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

Korean Jeju Hanwoo Beef [Hong Kong] - Online Retailer & Distributor, or available at Arirang Korean Restaurant

 Hanwoo or Hanu Beef from Korea used to be hardly exported to the outside world due to high local demands, but thanks to exclusive Importers and connections, we can now land ourselves allocations of this rare beef - usually considered a cross between a local Korean DNA bovine and a Northern Chinese or British DNA cow. For this Hanwoo Beef Event, we were introduced to sampling the Jeju Island Hanwoo beef imported by www.KoreanBeefExpress.com . Jeju Island is also famous for farming & producing the best beef in Korea, especially the Jeju Black breed which rivals the best of pure Island Wagyu's in Japan.

Raspberry Jinro to Start the Night -
I didn't try this but it smelled red fruity..

Banchan by Arirang Korean Restaurant - 

Some Muk Jelly with Gim Laver as Starter -
Nicely refreshing the palate 1st..  Before all the Jeju Hanwoo Beef dishes arrive

육회 Hanwoo Top Round Yukhoe Tartare with Julienned Pear and Egg Yolk - 

This was quite beefy, and this round cut is well known for being leaner with more gamey flavor.  A good choice for making this raw Korean dish.

모둠수육 Hanwoo Beef Inside Skirt and Beef Shank Modum Suyug -Interesting to start with two different non-prime cuts of Hanwoo beef. This flat iron stew is usually cooked with innards, but this used beef  meat instead on Special. The shank was thinly sliced and had a good beefiness taste.

A Side Salad to eat with the Grilled Items beneath - 

Neobiani 너비아니 Grilled Beef
of 4 Jeju Island Hanwoo Beef Cuts - 
Short Rib Galbi, Rib Eye, Chuck Marble and Top Round.  I personally prefer the Rib Eye and Chuck Marble, former for flavor and the marbled cuts for their crunchy fat. The Top Round obviously had the strongest gamey taste due to the butcher cut.

They sell them here as Neobiani, rather than Bulgogi here -
Since this is more thickly sliced and prestigious, served in past Imperial Cuisine

갈낙탕 GahlNahk Tahng - Octopus and Hanwoo Spare Ribs Stew in Sweet Soy Sauce 
This was thick with the gelatinous sauce,  and worked well with the white rice provided.

갈비탕 Gahlbi Tahng - Hanwoo Short Ribs Soup 

A fairly traditional dish to finish a meal.  By this time I was so full and this had a good beefiness taste.  Overall the Hanwoo beef despite being highly marbled, do offer more chew and also beef flavors than say most full blood wagyu.  Basically each to their own..

Some Desserts to Finish -
The Red Bean Fried Mandoo was pleasing and not too chewy thick nor cloying.  You can eat these Special Jeju Hanwoo Beef dishes by reserving at Arirang Restaurant on Phone: +852 25063298 , for around $900 per person for above menu.  Alternatively,  the Beef is also available from www.KoreanBeefExpress.com  

A Petisqueira - Portuguese Food in [ Macau ]

 Macau has a historical Portuguese upbringing,   and its influences affected everyone being brought up here.  The same can be said about Hong Kong,  when the Colonial British state also helped us to establish our own slightly British affected Culture indeed.   This revisit to A Petisqueira with a Michelin Guide Mention was a little different from before indeed,  the food was less oily and salty than before.   Surprisingly the portion of food also increased!    Definitely recommend them to be shared amongst a few foodie friends if they have a huge appetite!

I have had Better Macau-Portuguese Food over the years in Macau,

However the portions here are huge indeed.

Bar Area -

Ordering some Portuguese Red Wine -

Bread was Lovely - 
The Portuguese Extra Virgin Olive Oil were also outstanding...

