Peking Garden, Tsim Tsa Shui

When my cousin in law called and said 'do you want to have Peking duck tonight', I automatically said yes! How can you say no to Peking duck? It was their last night here, and they wanted to have good Chinese food, which includes Peking duck! I have heard about the Peking Garden, it's a chain of restaurants under the Maxim's Group specializing in Beijing and Northern Chinese cuisine. They claim that they serve the best Peking Duck in Hong Kong, and one of their specialties include the infamous Beggar's Chicken which has to be pre-ordered a day in advance. As we found out later that evening, every night, the restaurant also provide a daily demonstration of hand-pulled noodles (lai meen) but we didn't come to see the demonstration – we wanted the Peking duck.

We quickly perused the menu – there were 4 of us, so we each ordered a meal, Peking Duck, some sort of beef dish, a fish dish and veggies.

The fish came out first – it was fish stirfry with mandarin and chilli. The fish was fresh and soft and was not over cooked at all. It was served with beans, mushroom, shallots simmered over soy sauce with a mandarin tang to it and chilli. The combination of mandarin was perfect for the dish. It was extremely light and absoutely delicious.

The second dish to come out was what we have been waiting for – Peking duck! It is customary for them to cut the duck in front of us (or near us so we can see) and it was a fat and juicy duck!

TWO whole plates of Peking duck meat was served before us and my cousin in law and I both had grins from ear to ear! This was superb and this would definitely satisfy our Peking duck craving – one would think! The meat was tender and juicy and it didn't have a lot of fat like some Peking duck and the skin was crispy and thin! Wrapped with pancake (which was thin! I really don't like the thick pancakes!), a dollop of hoysin sauce and cucumber (not a huge fan of raw spring onions!) I was once again in heaven! I lost count of how many of these I made in front of me and put in my mouth! All I know is that it definitely satisfied my Peking duck cravings! What I forgot was, the rest of the duck was made into a stirfry – so duck stirfry with vegetables and lots of chilli!

The beef came shortly after, however, at this stage I was still fixated on my Peking duck! The beef was cooked in soy sauce and celery which made it sweet and drenched in chilli! The beef was again tender and soft and the chilli gave it a nice 'kick' to the meal. It wasn't what I expected but I was pleasantly surprised.

The tofu was not what I 'thought' I ordered. I wanted tofu seafood hot pot but instead got steamed tofu with seafood! I guess that was 'their' version of tofu seafood hotpot? It was still pretty good – the tofu here (in Hong Kong) is absolutely soft – softer than anywhere I have tried. Partly cause I was so full, I didn't really get to try this dish at the time, so took it home (ta bau) and had it for dinner the night after and it was pretty damn tasty! It was tofu with prawns and fish and beans.

I didn't take a photo of the 2^nd dish of the Peking duck – by this time, we were all STUFFED and could not look at another dish! Took it home – and had it as leftovers and I can say that the 2^nd dish duck stirfry with veggies and chilli was absolutely delish! Especially those who likes duck like me!

I would definitely recommend Peking Garden – you can get some expensive dish here, but we went for the 'standard' type of dish which wasn't too expensive but extremely tasty. Would definitely go back and try something different (of course the Peking Duck will given a second try!)

Peking Garden
Star House, 3rd floor 3 Salisbury Rd
Tsim Sha Tsui Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tlp: 2735 8211

Chee Kei, Langham Place

I was told that this was one of the best places for noodles and wontons. It apparently won the Michelin star for fast food – I didn't even know there was such at thing! Their 'specialty' is actually wonton noodles, however, they've got delicious crab soups, five types of noodles you can choose from, and set lunches which includes either an entrée or vegetables and a drink all for 80 – 90HKD which is great value!

Was craving for Hainan Chicken rice, so I ordered that, and my friend ordered noodles with pork knuckles. We both ordered the set lunch so I got the vegetables (choy sum with oyster sauce) and she picked the entrée (fried wontons) and we both had a drink each.

The Hainan Chicken was a little bit of a disappointment, mainly the chicken rice, as it had too much 'stuff' in it – i.e. mix vegetables and mushrooms. It wasn't the proper traditional chicken rice that you get from Singapore or the ones that mum makes. It was different. It had too much. It just needed to be simple – cooked in the chicken broth with garlic and salt – that's it. They didn't have to put mix vegetables in it. The mushrooms on the side were great, but again, not required with the rice. The presentation made up for the lack of taste in the rice. It came out in a bamboo dish, like those in yumcha, so I assume it was steamed. The chicken came with the sauces, and the chicken was flavoursome and moist. Pity the rice didn't meet my expectations.

You can never go wrong with choy sum, unless it's totally over or under cooked. The fried wontons were crunchy and not oily.

