Thursday, November 7, 2013

Seafood Feast & Sunset Beach - Lei Yue Mun, Hong Kong

Lei Yue Mun Seafood and Sunset at Beach Hong Kong
Where to go this weekend? Here's an idea. Some might think that Lei Yue Mun is a typical tourist rip-off place that's not worth visiting. Oh, that doesn't need to be the case. This was my first visit to Lei Yue Mun and I could not believe that I haven't discovered it earlier!

I visited the place with my family and we had an awesome time. I mean... look at THAT beautiful pink sunset. It is just breath-taking.
Lei Yue Mun Seafood and Sunset at Beach Hong Kong
I'd recommend arriving Lei Yue Mun before 5:30 pm, especially if you drive - so that you can still get a parking space easily and you can enjoy the beach and the seafood market a bit before dinner. Once you've arrived, walk towards the seafood market and walk all the way to the beach.

The beach is unique in a way that...there is no fine white sand, but there are shells and broken glass everywhere. I'd recommend wearing appropriate footwear (with thick soles) at the beach.
Lei Yue Mun Seafood and Sunset at Beach Hong Kong

Beautiful display of seafood.
Lei Yue Mun Seafood and Sunset at Beach Hong Kong

Feast for your eyes.
Lei Yue Mun Seafood and Sunset at Beach Hong Kong

We didn't do the "select your own seafood and get a restaurant to cook them" thing. We tried that in Sai Kung and it ended up really expensive. So, this time we chose a set dinner instead.
Lei Yue Mun Seafood and Sunset at Beach Hong Kong

There are some food souvenirs to buy too.
Lei Yue Mun Seafood and Sunset at Beach Hong Kong
Not overpriced at all. We bought pork jerky and it's really yummy.

Lei Yue Mun Seafood and Sunset at Beach Hong Kong
I bought HK$15 worth of honey coated walnuts too. Really nice!

After exploring the market and enjoying the beach, it's time for dinner. We didn't pick any restaurant near the beach with wall to wall sea view. We're pretty happy with this restaurant. Decent seafood, great value for money!
Lei Yue Mun Seafood and Sunset at Beach Hong Kong

Here's our set dinner.
Lei Yue Mun Seafood and Sunset at Beach Hong Kong
We started with a nice fish and tofu soup - which I didn't photograph. Duh! And then this plate of snails. These are nicely cooked, but I just never liked anything of this texture. It came with sweet hoi sin sauce, but I prefer dipping them in soy sauce.

Lei Yue Mun Seafood and Sunset at Beach Hong Kong
Razor clams - beautifully cooked. Sweet and fresh.

Lei Yue Mun Seafood and Sunset at Beach Hong Kong
Scallops. Perfectly cooked and those noodles are SO FLAVORFUL, I'd love to eat them with rice. The perfect companion for the sweet scallop.

Lei Yue Mun Seafood and Sunset at Beach Hong Kong
Abalone. Again, I am not a big fan of abalone texture... I won't look for it, but if it's there, I'd eat it. Nicely cooked.

Lei Yue Mun Seafood and Sunset at Beach Hong Kong
Steamed crab with egg white. Silky smooth egg white. Love love love it. The crab meat's lovely too, but I am not a big fan of crab roe cooked this way.

Lei Yue Mun Seafood and Sunset at Beach Hong Kong
Prawns. Tasty sauce, sweet and fresh, but the meat is just a tiny bit over. I enjoyed licking the shell.

Lei Yue Mun Seafood and Sunset at Beach Hong Kong
Perfectly cooked steamed fish where the meat's satiny smooth but gets off the bone really easily. Love it.

Lei Yue Mun Seafood and Sunset at Beach Hong Kong
Mantis prawn. Perfectly cooked, tasty crispy bits. Licked my fingers clean.