Caldo Verde Soup - 
With Chourico sausage.   The last time I remember having a great one was at Sheraton Poolside BBQ.  To me this slightly Catholic recipe throughout the World,  just needs some sophistication Layering...  Here it was only normal tonight compared to the best in town  ~  6/10 

Salted Cod Fish Potato Balls - 
These were decent rather than great,  its made well but somehow missing the Umami from the salted cod for me.  ~  6.9/10

Pork Belly with Clams - 
Casa Lisboa in Hong Kong so far makes the best version.  This one here,  was a little too dry without enough pork fat fragrance.   Big portion though!  ~  6.9/10

Overall this was still Satisfactory -
But there are better options in Town if you ask me.

Price: $250 Per Person 

Food: ♕♕♕♕ 

Address:  氹仔舊城區生央街15C-D號

15C-D Rua de S. Joao, Vila de Taipa 

Ph:  2882 5354

Grand Hyatt Hotel [ Macau ] - A Pleasant Stay and Good Sound Insulation, with an Affordable Price Point

 I like exploring different Hotels and I sleep way better than at my apartment in HK side.  Half of my budget per month is probably spent on Hotels.  This time around and thanks to Skyscape Magazine for helping to organize,  we secured a Grand Suite Room at the Grand Hyatt Macau to stay.  The weekday room rate is surprisingly affordable – just under MOP $2,000 at $1,788 this time of the year.   Weekends command a slightly higher price closer to the $3,000 – $4,000 mark.  But for the large room size which can easily fit in 3-4 people,  it is to me still a bargain and the rooms are relatively clean compared to some competition.

 

 

Such a large Bed and Room -
I can finally relax here







A Nespresso Capsule Machine with Chinese Tea Leaves -
Good for relaxing the soul..







Sofa and Lounge is so Huge here -
I should invite more guests next time.

 

 

 

Club Lounge on the 37th Floor -
Unlimited Orange,  Hami Melon and Water Melon Juice,  also Tea or Coffee and Mineral Water.  I am more of a liquid diet person usually and this suit me so well. 

 

 

 

Fried Eggs,  Tomato Confit,  Bacon and Sausage.  With some Basil Leaves -
This is what I call a nice breakfast. 

French Financiers -
Didn’t get to eat too many of these but they looked well caramelized and accurate on the surface.

 

The 37th Club Lounge area -
Exclusive to certain levels of Hotel patrons







Interesting.  Traditional Cantonese Dim Sum Cart here -
The Conpoy Sticky rice and the Chives Prawn Dumplings were good,  so were the Aged Tangerine Peel Beef Balls.

 

Sticky Rice in Lotus Leaf -
Stuffed with gorgeous sausage,  chicken and mushroom goodies.  If only I could fit in more of these as a small eater during breakfast..

 

 

 

Croissant,  Spring Rolls,  Cheung Fan with XO Sauce,  Salted Duck Egg - 
I think I am being too well-fed after just waking up.   Good thing is this breakfast lasts until 11am,  slightly later than the norm of 10am. 

 

 

 

Cheese and Salad Counter -








Steamed Prawn and Chives Dumplings -
I ate these with Chili sauce.  Pretty good but wished I was a larger eater sometimes too..

 

 

 

More Chinese Fried Crullers and Rice Cheung Fan -
I eat them with X.O. Sauce and Olive Leaves and Spring Onions.

 

 

Natural Honey Comb -
Interesting.   I also encountered this at Mandarin Oriental Macau too.  It is actually very appreciated and natural.







Congee Station -

 

 

 

Unlimited Drinks Fridge -
Plenty of Juices as mentioned above







Morning Bread and Pastries Section -
Financiers and Croissants are the way to go for me here..

 

 

 

Peking Duck beneath at Beijing Kitchen -
Don’t miss out dining at Beijing Kitchen below…  Probably one of the best Beijing style kitchens outside of Beijing itself I have visited.   I literally dream about coming back here every week,  but that is my secret wish un be known to others.   Actually,  I will be back here again soon due to Family Pressure : )   See my most recent Review too as to why,  if you are interested  ( http://www.hkepicurus.com/2015/12/beijing-kitchen-peking-food-and-date.html )








The Poolside Area.  With Heated Pool -
I wonder if I can still float after a couple of big meals!
Oink.. !

