From steamy seafood pots to satisfying noodles, these cold weather fixes will leave you warmed up and ready for the rumoured snowfall later this week
Despite Hong Kong’s subtropical climate, winters here are not exactly sunshine and blue skies. Given the high humidity and a record-breaking rainfall this January, dining out can feel like a chore. Luckily, restaurants around the city have created a fantastic range of winter specials as the temperatures continue to drop. From steamy seafood pots to satisfying noodles, these cold weather fixes will leave you warmed up and ready for the rumoured snowfall this week. Look out for the seven outstanding dishes below.
Mak Mak
With ingredients including potatoes, shallots and peanuts, the aromatic curry broth of Mak Mak's Massaman lamb makes an excellent companion to slow-cooked lamb shank. The tinge of cinnamon is reminiscent of the taste of mulled apple ciders that hit the market in the autumn.
Mak Mak, Shop 217 A, 2/F Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong; +852 2983-1003
Chesa
There’s nary a meal more evocative of wintertime than a classic cheese fondue. Chesa’s Gruyère and Vacherin Fribourgeoise fondue features sumptuous Swiss cheeses and baguette chunks, and the mixture remains consistently hot throughout the meal.
Chesa, 1/F, The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Koko
Every grain of rice in this endlessly satisfying uni and king crab hotpot at Koko is soaked in seafood broth. Bits of crab and uni are mixed in to elevate the concoction from tasty to heavenly.
Koko, 5/F, 77 Wyndham Street, Central, Central, Hong Kong
Lily & Bloom
The preparation process of head chef Billy Otis' lobster mac 'n' cheese is truly a sight to behold: a splash of cognac is first ignited and poured into a Parmesan cheese bowl, allowing the blue flames to swirl around the enormous hollowed centre. The mac ‘n’ cheese is then tossed in and mixed with the melting Parmesan interiors. Finally, a half portion of cooked red lobster completes the picture. You’ll be all heated up from just the excitement of the display.
Lily & Bloom, 5/F and 6/F LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central, Central, Hong Kong
The Drunken Pot
A little bit of booze never fails to warm up the body. At this newly opened restaurant, classic hotpot broths such as spicy Sichuan and medicinal chicken and fish maw get a kick from innovative sake infusions.
The Drunken Pot, 2/F, 8 Observatory Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, +852 2321-9038
Shiki Zen
Slurp up the hand-crafted noodles, which are prepared in the restaurant every morning. The delicious mentaiko (spicy cod roe) is meant to be enjoyed with the molten yolk of the onsen egg and umami-rich broth
Shiki Zen, 29/F Soundwill Plaza II Midtown, 1 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay; +852 2970-3218
Tartine
The black truffle sandwich features a fragrant black truffle layer and buttery brioche, this hearty sandwich feels like a deluxe version of the beloved grilled cheese.
Tartine, 38-42 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central