbourhood restaurant, but they sure charge above that.
Shore - they have their own dry-ageing room and everything, so if you're into that and are in finance, you'll feel right at home... Us plebs just go and eat.

Bar food
If you like to drink and eat...
Ronin - even if you don't drink, the modern Japanese food is sublime. If you do drink, then all the better! Huge range of whiskies, great cocktails. Not really fair to call it a "bar" as dinner would easily run you HK$1k.
Caprice Bar - brilliant cheeses, wines and ultra-knowledgeable staff (and yes, that's Caprice, the fine diner at the Four Seasons).
121BC - Italian-via-Sydney wine bar and bistro
The bar at Il Milione - gin-focused drinks, and they have a separate bar menu.
Ted's Lookout - drinks are so-so, the American bar food is pretty good if you're in the mood for sliders and the like. Be prepared to fight for seats with hipsters.
Butler - Japanese precision. (See bars) Ok, the food isn't great - it's sort of Japanese western, think spaghetti with cream and mentaiko - but they also always have very good jamon.

Modern Asian
Ronin - modern Japanese, not strictly sushi/sashimi, by the crew behind Yardbird. (see Bars with food)

Little Bao - bao-based menu, but don't think Momofuku, because LB is so much more in tune with the Asian palate.
Ho Lee Fook - You could call it Modern Chinese, but it got plenty of Southeast Asian touches too. Forget the label, it's just damn good food. The Wagyu short ribs are killer.

Thai
Chachawan - The only Thai that isn't Chinese-ified and that I can heartily recommend in HK. It's Isaan food - so be prepared for lots of extremely spicy dishes.

Korean
Won Pung Won - one of many little Korean-owned and run restaurant in TST, but I like that their food is fresh and not over-sauced, and that they have everything from BBQ to shabu-shabu (sorry I don't know what the Korean name for it is - the servers here call it that too!) to standard, hearty dishes like galbi jim.
Jun-Ko - family-style and one of my favourites. A handy pre-theatre dinner spot as it's close to the Arts Centre etc. Ask for the "raw" kimchi.
Lee's Family Chicken (also known as Chicken Hof & Soju) - three words: Korean Fried Chicken.
Fairyland - also very good Korean Fried Chicken, better than Lee's even, but doesn't take bookings and only has about 30 seats. Go as off peak as possible.
Kaya - Russell St, Causeway Bay - BBQ.
Myeongdong Express - looks like a student canteen, and probably is, given its relative proximity to the Polytechnic University. Cheap and cheerful.
Go Koong - [link goes to photos on FB page] fancy menu with a gazillion things, all pretty decent.
Cheong-Jin Dong - both CJD and Go Koong are decent go-tos for Korean, CJD is probably slightly cheaper.

Sushi & Sashimi
Kenjo - omakase is super pricey ($1000+ per head), but if you're not too hungry and order from the menu you can come out only $400 lighter
Sushi Sase - top of my "high end Japanese to go to" list, I've not been yet, but have only heard good things.
Sushi Kuu - "No, OMG, I cannot leave Central!" sushi place. Decently priced for the location and quality (above average).
Sushi Shota for decent sushi and kushiyaki for $200-300 per head (not incl. drinks), Causeway Bay
Great Asia in Wanchai who started off as seafood distributors so their sashimi is good value. Cooked food is less exciting. Decor is pretty weird (fluoro-lit diner meets HK-style quasi-Japanese)
Sushi Shikon (ex-Sushi Yoshitake) - I've yet to blow HK$3k on a meal here, but reports have been stellar.

Ramen
Sapporo - it's been here way before the ramen craze, and still holds its own despite the sudden slew of new competition. Moved from Exchange Square to ground level on Connaught Rd. As the name suggests, it's northern and hearty. They have shio and shoyu tares too, but I'd suggest going with the classic Sapporo style with miso. They even have a miso one with a slice of butter on top!
Yachiyo - Moved from the location mentioned in the blog. Won't change your life, but very decent. Classic tares like shio, shoyu and miso, plus spicy miso (which isn't actually spicy...). More Tokyo-style than the now-popular Hakata style.
Daruma - a rich but very drinkable tonkotsu soup. Dogs welcome and bookings taken.
Ramen Jo
Rasupermen & Raironmen
Ichiran - 24h, heavy Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen, perfect post-party nosh.

You may have heard about Butao and Ippudo. Well, if you're going to Japan any time soon, don't bother with any ramen place in HK, but if you're not - well, ok, knock yourself out, but please, just don't say something stupid like "it's the best ramen in the world" - as you'll see from my post about Ippudo in Fukuoka, Hong Kong ramen is nothing. And I really don't get the ramen craze, which is sadly still going on (albeit more slowly).