Lei Yue Mun Seafood and Sunset at Beach Hong Kong
The beauty of seafood meal is... that you don't get full so fast. We all needed some carbs at that point. This sticky rice with Chinese sausages is subtly flavored (to me that is equal to being under-seasoned, but I am sure I need to watch my sodium level, or my palate is dead and I can only taste something when it's really salty T_T). This is not ground breaking, but it's nice.

Lei Yue Mun Seafood and Sunset at Beach Hong Kong
I've never been a big fan of lobster, but everybody raved about how much meat we get (daam daam yuk) and how we didn't have to struggle to take out the meat from the lobster's shell. I just enjoyed the noodles. The sauce can be saltier (again, dead palate). It's a nice end to the meal. We got a platter of fresh fruits too. Icy cold but not frozen. Just the way I like it.

The whole meal costs HK$350 per person. Wayyy better price that the seafood meals I had in Sai Kung.

After dinner, enjoy a nice sea-side stroll. The sunset's changed to a sparkling night view.
Lei Yue Mun Seafood and Sunset at Beach Hong Kong
Tips:
- Get there before 5:30 pm for easy parking/exploring the market/beach
- Book restaurant ahead and ask for the price and the set menu

How to get to Lei Yue Mun:
Taxi from Yau Tong MTR Station or ferry from Sai Wan Ho MTR Station

The restaurant we tried:
Kam Lee Loy (funnily, their signage says "Kam Lee Lok")
金利來
G/F 54B Lei Yue Mun Praya Road, Lei Yue Mun. 
Hong Kong.
Address in Chinese for taxi: 鯉魚門海傍道西54B號地下
Tel: +852 2244 3003

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Where To Go This Weekend? Island East Market, Hong Kong

Island East Market is such a sight for Hong Kong sore eyes. Here are some of the gorgeous things I've enjoyed there. I've bought a lottt of stuff, ate yummy food, enjoyed my friends' company, had a great time with my family, and I'm just so pissed off that I don't live anywhere near it. Grrrrrr.

Yummy things from Bread Elements.
Island East Market Hong Kong
I bought a loaf of sourdough. Love love LOVE it.

Island East Market Hong Kong
I've bought the croissants too. I absolutely adore how they are savory enough for me.

Next stop, Gary of Joie de Vivre's burger.
Island East Market Hong Kong
Look at the ordering form. How cute!

Island East Market Hong Kong
I had the duck cassoulet. Even the bread is homemade! OB robbed the chips off my plate T_T

Island East Market Hong Kong
Charlotte's AWESOME LEMONADE! Me. Want. More!

The cutest things in the market last week, Spark Studios' baked goods!
Island East Market Hong Kong
I say if it's too cute to be true, BUY IT!

Halloween is coming and these ghost cake pops are just too adoraBOO!
Island East Market Hong Kong

Gingerbread skeleton man!
Island East Market Hong Kong
Too awesome!

Some gorgeous neck candies...
Island East Market Hong Kong

More gorgeous jewelries.
Island East Market Hong Kong
Hello, wallet, get ready to be emptied.

Time for more savories.
Yummy baos from plusixfive Supper Club.
Island East Market Hong Kong
One is rendang, one is pork. Two for HK$70. I love the pork so so so so much!

Island East Market Hong Kong
I was too full but still wanted to try the laksa. The owners are kind enough to pack the laksa with one of the containers they had. I'm making a mental note to bring my own lunch box next time. I had the laksa at home for lunch ;)

I bought the valrhona chocolate caramel fig tart (HK$48). OMG. SO GOOD!
Island East Market Hong Kong
Can't wait to get my hands on them again.

Island East Market Hong Kong
Strawberry shortcake... next time, next time.

If you don't know where to go this Sunday. NOW YOU KNOW.
Island East Market Hong Kong
Visit their website for more info.
See you there!

Friday, September 27, 2013

Catalunya, Hong Kong

I don't know anything about authenticity - whether or not the flavors of the food served here are the same as the ones in Spain... dadadada gaga oh lala - but most of these dishes are yummy.
Catalunya, Hong Kong
Green asparagus with black truffle, and soft boiled egg. Scrumptious.