 

Hotel & Breakfast Food:   ♕♕♕♕ 1/2 to ♕♕♕♕♕

Address:  路氹城連貫公路新濠天地澳門君悅酒店 37 樓
37/F,  Grand Hyatt Hotel, Cotai,  Macau
Ph: +853  8868 1930

Hong Kong Day 香港地 - [ Hong Kong ]

  Hong Kong Day is a new Concept by a larger consortium at large in Hong Kong,  it is aiming at creating new food concepts for what I coin as Upper-end HK food,  averagely affordable to the local population but with a core quality that is always guaranteed.   One will find this at Hong Kong Day’s outlets and currently most shops are currently promoting a Teppan hot plate concept as well.   Me and some friends were keen to visit here as a lunch catch-up as I wanted to try out several dishes to share as some lived and worked along this convenient train line.   A lot of people won’t understand my thinking – but to me personally,  I am always training myself alert to develop my business senses and instinct,  because it helps me out a lot in general when we monitor everything in the market and we have to predict trends in order to make it happen before time.   For some reason I found resonance with this group’s restaurants thus far.

 

 

Hong Kong Day  香港地 -
I have already been to their other Hong Kong Day Shop in Ma On Shan and Sheung Wan before. 


 

 

 

Interior Space -
It’s the latest food trend presented here which I was most interested in.  
Modernized Hong Kong food but a staple for everyone day in and day out.   I am getting hungry but hope it turns out to be ok good..

 

 

Sizzling Pans -
We ordered a couple of these options….
Surprisingly a few were localized Hong Kong Cantonese influenced.  Interesting..

 

蜂蜜薏米冰 – Iced Barley Drink with Honey (Included in Meal Set)
The lady serving me this said this is with natural honey and not artificial sugar.  which hits the right spot.     ~ 8/10

 

豬腳薑醋蛋鮮雜菌雞粒芹菜炆紅米飯  –  Pigs Knuckle in Ginger & Red Vinegar,  with Teppan rice of Mixed Mushrooms,  Chicken pieces,  Celery and Mixed Red & White Rice grains $68
This recipe is usually more for pregnant women or people needing more ‘heat’ in their body if you follow Chinese medicine and it’s philosophy of slowly maintaining the balance of body..   Was surprised personally to see this recipe here,  as this is quite feminine and with more ginger and mushrooms too as a combination.   Interesting indeed and it tasted great and vinegary/gingery.    More suitable for ladies in general I still believe!   But I really liked this myself   ~ 9/10









Fully Cooked Egg in the Chinese Vinegar and Gingery Solution -
Part of the above meal 

 

Cheese and Fried Chicken Thigh with Kimchi,  Pork Belly Slices and Potato Starch Noodles
芝士煎雞扒泡菜腩片,  炒薯粉 – $68
This was very good as a combo,  the chicken fried tender and so were the julienned pork slices.   I somehow wished there were more gooey cheesy though to complete the package,  as is the current trend as people nowadays love to pull more cheese.   ~ 8/10

蠔汁鮑魚梅菜腩肉魚柳炆紅米飯 – $88
This has a whole Abalone,  with Pickled Pork Belly,  Grouper Fish and Half white and red rice.   This was another highlight.  Unassuming at first,  this was cooked really well for a Fast Food Shop with a new concept.   One of the highlights for sure and glad we also ordered this to try.  No wonder this shop has gotten so many positive reviews online lately.    Just typing this up makes me hungry for supper already..   I miss this dish the most myself. 

 

 

Price:  HKD $58 to $88
Food:   ♕♕♕♕  - ♕♕♕♕ 1/2

Address:  大角咀海泓道1號奧海城三期UG65號舖
大角咀海泓道1號奧海城三期UG65號舖
Ph:  +852 2758 5228