Udon
Inaniwa Udon Nabe - at Elements. When you need a quickish meal of proper food (and popcorn at the cinema does not count). Very decent, silky, "al dente" udon.

Izakaya / yakiniku / yakitori / kushiyaki
Kusuya Rakuen - izakaya/sake bar. Very casual Okinawan fare, large awamori and sake selection. The bar is the reason I go - it's probably my favourite place to sit in the whole of Hong Kong. Serious. I've never put it on the blog because they're packed as hell already and to make matters worse, have recently shortened their opening hours (1am weekdays, midnight Sat - go figure). Boo.
Yardbird - yakitori (mostly chicken). House-infused sakes, etc., a neighbourhood hang turned the hottest opening of 2011, by ex-Zuma chef Matt Abergel.
Kushiyaki Beco - a casual, neighbourhood-y skewers joint with a focus on beef and other cow bits. Sweetmeat your cuppa? Bingo.
Nantei - before yakitori was hip, there was Nantei. Don't think it's not going to be crowded though, the place only sits about 20 people tops. Book.
Hoka Hoka - if you ever find yourself in a back alley of TST East (I won't judge), hungry for some Japanese bar food and sake - here you go. Full of Japanese businessmen.

Old School HK style
Tai Ping Koon - east-meets-west, kitschy 1950s style. This was considered 'western' food to HKers in the 40's. They're most famous for their chicken wings poached in sweet soy sauce and huge souffles. several branches, I like the ones on Pak Sha Rd, Causeway Bay, and Granville Rd, TST. Decor at Granville is more interesting - timewarp 50s deco.
Australian Dairy Company - not for everyone, and nothing to do with Australia! (See my Openrice review via link)
Kung Wo - tofu paradise, if you're venturing out to Sham Shui Po.

Vegetarian
Grassroots Pantry - one of the cutest restaurants in HK, helmed by a passionate team who use local organic produce as much as possible and are very committed to sustainability. They've opened Prune Deli & Workshop next door too. Love the sweet treats in particular.
Lok Cha Teahouse - in Hong Kong Park (walk up from Pacific Place, Admiralty) for tea and dim sum in a quaint setting. The dim sum is passable
Three Virtues - bustling, very "local" veg dim sum place. Things get a bit oily, but pretty tasty. North Point (and branches)
Harvester - pay-by-weight lunch spot in Sheung Wan
Amy's Vegetarian - private kitchen if you can ever get a booking
Veggie Palace - also a private kitchen, less difficult to book, in Wanchai.
Vegelink - another veg private kitchen that comes highly recommended. North Point.
Cafe Causette - not a veg restaurant, but a nice selection of perfectly executed and interesting enough vegetarian food, at the Mandarin Oriental
Life Cafe - the Soho standby for your quinoa and salad fix.
Mana! - a newer "fast food" joint by the folks behind Life Cafe.
If you're looking for fine dining, call ahead and St Betty can almost definitely accommodate, as long as you don't mind people around you having steak and the like.

Private Kitchens
Some are mentioned above under their respective cuisines - just grouping them all together again...
Ta Pantry - see Miscellaneous Western
Comilonas - see Spanish
Seema's Private Kitchen
Mandy's Private Kitchen
Sijie - see Sichuan
Amy's Vegetarian - see Vegetarian
Veggie Palace - see Vegetarian
Plantation - sort of a private kitchen, but more a slow-life clubhouse. Really unique for HK, by the creator of Teakha (see Patisseries below). Get updates via their Facebook Page.
Butcher's Club - exactly the meatfest they sound like, specialising in dry-aged beef.

Brunch (this has stayed pretty empty, because honestly, I prefer dim sum for brunch with friends!)
St Betty - a proper Australian cafe-style brunch, perfectly done. On Sundays they do a delicious Sunday roast (but remember to book ahead).
Amber - I always get sick after their weekend wine lunch, but I always go back. I think that tells you something.
Common Ground - simple food in a hipster PoHo.
IPC Foodlab - local and organic focus. Dinner is still hit/miss, but brunch is hard to get wrong if you have good ingreds, which they do.
Teakha - see Patisseries
Open Kitchen (ex-Simply Life) at ifc - BAD coffee, but a great place to sit for brunch/lunch, with passable salad boxes, sandwiches and danishes - pretty much the same view as Isola and Four Seasons lobby, but at 1/2 the price!