Catalunya, Hong Kong
Suckling pig tapa. Crispy skin on both sides. We love it.

Catalunya, Hong Kong
Jamon Iberico croquette. Crispy exterior, creamy and tasty interior. Adore!

Catalunya, Hong Kong
Squid ink black rice with red prawn carpaccio and red prawn essence. Very intense prawn flavor. I love it.

Catalunya, Hong Kong
Cod fritters. Perfectly done. Crispy outside, creamy and tasty inside. They are really good at doing deep fried stuff.

Catalunya, Hong Kong
Calamari Andalusian style with lemon mayo. This one is a "meh" for me.

Catalunya, Hong Kong
Ham, cheese and truffle bikini. They're alright...

Catalunya, Hong Kong
Scrambled egg on a potato bed with chorizo. Tasty.

Catalunya, Hong Kong
Bombas from Barceloneta. Another tasty deep fried treat.

Catalunya, Hong Kong
Prime natural beef rib eye 400gr. Absolutely delicious. Perfectly cooked, tender & tasty with really really lovely sauce. I love it.

Catalunya, Hong Kong
Spanish paella - pork belly, clams, mussels with scampi. It's alright, quite tasty, but didn't blow my socks off. I want a bit of crust, and some of the seafood's not well done - the scampi flesh was rather crumbly...

The sweets...
Catalunya, Hong Kong
Cheese flan. Nice, subtle.

Catalunya, Hong Kong
Torrija, soft and sweet warm bread with smoked milk ice cream. Many of us wanted this because of the "smoked milk" - no smokiness came through but I do adore that charred bread with soft center.

Catalunya, Hong Kong
This is very chocolatey, with a big kick of sourness of something passion fruit that shocked us. Can't help it though... I always order chocolate T_T

Overall, I would totally go back for my favorite dishes.
The 6 of us spent HK$470 per person (we didn't order drinks).

Catalunya
G/F Guardian House Morrison Hill 
32 Oi Kwan Rd, Wan Chai
Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2866 7900
Email: reservaations@catalunya.hk

Great to dine with you again, Jason Bonvivant & Gastronomous Anonymous! It was one heck of a babylicious lunch!

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Sponsored Post: K-Food & CN Blue Video Plus My Kimchi Ramyun Omelette

Are you a fan of Korean food? Do you remember your first Korean food experience? Mine sent me back years ago when I was studying in Sydney. I lived with Korean flatmates, and one of them is an amazing cook. She introduced me to homemade Korean food. I remember the flat always smelling of kimchi as my flatmates made a huge batch and we always had our fridges full of them. Interestingly, I was not in love with Korean food in the beginning, I was probably not as adventurous an eater as I am now. The thing that really got me hooked was… Shin Ramyun instant noodles (well, of course – isn’t it the official international student food?). We always had boxes of ramyun to survive on a student budget, and I still eat them often - up until now :)

I love Korean food a lot more now – thanks to my obsession with Kpop & Kdramas. Anyone with me on this? Tell me I am not the only mad and obsessed ahjumma here. Whenever I see my idols slurping a bowl of ramyun… (I don’t wanna finish this sentence, can you finish it for me?)

Here’s a video of one of my favorite Kpop groups, CN Blue – promoting Korean food. My bias is Jung YongHwa – liked him since You Are Beautiful (I love rooting for the underdogs), and he looks so charming in this video – especially on 00:47 mark where he’s promoting Citron tea. Cuteee! Are you a CN Blue fan? Who’s your bias?


Apart from enjoying my ramyun as per the cooking instructions with a lot of sinful toppings, I also love turning it into an omelette.
Kimchi Ramyun with Spam Omelette

Very easy and tasty. Perfect for breakfasts or cut into smaller portion as a snack. I added kimchi, spam, and cheese too. My favorite combo!
Kimchi Ramyun Omelette Ingredients

Kimchi Ramyun with Spam Omelette
The perfect snack for watching more Kshows and Kdramas 
A cup of citron tea would be lovely too.
Enjoy!

