Yamm at The Mira [Hong Kong] - 2017 April Songkran Water Festival Thai Lunch Buffet

  April 13th tomorrow is Songkran Thai New Year's & Water Festival,  and to celebrate this event,  Yamm Buffet in The Mira Hotel is doing a  <Discover Thai Taste> Lunch Buffet starting from HKD $308.  I am always interested in exploring the food enjoyed by other cultures during their respective New Years, especially when Yamm's Thai food sections are being looked after by Bangkok's BAAN restaurant chefs for this April period.  

Thai Songkran New Years Celebration - 

Working together in collaboration with San Pellegrino Water,  fittingly..

Miang Pla Too - Station with Mackerel & Herbs Lettuce Wraps
One of my favorites and here provided unlimited during Lunch Buffet.. It's quite spicy too if you opt to, and I liked the presence of the potent fish with sawtooth herbs inside

Thai Beef Ball Rice Noodles with Herbs, Fried Garlic and Chili, Pork Rind - 
This was well received by everyone eating here and many went for 2nd helpings...  I wanted to reserve room for other food,  but still had a full bowl.  Soup base is made from scratch properly,  and no hint of MSG within

Grilled Pork Neck with Tropical Fruits - 

Thai food with some flame licked Grilled Pork Neck meat, with its melting marbling fat taste is always welcome.  This version here is not overly spicy or caramelized,  but more natural tasting type of recipe this day..

Plenty of Thai style Seafood or Minced Meat Salads -

The Laab Moo was actually very spicy again compared to the Pork Neck above, so for every bite here we had different expectations because this looked quite harmless by itself!  There were also other Massaman Curry and Pork Belly & Egg dishes..

Sushi & Sashimi Section - 

Some Japanese seafood dishes,  that I needed occasionally as a palate cleanser to reset my fiery palate from the Thai dishes!  The good thing is that many of the usual dishes still remain intact in the Lunch Buffet.... more photos later

Thai Songkran with San Pellegrino Mineral Water - 
And also with spicy and exotic Thai food

Quite a few Thai style Desserts - 
Including a few made from Sticky Rice, Charcoal Powder, or Pandan Madeleines.
There were quite a few other items available for this April  <<Discover Thai Lunch Buffet>>,  let me update here later tonight..







Price: Mon to Fri HKD $368 Per Person + 10%
Saturday $368
Sunday $438 with Unlimited Sparkling Wine
(Meal Organized by San Pellegrino & Yamm, The Mira Hotel)
Food: ♕♕♕♕ 1/2

Address: The Mira Hong Kong, G/F,, 118-130 Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Phone: +23155111

Thai Western [Hong Kong] - Introducing Thai Style Tom Yum Gong Hotpot to Hong Kong, in Wong Tai Sin

 Thai Western opened recently near Wong Tai Sin Temple, a popular locals Destination and also for Tourists alike, and is just around 20 minutes drive from Sai Kung, also located nearby to the new Hong Kong Food Trucks selling local street food. Thai Western is operated by a group of Thai Chefs and run by an owner who used to run a similarly named restaurant in Kennedy Town, before relocating to this developing foodies area. They are currently the pioneer in Hong Kong in introducing a Thai style Hotpot, using either clear soup or a spicier Tom Yum Goong soup that is made in house with seafood and spices, herbs, etc.

Located in a Wong Tai Sin Neighborhood, 
Its around 7 to 8 mins walk from Wong Tai Sin MTR Exit A

Whisky Shelf - 
Owner Ben loves whiskies and wines, and has his own collection of rare to find Japanese whiskies.    He also sells them by the bottle, a tradition he started from his previous shop on HK Island side. 

Fried Cheese Balls - $58
The prawn mousse is hand grinded and they are bigger than we thought,  and there is a good prawny taste and chunky texture.  The molten cheese inside is using real cheese and not the artificial cheese pearls for the 'lava' effect,  something that is appreciable.  ~ 8/10

Tom Yum Goong Hotpot - $88 Soup
Hot Pot Platter with Seafood & Beef - $198 to $228
The Signature Hot Pot dish here.  The Tom Yum Soup is made in house by the Thai Chefs,  using a variety of spices and prawn heads, coconut milk, herbs, and seafood.  It is fragrant and addictive.  Thai style Hotpot is Chinese inspired and usually eaten with a clearer soup,  here they are doing the Spicier version.  An alternative to Sichuan Mala hotpot and probably even better...  Note:  This hotpot style is also popular in Singapore reently.  ~ 8.5/10 

Chicken (Half) - $88
The Chicken is slaughtered every morning.  Here Thai Western pride themselves on their chicken quality and it shows.  The skin is still springy and translucent,  the chicken meat has good meat taste and isn't tensed up from refrigeration.   

