GagaHoHo 家家戶戶 [Hong Kong] - Welcoming Homely Korean Set Meals, most Under or Around HKD $100

 Gagahoho is a home style Korean Restaurant,  which specializes in 1 person set lunch or dinners.  This suits me well as sometimes we might be eating by ourselves at special hours,  but can't be ordering too much food for sharing with friends.  It has now been revamped with a newer menu, and currently they are also doing a Korean Seollal New Year.

The Space is Homely and Attracts the Same Customers,
who Appreciate this non-pretentious Dining atmosphere -

Korean New Years Fried Sticky Rice with Caster Sugar dip -
Given to customers for Chinese and Korean New Year period

Kimbap - $42
More vegetarian based than meat, this narrower roll is more homely 'Ajumma' style to me. ~ 5.5/10

Spicy Pork Bulgogi Set - HKD $88
This came with some Banchan, Soup, the well Marinated Pork slices and Rice.  A pretty good deal and tasted sophisticated too for what is a homely style Korean meal.  ~ 8.5/10

Spicy Seafood Jjampong Noodles Set - $82
A Chinese inspired noodles dish, also known as Champon in Japan.  This is done as expected, with Goguchang giving it the spice kick in a seafood and vegetables broth.  Decently priced and noodles not over cooked.  ~ 7.5/10

Comes with Fried Mandu dumplings too..

Tteokjuk - Sticky Rice Soup with Dumplings $67 Individual Portion
Also shredded eggs and seaweed.  I keep thinking this is quite Shanghainese small wontons based in recipe,  with a Korean twist.  This is a dish ordered during Korean New Years, and quite traditional historically....  Soup was a bit too salty but ~ 7/10

Beef Bugolgi Bibimbap Rice - $79 Individual Portion
The presentation seemed a little strange tonight,  as you can hardly see the Namul vegetables.  The taste however was normal with more hot goguchang red pepper chili sauce. Decent amount of beef slices too...  ~ 6.5/10

L.A. Beef Short Ribs - $125 a Set 
The Ribs are sawn across the bone,  as opposed to the traditional Wang Galbi style which had the meat butterflied-butchered and then unrolled in Imperial cuisine.  The result is similar and the meat is well marinated,  and not overly sugary or garlicky either,  keeping more original beef taste.  Definitely one of the best versions in town and the portion is generous too for the price!  Must order..  ~ 9/10

Gagahoho Menu - 
It is more about an approachable everyday Korean Family meal,  nothing pretentious in either the higher end Imperial Cuisines or the newer Korean Fried Chicken movements with plenty of pliable cheese!   This is an every Go-to shop and I can't wait to be back for some of the above dishes!

Price: HKD $79 to $125 Per Person ( Korean New Years Meal Preview by Gagahoho Invitation)

Food: ♕♕♕♕ 1/2 

Address: 尖沙咀金巴利街1B恆港中心地下1號舖 Shop 1, G/F, Everglory Centre, 1B Kimberly Street, Tsim Sha Tsui

Ph: +852 31517200

Under Vacuum 慢煮工業 [Hong Kong] - Sous Vide Beef Sandwich & Meat Items for a Dime, and Inside a Garden Park

 Under Vacuum is one of those creative shops run by a group of youngster and found inside a park in Tsim Sha Tsui.  As one can guess from its namesake,  it specializes in Sous-Vide slow cooked meat dishes and sandwiches for take away eating inside the park...  The Kiosk is close to Kowloon Shangri-la Hotel but is already very popular with the locals.  They have also recently opened a separate Steak house in Prince Edward. 

8 Hours Sous Vide Angus Sirloin & Cheese Sandwich $48,  add Scrambled Eggs $5 - 
Served with Fried Turnip Cake Strips for an additional $8 only. Always a very tempting Lunch Box!

They Slow-cook the Beef and Lamb cuts here on the Spot - 
In the middle of a park in East Tsim Sha Tsui !

My Steak Sandwich with Cheese, Added Scrambled Eggs - (Photo is showing Half Only)
The steak is evenly cooked,  and finally griddle seared for a brown surface.  Thick, slightly meaty.  Obviously not one of those thick Wagyu Sandwiches in Tokyo,  but at only HKD $48 this is pretty good in Price vs Performance !  ~ 7.5/10

Turnip Fries - Add $8.  Individual Order is $18
Basically a must order item here too and unique.  It works a treat and is unconventional over the normal pan fried,  Chinese New Year's version.  I have to say it's quite addictive too!   Overall I did wished they had an outlet on Hong Kong side,  and it closes around 8pm which is pretty dark to take photos by then.