The place does get busy so make sure you get there before the lunch hour rush. It does get a little noisy, however, we came with a baby and they were very accommodating. Will definitely be back for noodles and wontons I think!

Chee Kei, Langham Place

Wang Fu, Central

One of my ultimate favourite foods is dumplings – loads in carbs but when dipped in vinegar and chilli – what carbs? Who says they have carbs? It has to be 'right' though – the correct texture, the right thickness of skin, and flavouring. If the skin is too thick, it totally ruins the dumplings experience!

I have heard and read about Wang Fu many times, and when my cousin in law wanted to go for dumplings I suggested this place. I thought about Din Tai Fung, but we have that in Sydney and wanted to try something different.

Wang Fu is not a big place, probably could sit around 30 people, and it's not 'flash' but it didn't bother us and it's exactly what we wanted after a few drinks.

My 'ideal' meal would be to get a couple of different types of dumplings, alas, not everyone had the same idea – it was out ruled! After much negotiations, we decided to have 1 boiled shrimp and pork dumplings, chicken and cashew stirfry (very very gwailo food – but funnily enough I was craving for chicken and cashew!) and eggplant stirfry.

The shrimp and pork dumplings were very balanced – you could taste both shrimp and pork. Dipped (sometimes 'drenched) in vinegar and I was a happy camper! I could have seriously eaten a whole plate of it on my own.

Next came the chicken and cashew stirfry – I find this a very non-traditional Asian meal and would order it from time to time. I utterly enjoyed this dish – the chicken was moist and had the 'right' amount of cashews and chillness. One downside would be it was a tad bit oily, but nothing tea can't wash down!

Eggplant is one of my favourite vegetable. Unfortunately I don't get to cook it very often at home as it's not Hubby's favourite meal! So when we go out with friends, I try and order an eggplant dish. This dish didn't disappoint either, the eggplant was cooked extremely well, with capsicum, ginger and onion. Bit on the oily side, but otherwise, it was perfect and a great compliment to the chicken / cashew stirfry.

Great meal at Wang Fu, reasonably cheap also – will definitely go back! Next time will have to try all the different types of dumplings! Was a tad disappointed that we only got one, but its another reason to go back!

Wang Fun, Central
G/F, 98A Wellington St, Central,
Tlp: 2121 8006.

Seabay... dumpling heaven

Whenever someone says 'dumplings', my eyes light up! Who doesnt like those meat filled pastries that are slightly fried, boiled or steamed - not all together of course! So when hubby said why don't we have dumplings tonight for dinner, I wasn't going to say no!

Seabay has been around for a very long time, it used to be an old, dark and dodgy little place on pitt street, but they have done it up the past couple of years. Its not so dodgy, but very bright and shinny - on some nights you definitely need your sunnies! It is so bright! Thankfully, the owner hasn't changed and you are guaranteed a delightful meal.

As much as I love just eating with hubby, the more the merrier right? More food and more choices, and who better than my brother and his gf to join - I know how much they both LOVE food :)We pretty much knew what we wanted to order - the usual choice of dumpling and noodles. Fried dumplings of course - slightly pan fried on the outside, and moist on the inside. I usually saturate my dumpling in vinegar and chilli! Although, everyone is different, some have it with just with soy sauce, and some just as it is! You get a good serving of dumplings - 12 on the plate.

The fried noodles is also quite generous - it's apparently 'hand made' and it comes with either beef / chicken or pork. We opted for the beef and it came out quickly. I am still not 100% sure if its handmade, I know the dumplings are as I have peeked in the kitchen and have seen a couple of older ladies sitting there tunning dumplings one by one!

We would usually order more dumplings, but thought we would try something different - salt and pepper pork. It came on a bed of shredded lettuce, and looked 'different'. But don't let that fool you! It was tasty! It had the right amount of salt and pepper! Personally, it could be a little bit more spicier, but I am big fan of chilli! Everything just tastes so much better with chilli!

We have never ever ordered this next dish, and I wish I had discovered it earlier - better late than never I guess. Eggplant with seabay 'special' sauce. I am not 100% sure what the sauce is, but it was a slightly saulty, yet sweet. Its like they put honey but it wasnt gooey like. The 'special' sauce was indeed special, and hubby is not usually a big fan of eggplant but surprisingly enjoyed it.

You can never go wrong with Seabay - don't let the door or the dodgy sign fool you! It is child friendly, and one of the best place for dumplings in the city. It is quite reasonable in price, and the staff are friendly, although, might not be as tentative as other chinese restaurant. It is value for money, and definitely worth a visit if you haven't been before.

Seabay - 372 Pitt Street, Sydney

Tel: (02) 9267 4855