Patisseries/Sweet things 
Teakha - scones, Asian teas, and the cutest terrace.
Via Tokyo - hojicha soft serve! (Hopefully it'll be on the permanent menu!)
Lab Made - nitrogen ice cream place. Nothing new tech-wise anymore, but I like that they go for very "Hong Kong" flavours like beancurd skin and gingko sweet soup, and condensed milk toast. Some misses though, like lemon Ribena (too milky).
Po's Atelier - Japanese-French-ish
Sift - dessert bar, cake shop and probably Hong Kong's best cupcakes. Sit-down in Graham St original, cafe in Princes Building (both Central), and takeaway in Wan Chai.

Mandarin Cake shop (not Landmark Mandarin) - you can also sit in now. Gobstopping sugar art on show; great cakes, pastries and bread; rose petal jam makes a great souvenir.

Xiao Tian Gu - Hokkaido milk puddings!!
Xi Yan Sweets - modern Chinese-ish desserts

Coffee - an expanded version here, but even that is out of date now. So many cafes have opened recently, even I can't keep up, which is a very good thing.
Knockbox - in Mong Kok, helmed by barista champs, "serious" new wave coffee.
Barista Jam - Sheung Wan
18 Grams - Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui (little concession counter in CitySuper). The folks must have been trained in Oz, cause they serve flat whites! Sadly the super cute Causeway Bay location will have to shut very soon due to rent.
Coffee Assembly - Elgin St. One of HK's first boutique roasters, though I think their roasts (in general) lack a bit of depth.
Cafe Corridor - sister store of Assembly, on Russell St, Causeway Bay, opp. Times Square
RabbitHole Coffee - looks like a warehouse/lab, siphon, espresso, drip and more. [link goes to FB photo album] next to the escalators in Central, and now also in Wanchai (a few snacks available in Wanchai)
Unar Coffee - hipsters unite! Tai Hang, and cute outlet in the Star Ferry Pier on Tsim Sha Tsui side.
Cafe Loisl - Vienna in Sheung Wan/Mid-levels
Coco Espresso - Queen's Rd, Sheung Wan, and new shop in Wanchai
Crema - one of HK's first 'real' coffee places, but due to hidden/inconvenient location in TST East, lack of PR and coffee knowledge of the public, has never had as much great press as the likes of Fuel Espresso. They only use 1 blend.
Xen - specialises in siphon coffee, a bit out of the way in Quarry Bay (bad rhyme unintentional).
Espresso Alchemy - also in Quarry Bay, and the only place for a proper espresso-based drink out there at the moment.

Afternoon Tea

Clipper Lounge at the Mandarin Oriental
InterContinental Lobby Lounge - the view! The view! And good food too.
Jean-Paul Hevin - the Lyndhurst branch is cuter. Bring me a Guayaquil and I will just about do anything.
Teakha (see Patisseries)

Bread
Probably not as much of a concern to visitors, but we are definitely seeing the rise of artisanal breads here and it's worth noting. I don't know about you, but I rely very much on bakeries when I'm travelling alone for a quick carby snack.
Levain - one of the only homegrown, independent bakeries in town (another is Tufei Pain Pain but their selection is too small).
Po's Atelier (see Patisseries)
Salon de The de Joel Robuchon - as mentioned above, best sandwich deal in town, but also great cakes and baguettes
Mandarin Cake Shop - if you need a large loaf, like a sourdough rye, call ahead so they can hold one for you because by the afternoon they're sold out. I like their wholewheat croissants too. They have seats if you want to stop for a coffee (but go regular/brewed, not espresso-based)
Bread Elements - ex-Four Seasons pastry chefs, dedicated to their craft. Buy retail from Chez Patrick Deli.

Misc local eats
Wonton noodles
Mak's on Wing Kut St, Sheung Wan (nb. this is different to the Mak's that most people go to and that you may already be familiar with, which is on Wellington St). This Mak's is the "original" Mak's son; the famous Mak's is his son-in-law and grandson.
Chee Kei - a very reliable chain.

Cha Chaan Teng - ie. local-style cafes
Kam Fung - the quintessential HKer's afternoon tea is a flaky egg tart and a HK-style milk tea, and one of the best places to get it is here. Wanchai.
Honolulu - my vote for best egg tarts in HK at their Wanchai branch.
Capital Cafe - for a less gritty CCT experience, full of Cantopop posters, also in Wanchai
Australia Dairy Company - see Old School HK
Lan Fong Yuen - junky (but SO tasty) instant noodles with pan-fried chicken, also famed for HK-style milk tea, but it isn't as good as For Kee's, imo. Whatever weird stuff they do with chicken thigh, I love.
For Kee - (old: Part I / Part II [n.b. Part I links to an old, short round-up, in which I say the Sheung Wan ain't worth the good rep it's got for good, cheap food. Okay, so SW's not the best, but I take the "not so great" comment back. I've now grown to love SW, especially For Kee - evident in Part II, in which I call For Kee a "gem". Sheesh, inconsistent bloggers.]) For Kee shouldn't really go under the CCT section, but then again, they do a great milk tea. Their claim to fame is pork chop - it's simply marinated in soy sauce, sugar etc., home style, and pan-fried. Have it on rice, soup noodles or soup macaroni, with choi sum (vegetables), eggs, tomato (and/or - you're the boss!). After about 2pm, they also do pork chop burgers (chop, tomato and mayo - I usually tell them not to put mayo in - personal pref).  