Price: HKD $48 + $5 + $8 Per Person 

Food: ♕♕♕♕ 1/2 

Address: Kiosk, The Urban Council Centenary Garden, 63 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui 

尖沙咀麼地道63號市政局百週年紀念花園小食亭

Ph: +852 93256625

HK International Airport [Hong Kong] - Newly Opened East to West Food Market, at Terminal 1 Gate 40 to 80

 Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is currently expanding their Food & Restaurants section into the West Wing.  At Terminal 1,  the East to West Food Market stretches from the Departure Hall in the entrance East Wing, to the West Wing side located at Gate 40-80 which has seen numerous exciting new openings,  some of which we had the pleasure to try for your reference.  The original East Food Market will undergo renovation soon, so to reach the currently updated West Food Market side, please read the simple How to Get There Guide below!  For more Official information,  please to to visit also:    https://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/shopping/dining/t1/fastf/list.html

香港有美食之都的名稱, 而現時在香港國際機場第一客運大樓之內就新開了一個美食區. 很有吸引力的名店包括以飛天燒鵝出名的鏞記酒家, 及米芝蓮三星名廚 Alvin Leung 的香港街頭美食店 Street Food MIC. 另外除了日本過江龍拉麵店梅光軒, 還有馬來西亞咖啡店 OldTown White Coffee, 池記雲吞麵, Burger King, 美式餐廳及酒吧 O'Leary's, 瑞士雪糕名店 Movenpick, 等等.

The Touch-Screen Map -
Key in on the Screen,  Restaurants > West Food Market > Gate 40-80.
You will be given an animation of how to reach the Destination Dining, which takes about 10 minutes.

Reaching West Food Market at Gate 40-80 - 

It is above the Cathay's The Bridge Lounge and close to The Pier

West Food Market - 1st Stop 鏞記 Yung Kee
There's some brand new High Profile Openings here.  Our first destination was for the Institutional Yung Kee, which has opened its 1st Shop outside of Central HK location..

(Yung Kee 鏞記)
BBQ Charsiu Pork Belly,  Roast Goose - HKD $250 to $275
The Charsiu comes in two offerings, the Caramelized Belly part is rarer to find in Hong Kong.  With Yung Kee's decades of dedication to the roast trade, here on this visit it was expectedly of high standards.

(Yung Kee 鏞記)  Sweet & Sour Pork with Pineapple - HKD $175
This was a bigger dish portion than I envisioned!  It's more of the sliced version and as is per authentic tradition,  comes with just the right amount of sauce coating.

Street Food MIC by Alvin Leung - 2nd Stop
Created by Chef Alvin Leung behind Michelin 3* Bo Innovation,  also Michelin 1* MIC Kitchen.  The Street Food MIC store inside the HK Airport,  sells Hong Kong style food for the travelers.

(Street Food MIC by Alvin Leung)
The Multiple Colorful Flavored Baked Buns -
Including Charsiu, Pineapple, and some Sweet Desserts.  Starting from around HKD $18 each only..

(Street Food MIC by Alvin Leung)
Eggettes Station -

(Street Food MIC by Alvin Leung)
Beef Rice Cheung Fan - $65
The same dish with Wagyu Beef is made famous in Michelin 3* Bo Innovation, and now available at more affordable prices at the Airport with a more moderately priced sliced beef option.  I actually thought this came with a more savory balanced sauce too !

(Street Food MIC by Alvin Leung)
Peanut Butter Ice Cream on Eggette Waffle - $55
When we saw this, we knew we had to order it!  Freshly baked to order,  this was egg and crispy, with what we deemed a substantial scoop of delectable ice cream.  I think a dessert like this deserves a big slab of ice cream for balance!  And price is so reasonable too by the Chef behind the Michelin 3* Kitchen!  Encore !!

Movenpick Ice Cream Stall - 

Now serving the Winter Waffles too

太興 Tai Hing Roast Meat and Cha Chaan Teng -

School Food Korean -

The very popular new Korean joint operated by Mira Group in Hong Kong, from Korea

梅光軒 Baikohken Ramen from Hokkaido -

Famous for their Chasyu Pork Shoyu Ramen

View of the Airport,  from Gate 40-80 -

O'Learys - American Bar & Food

Good Happy Hour deals here with Draught Beers

(O'Learys - American Bar & Food)

Hot & Smoky Pork Spare Ribs & Fries - $238

Served with Celeriac Remoulade and Pickles.  The sauce was smoky and if you want it to be more spicier,  feel free to add more BBQ and Chili sauce.  I prefer them slightly more moist than the dry rub type but that's a personal preference.