Dipping the Chicken into the Tom Yum Goong Hotpot - 
The half chicken is quite huge,  I recommend that it be shared between 3-4 people.

Thai Hainan Chicken Rice - $68
Again the chicken is great. This is slow poached daily in the morning,  and the meat is tender and the skin from the solution bathing is flavorful.  The rice is cooked with Pandan leaves, Chicken Rendered Oil, Turmeric Powder, etc and individually grainy.   The chili sauce also carries an acidic and exotic kick... with Soy Sauce imported from Singapore.  Overall a very good Hainanese Chicken dish and we loved it over two visits.  ~ 9/10

Mango Sticky Rice  khao neeo mamuang - $58

The rice portion is bigger than envisaged.  Its steamed perfectly and not mushy,  with a good trace of pandan leaves fragrance.  The coconut sauce also has a leafy presence.  The presentation is not the best looking in the business but overall this was very satisfactory,  and the mangoes were just ripe this time.  ~ 7.5/10

Fresh Coconut Juice - $45
This is imported from Thailand.  Nowadays Thai coconuts are in supply shortage and quality varies,  apparently some of the coconuts tried here were really sweetish,  some were more normal..   Overall Thai Western is attractive because of their Tong Yum Goong soup Hot Pot,  which is one of its kind in Hong Kong as far as I know but already very popular overseas especially in Singapore!

Price: HKD $225 to $280 Per Person
Food: ♕♕♕♕ 1/2 to ♕♕♕♕♕

Address: 黃大仙環鳳街19號地舖 G/F, 19 Wan Fung Street, Wong Tai Sin
Ph: +852 28170929

Dragon-i [Hong Kong] - Savouring Art Menu by Lan Kwai Fong x FeedMeGuru.com

 Lan Kwai Fong Group is collaborating with FeedMeGuru.com on the March 1st to 31st 'Savouring Art' Dining Menus.  We had a quick change of venue and switched from Cassio to sister Nightclub and Restaurant Dragon-i instead.  The 5 Course Menu here is HKD $628,  and here are the dishes available.

Dragon-i -
The most Internationally famous Night Club in Hong Kong,
also is a Dining and Bar Venue outside of clubbing periods.  They are also famous for their Dim Sums.

Savouring Art Menu, exclusively booked via FeedMeGuru.com :
They have created a code under my name, using 'HKEpicurus' you can get HKD $50 discount for all bookings on their website.

Course 1
Salmon Carpaccio with Citrus, Salt, Arugula Rocket Leaves, Mango Passionfruit Sauce -
The salt component is essential in this dish, as it highly contrasted with the citrusy note.

Course 2
Raw Botan Ebi Layers with Avocado, Mango Passionfruit & Strawberry Sauce -
Served with Sweet Potato crisps.  This was refreshing again as a dish,  and still using exotic fruity sauces.

Course 3
Pumpking Soup with Seared Scallop - 
This looked pretty yet minimalistic.  The base soup seemed to carry some seafood stock,  and the scallop was huge and just cooked mi-cuit.

Course 4
Poached Fish Nori Roll, with Matcha Cornflake Coating, Fish Roes and Red Pepper Sauce -

This Main Course dish seemed quite healthy, and the menu is predominantly Seafood orientated.  The matcha cornflake was an interesting contrast although probably by default softened up to work with the fish and gelatinous skin.  The pepper sauce could be slightly more balanced with sugar or some ketchup tomato sauce instead of matcha powder.

Course 5
Oolong Tea Ice Cream with Dry Ice Tea Smoke, and Japanese Dango Dumplings -
The ice cream with the tea smoke was encapsulating.  The dango were colorful and artsy,  I personally thought it could do with some mitarashi savory-soy sauce.

Dining at Dragon-i is an Experience - 
They are also famous for their Dim Sum items and also Champagne Happy Hours, with free Canapes.  This 5 Course exclusive menu above can be booked at FeedMeGuru.com and don't forget to use the online coupon code 'HKEpicurus' to get HKD $50 discount.  It is interesting when I can book meals online too using my own online name for a discount, hopefully one day I will be worth more ..

Price: HKD $628 No 10% Service Charge Per Person
Food: ♕♕♕♕ 

Address: 中環雲咸街60號中央廣場平台
Podium, The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central
Ph: 31101222

  

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