Hong Kong

The featured local food of Hong Kong is dim sum, literally "touch the heart", and is found in all areas of Hong Kong. Upon entering a dim sum restaurant, you are seated and trolleys of small plates containing small portions which may include meat, seafood, fruit and deserts. Chinese restaurants in America offer adaptations of dim sum which may be called spring rolls, pot stickers, dumplings or won ton. When finished, your bill is calculated by adding the number of empty dishes at your table or the number of stamps on your check. Dishes with two plates under them are twice the basic charge.

Your ship docks at Ocean Terminal in South Kowloon, perhaps the most convenient cruise terminal in the world. The Star Ferry terminal is just next door offering inexpensive trips to Central Hong Kong as well as harbor tours.

Jade Garden

Across from the Star Ferry Pier

From Port: Almost next door. Turn right after leaving Ocean Terminal. Walk south to Salisbury Road, and left to Star House, take escalator up to 4th Level. Opens at 11 AM.

Review: Great views across Victoria Harbor to Central. Excellent introduction to dim sum. The dishes are not served from trolleys but rather one fills out a paper form in English and waiters bring the individual dishes. Some items are on illustrated menus. 10% service included so tipping is not necessary. Full bar. $

Steamed Shrimp and Vegetable Dumpling (US$ 4)

Deep Fried Shrimp Dumpling (US$ 4)
Garlic-chili Sauce and Soy Sauce

Deep Fried Spring Roll (US$ 3.50) and Deep Fried Chicken With Almonds (US$ 7)

Genki Sushi
Shop G7-G9, East Ocean Centre.

All over. Ten locations in Kowloon. Look for the angry face cartoon.

From Port: Directly across from Ocean Terminal.

Review: Genki is a very popular sushi chain with very reasonable prices for good, tho' not exceptional sushi. The small plates travel a conveyor in front of your seat, the color of the plate's edge indicating the price from US$ 1.25 to US$ 5. Large illustrated menus allow you to order your favorites if they are not conveyed to you.

Drinks, including beer, are brought by a server. You make your own green tea using a hot water dispenser at each bar position.

Our favorites were the seared jumbo scallop, tempura shrimp and Genki roll. A variety of hand rolls, sashimi and miso soups are also available. $

Genki Sushi

Interior

Street Food

All over.

Review: About 6 AM along "Bar Street" and many other venues are a variety of take-away kiosks serving staggering partiers heading home, early risers and office workers heading in. A variety of noodle shops offer Singapore noodles, steamed dumplings and much more along with pastry shops offering a wide variety of fresh Danish and cheese and meat filled delicacies. Coffee and tea also available. $

Not all street food is found on the street. We enjoyed a bowl of shrimp and pork won ton with noodles in soup on the second level of a mall alongside many locals on their way to work. Eat like a local. $

Singapore Noodles With Shrimp

Serenade Chinese Restaurant
Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 1st Floor (up one flight)
10 Salisbury Road

From Port: See above.

Review: Less expensive with beautiful views of Victoria Harbor. $

Peking Garden

Star House, 3rd Floor
3 Salisbury Road

From Port: See above.

Review: Beijing Duck is a specialty, a superb example of fine Chinese cuisine. $$

Whampoa Gourmet Place
Site 8, Hung Hom in the Wonder Worlds of Whampoa shopping complex.

From Port: A short taxi ride.

Review: This 40,000 square foot dining complex offers a myriad of dining establishments such as they were in the 1940s. You're bound to find one or more that appeal to you. There are also several Western style places - Pizza Hut, Outback, Starbucks... But stick with Asian - Chinese, Thai, Japanese and Korean. $-$$

Peking Restaurant

227 Nathan Road, 1st Floor

From Port: Walk out to Canton Road, right to Salisbury Road, left on Nathan Road.

Review: Again Beijing Duck is a specialty. Dishes come in small, medium or large portions. Be careful that you don't order too much. We wound up "sharing" some dishes with people at the next table. $$

Lin Heung

160-164 Wellington Street, Central
852-2544-4556

From Port: Take the Star Ferry to Central and consult your map of Hong Kong. It's just a few blocks.

Review: Lin Hueng, which means Fragrant Lotus, opened in the 1920s and is one of the last old-style Hong Kong tea houses. Shabby but satisfying. Shared seating, so have what they are having. $$

Sushi One

23 Ashley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

From Port: Walk out to Canton Road, right to Peking Road, left on Ashley Road.

Review: A very popular, loud, fun place, particularly after 10 PM when all sushi is half price. $$