OldTown White Coffee from Malaysia -

Surprised to find this here,  as the 1st store arriving in Hong Kong!  This is something that is missing in the HK Market.  I love their Drinks here,  and the Food is Halal approved certified.

(OldTown White Coffee from Malaysia)

Prawn Mee Hoon Mee -

The soup base is imported from Malaysia directly, even down to the fried shallots. It had an authentic tasting prawny taste,  and a mixture of two types of cham cham noodles..  Addictive stuff and the gravy was uniquely diff to other options in town,  with an intense seafood stock taste

(OldTown White Coffee from Malaysia)

Nasi Lemak with Fried Chicken - $88

Again, the Sambal chili and also the Fried Ikan Bilis anchovies are imported from Malaysia directly, ensuring an authentic taste.  The rice has a good pandan coconutty taste too.  Hard to find this taste in Hong Kong,  but now we can find it inside HK International Airport.

(OldTown White Coffee from Malaysia)

Pandan Kaya Butter Toasts with Teh Tarik Tea - 

Another Kaya Buttery item that is done traditionally in a Kopitiam shop, with aroma from the hand churned Kaya Butter. The Milk Tea was very fragrant and well layered too, highly addictive!  I wished this shop opened outside of the Airport too, hope so eventually.  Need to compare it to Killiney directly,  as that is my other favorite preference in Hong Kong's Kopitiam imports.

The New West side of the East-West Food Market,
is located between Gate 40-80 of Terminal 1,
Hong Kong International Airport. Definitely worth a trip to here to indulge in some quality local HK delicacies prepared by Michelin rated Restaurants or other fine foods unique to Hong Kong,  before your Safe Departure.  Remember that most items can also be taken on board as take-away meals!

Address:  Hong Kong International Airport,  Gate 40-80, Terminal 1, Hong Kong

Opening Hours:  Breakfast until around 10-11pm for Most Shops

Spending:  As low as HKD $18 to $88 Range,  Roast Goose items around $250

More Information Website:  https://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/shopping/dining/t1/fastf/list.html

Ham & Sherry [Hong Kong] - New 2017 Brunch Menu on Sat & Sunday

 We heard that Ham & Sherry has started a new brunch menu on the Weekends starting from the 1st week of 2017.  Me and a fellow foodie friend were both going to the same streets next to each other so decided to meet up here for a quick rendezvous,  albeit we had to leave quickly before ordering the desserts.  

I have been to Ham & Sherry and the Bar behind a few times -
I have always thought of it as traditional Spanish tapas and dishes, done with a slightly British accent..

Jamon Croquetas - HKD $58
With some Jamon pieces and bechamel sauce inside.  I have had this almost every time I came, and this version is more rounder than narrow compared to before.  It is also more aligned with the consistency of croquetas in Spain.  Better than before and well priced!  ~ 7.5/10

Tetilla Cheese Toastie with Jamon and Truffle Honey - $88
A similar concept to a Bikini,  but using a Galician Cheese and with a truffle honey spread.  This tasted slightly sweetish and can be treated almost like a transitional course bridging a savory dish to a sweet one..  ~ 7.5/10

Pan con Anchoa - $58
Anchovies on Bread with Tomato spread.  Pretty traditional pairing and more on the savory side..  ~ 7/10

Spanish Tortilla with Crab Meat & Sea Urchin Cream Sauce - $138
The Urchin sauce is mild creamy, I like how certain bites had copious amounts of Crab Meat inside! ~ 8/10

Spanish Morcilla Blood Sausage, Fried Duck Egg & Crispy Garlic, Grilled Asparagus - $78
Good garlicky taste with the roughly chopped morcilla with some rice fillers. For some reason I expected this to come with some bread pieces too,  but at this price point it is quite attractive as a small brunch item!  ~ 7.5/10

New Weekend Brunch on Sat-Sun.  Available 12-3pm 
It's quite affordable and more traditional in Spanish spirit than I thought!  A good place to come and chillax on the weekend,  and add HKD $168 for free flow drinks.

Price: HKD $250 +10% Per Person plus Drinks
Food: ♕♕♕♕ to ♕♕♕♕ 1/2

Address: G/F, 1-7 Ship Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
灣仔船街1-7號地下
Ph: +852 25550628

PappaRich Opens in Central [Hong Kong] - Preview of New Exclusive Menu, Soft Opening on 22nd Jan 2017 for Dinner

 PappaRich from Malaysia has opened outlets overseas for quite a number of years already, but it took until 2016 for the first branch to reach Hong Kong's shore in Causeway Bay. Fast forward a year later, PappaRich has decided to open a 2nd Flagship outlet in Central, HK. Located at L Place, where the original Linguini Fini and Mana Cafe used to be, this latest PappaRich store carries an ambition to become the most authentic Malaysian and Indian food concept in Hong Kong, and even the fine tuned, more sophisticated recipes here are a notch above the existing Causeway Bay store. 