“This post has been sponsored by Korean Department for Agriculture and Trade, but all thoughts are my own"

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

SC Birthday Lunch At Caprice, Four Seasons Hotel, Hong Kong

Caprice Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong SC Birthday 2013
I told SC that I've booked Cafe de Coral (a local fast food chain) deluxe for his birthday lunch. I am sure he didn't believe me. I really need to work on my prank skills :p
Anyway, we went to a special place for a special occasion.

Check out this view, y'all.
View from Caprice. Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong
WOW.

As a start, we were served these free tiny panini.
Caprice Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong SC Birthday 2013
How cute!

Bread & butter. SC said that the tall and slim one = him, and the fat and short one = me.
Caprice Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong SC Birthday 2013
Hmph! Such an annoying guy. I didn't say anything because he's the birthday boy. Pfffft

Caprice Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong SC Birthday 2013
SC chose the tomato gazpacho with Japanese scallops a la Plancha and broccoli puree. It arrived with dry ice and all (good drama for the bday boy), it's yummy and refreshing, perfect for the hot Hong Kong summer day. But the birthday boy concluded that he is not a fan of cold soup. Opppps.

Caprice Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong SC Birthday 2013
I had the Violon zucchini veloute and cannelioni of Provencal Ricotta in virgin olive oil. I love my flavorful, rich and hot soup. I knew it was a hot day but I couldn't resist.

Caprice Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong SC Birthday 2013
SC had the bass. Black sea bass, squid fricassee, white mushrooms and snow peas in natural jus. It's.... nice.

Caprice Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong SC Birthday 2013
I had the braised Aveyron lamb shoulder and Paimpol white beans in Piquillo coulis. It's... nice. The lamb pieces were wrapped in filo pastry... it gave me the feeling as if I was eating.....a very meaty spring rolls.

Caprice Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong SC Birthday 2013
I had the cheeses. The cheese guy chose this selection. First one would taste like cheese ice cream, very creamy and smooth. Second one's fruity, the third one has lots of crystallized salt in it (I told them I like salty), and the last one would transport me to a farm where it was made. It really did.

Caprice Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong SC Birthday 2013
SC ordered dessert, but it was really my choice (oooops) and I love love love it. This is the pineapple and pabana tart, lime meringue and coconut ice cream. How cute are those tiny coconut with chocolate coconut "shells"!!! I absolutely adore this. Not too sweet, it has something tangy, sweet, creamy, salty, crunchy, chewy. It has everything. I love it.
PS. How does one cut a mango into a thick coin shape like that?

Caprice Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong SC Birthday 2013
The petit four, coffee and tea were served. I was beginning to worry about the birthday cake I ordered. I didn't specify when the cake should be served, and since there's no sign of it after petit four, I almost thought that they've forgotten about it.

But they didn't (of course). When I called for the bill, our server got the cake and walked with his back towards us to hide the cake from SC. How cute!
Caprice, Four Seasons Hotel, Hong Kong

This is one of the best cakes I've ever tasted. It has rich caramel flavor and lots of crunchy hazelnuts. I was a bit disappointed by how it looked, it's slanted and not as perfect as I imagine it would be... coming from the place. But the flavors made up for it. It's really really yummy.
Caprice, Four Seasons Hotel, Hong Kong
And a plus for our server to have done this maple leaf pattern and the dots table side. He impressed the birthday boy.

It's weird that he plonked the cake on top of the maple leaf pattern he has beautifully painted...
Caprice, Four Seasons Hotel, Hong Kong
but we enjoyed it nonetheless. Happy birthday, SC!

Caprice
+(852) 3196-8860
I did my booking about a month in advance via email (yay! I absolutely hate doing phone bookings)

Set lunch HK$480 per person for 2 courses or HK$540 per person for 3 courses + 10% service charge.
The cake = HK$260.