Batgung

SisterB and family came to visit over Christmas, and top of their list of things to do was "go for dimsum and have some of those meat buns". If you are visiting Hong Kong, you should follow their lead and make sure to keep at least one lunchtime free to go and eat dimsum.

What is dimsum ? I first asked that question in London's Chinatown, as many of the restaurants there advertise that they serve dimsum. The Chinese man I spoke to said "dumplings", which meant I didn't try them until several years later when I came out to Hong Kong (if you know what an English dumpling is like, and then imagine trying to eat a whole lunch of them, you'll know why!). Read more »

The Batgung Editorial committee met for lunch recently at a new (to us, at least) curry restaurant, the "Bhet Ghat" at 151 Jaffe Rd in Wanchai. Their signs say they serve Nepalese and Indian curries so, thrill-seekers that we are, we stuck to the Nepalese selection. The fact that the menu item for one of the dishes we chose wouldn't be any more specific than "Red meat", and ended with the description that it would "exercise your gums" should have warned us off. But that time the curry-house bravado had set in ... "How hot do we want it ? Ho, ho, ho...."

I won't be ordering it again, though it was definitely interesting to have tried. Not so interesting that you need to try it -- you can just take my word. Turns out the main constituent was dried water-buffalo meat. We wondered if it was part of a government campaign to stop traffic jams on Lantau, but it had been flown in specially for us from Nepal. Read more »

Here's a suggestion for a fun evening out that will both delight your senses, and distill for you much of the essence of Hong Kong. I wish I could say I'd thought this up myself, but I've had it suggested to me by at least a couple of other, more original, people.

You begin at dusk on Victoria Peak. Wallow in the view as the last golden light of day mellows Hong Kong's skyline. And as darkness falls and the city's lights come on, the impossibly spectacular view gets even better. Read more »

Where do you go for a good curry ?

In TST I'd recommend Branto's (Tel: 2366 8171) in Lock Rd, introduced by MrT. It's vegetarian only, and the number of Indian diners there show they are doing something right.

In Causeway Bay there's a cheap and cheerful Indian Restaurant on the corner of Russel St & Percival St - the corner closest to Sogo. I can't remember the name, but look up at the signs and you'll see it, up on the first or second floor. They don't have a liquor licence, so BYOB. Read more »

If you've sat on a bus in the last month or so, you've probably seen the short video clip where Andy Lau encourages staff in the local service industries to go the extra mile and offer excellent service to their customers. We could have done with his help last night ...

Mr B headed to the Dung Wong restaurant in the Tsing Yi Shopping Mall, to join his friends who had arrived a few minutes earlier. The table cloth set the scene, it looked as though it had been walked over ...

Mr B : Have you already asked them for a clean tablecloth? Read more »

A chaan-teng is a restaurant,
For fast food Hong Kong style;
Pull up a stool! Brush off a roach!
Sit down and stay awhile.

Its floors are rank and sticky,
The air is full of smoke.
But listen to your tummy!
The food here is no joke.

Haute cuisine you will not find,
But there's plenty that is nice,
Just so long as you enjoy
Dead critter bits on rice.

Noodles, though, may be your thing,
They're here, in every type.
With squid balls for a topping,
Or maybe steaming tripe.

To wash 'em down you'll need a drink,
But don't look for fine wine;
A beer or tea is good enough Read more »