Dai Pai Dong - eating at sit-down street stalls (read more about the evolution of dai pai dong here)
Ball Kee -'Western' fried rice and other fried rice and noodles. Excellent 'wok hei' (breath of the wok). In a tiny alley off Hollywood Rd, diagonally opposite Lin Heung. Woks right next to you, barking waitress lady, brilliant.
Sing Heung Yuen - macaroni in tinned tomato soup and beef omelet? Yep. It's not for everyone. Australia Dairy (see Old School, above) does macaroni in clear soup with processed ham. It's a HK thing.
Chan Sei Kee - classic DPD experience, better at dinner when they cook individual family-style dishes (usually at lunch it's just spam and eggs on rice)
So Kee - the "French" toast is ridic. Another Sham Shui Po gem.

Roasted meats
Yat Lok - roast goose!
Joy Hing - char siu and siu yuk (crispy roast pork) are my faves here. Ask for fatty char siu ("fei cha") if you like it, otherwise the default is lean.

Beef brisket noodles
Sister Wah - clear soup brisket. Better than the famous Kau Kee in my opinion. KK's too fatty and their powdery curry makes me choke.

Congee
Law Fu Kee - several outlets in Central, and they do deep-fried wontons! (It's a real Chinese thing!)
Sang Kee - Sheung Wan, not to be confused with the Cantonese restaurant in Wan Chai.

Street food
Gai daan zai - I don't really like street food at the stalls on street corners in HK, except for this waffle thing that has protruding oval/egg shapes instead of the standard square/checks. Called 'gai daan zai' and it's a dying art - they just don't make them like they used to. But there are a couple of places that are decent. Note that the Granville guy has moved a little across the street, down towards Chatham Rd - (do check the comments too for more suggestions from more gai daan zai lovers!). And this one, if you're heading to the eastern part of the island, is a must.

Egg Tarts
Honolulu - my pick for best puff pastry egg tarts in HK is the Wanchai branch.
Tai Cheong - shortcrust egg tarts. Also try their version of donuts - "sa yoong"
Saint Honore - a local bakery chain. Shops with ovens in-house will have warmed shortcrust tarts all day. So easy, so good.

Bars - I put together a map of some of my current favourites here.
Wyndham the 4th - creative and meticulous drinks by Hong Kong's World Class Bartender of the Year 2012 Winner Tom Wood. Check out the one that incorporates roasted goose fat from Yung Kee.
L'etage - Another Japanese bar in Causeway Bay, to replace Yu-zen (gone downhill since Butler - see below) and Executive Bar (so serious it can be scary). Could have a larger (a higher quality) selection of pours though.
Butler - Japanese bar - precision cocktails like the well-known Executive Bar but a slightly younger, less scary atmos. You'll still pay through your nose for a drink, but it's the only place to get a proper cocktail on Kowloon side and for that alone it deserves triple-choc-brownie points.
Il Milione - They specialise in negronis and other forgotten or old fashioned drinks. Swanky bar with a small food menu.
Mandarin Grill + Bar - don't mistake the lounge outside the restaurant for a mere waiting room. Their dry martinis are spot-on, and the warmed, spiced nuts don't hurt either(that sounds kind of weird - anyway). Usually has space when other Central spots are full.
001 - speakeasy owned by a liquor store. Love their whisky sour and grilled cheese sandwiches. No photos, and increasingly, an attitude, sigh.
Socialito - lethal, delicious cocktails.
Lobby Lounge at the InterContinental - if you don't mind the lobby atmos (though it's recently been renovated and has a more demure tone) and live band - it's one of the best places for a eye-level, front-row harbour view (like being on a ferry without the wind, humidity and sea sickness) and the food & drink ain't too shabby either.
Duddell's - a short and sweet cocktail list, but pretty pricey. Beautiful space.
The Globe - a proper pub and the place to go for craft beers.
The Chinnery - a true classic at the (original) Mandarin Oriental. Think pub crossed with cigar room in a fancy private club, with brilliant, hearty food (think Brit curry) as well as an awesome single malt collection.
Mott 32 - see 'New Chinese".