PappaRich - Serving Malaysian Delights
They also serve some Mamak Malaysian-Indian food recipes, and all are Halal Certified

Satay Sticks, with Spicy Peanut Sauce -
We didn't get to try some of the food,  although according to Head Chef Joe Wong, this sauce recipe is more on the sweetish side

3 Layered Iced Tea - 
Made with Gula Melaka Palm Sugar, Tea, Cream, this has a decent tea aroma and is smooth drinking.  For a stronger drink, the shop recommends the Teh Tarik version which we had after the meal..

This Chef from Malaysia,  is making the Roti Canai unleavened Bread -
It is folded then finished on the griddle.  Usually more round,  in this case it's a squarish version..

Roti Canai - Served with Curry, Dhal Beans and Sambal with Belacan Paste - 
This item is available in most PappaRich stores in the world.  In this Hong Kong Central outlet,  it is still being fine tuned before it might or might not be put on the permanent Menu.  However,  they do serve the Roti Canai bread with other Main Size Curry dishes.

Rojak Salad with Shrimps Paste, Jicama, Crullers, etc - HKD $65
One of my favorite dishes,  with slight variations across different countries.  I didn't get to try this today either as it was for a photo shoot.  Eventually I will get around to trying it - so far I haven't found a correct tasting plate in HK,  so hopefully this will be closer to the original(s)

Ipoh Bean Sprouts - Served with a Flounder infused Soy, and Salted Fish Chili Paste $58
Imported from Malaysia Ipoh directly,  these sprouts are wider and shorter, much sweeter than the norm.  Even the fried shallots on this plate were imported from Malaysia surprisingly,  they said it brings it closer to the home taste.  Lovely !   ~ 8.5/10

Seafood Laksa - HKD $98
I ate this at another time.  It has good intense seafood broth and a slightly curried base.  With plenty of Seafood, Tofu Puffs,  Fried Soy Bean Sheets, Eggplant, etc.  I liked this previously although it is more on the higher price range for a Laksa... ~ 8/10

Grilled Flounder with Sambal Sauce and Calamansi - 
This is usually served with Skate Wing,  but tonight they use a similar flat fish instead.  The Sambal sauce to me could be slightly more fiery and exotic,  albeit it was said some sauces were slightly toned down for Hong Kong.  I think us more hardcore foodies would prefer the original flavors we encounter in South East Asia!  ~ 7/10

Sarawak Black Pepper Prawns - $148
The imported Malaysian peppers are quite spicy and fragrant, even some Michelin Restaurants use it in cooking French or Western food.  This dish was superb,  with a gritty coating and the prawn meat and head tomalley roe flavors enhanced by the frying and peppery sauce.  They also do a Crab version here...  Must order!  ~ 10/10

Prawn Mee with Chicken - Cham Cham Mixed Noodles $88

This had a Prawny and Prawn heads intense taste as expected,  since the above Laksa also had a good seafood stock base. This used Chicken instead of Pork Belly sliced to comply with Halal Standards.  Overall this was a lovely bowl,  and at the bottom it was more intense and progressively got hotter with the chili!  ~ 8.5/10

Teh Tarik - 
Milk Tea that is poured 3 times,  using their special Tea Leaves and technique.  These use higher quality tea leaves,  which you can tell from the slight astringency,  and longer lasting tannin,  which creates layering.  Very good tea and addictive!   Must come back for this often  ~ 9/10

Mao Sha Wang Durian Cheese Cake - $65
Another Signature here,  this was creamy, sweet, smells of fresh quality durian, without leaving that almost sulphur after taste or smell.  A memorable Durian dessert which was well balanced.  ~ 8.5/10   There are many other dishes I want to come back to try,  as this Flagship Central Outlet has many new items.  Next on my list to do is their Nasi Rich,  Nasi Lemak and also the Cendal and Ice Kachang, also Coffees and Kaya Toasts!   This shop will be officially soft opening on 22nd Jan 2017 for Dinner.  

Price: HKD $98 - $250 +10% Per Person (Food Preview & Photo Shoot) 

Food: ♕♕♕♕ 1/2 

Address: Ground Floor, The L. Place, 139 Queen's Road Central, Central
中環皇后大道中139號The L Place