Page 127 - Off The Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 2 of 2)

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CITIES

ABOVE Dim sum dumplings on a Hong Kong street-food stall
LEFT Aerial view of the market stalls and crowds of shoppers in the
Temple Street night markets of Kowloon.
Tastes of Asia

It is said that Hong Kongers’ two passions are
shopping and food. The range of retailers may be
impressive, but the dining is even better. “Asia’s
World City” boasts a truly globalized food scene.
Cantonese dim sum is highly praised, but Hong
Kong also serves up sublime cooking from across
Asia. Exquisite hotel restaurants historically set the
standard, but fine independent restaurants can
now be found right across the city. At the other
end of the scale, so can market stalls offering some
of the most delicious – and cheap – street food.
The Mid-Levels district boasts an eclectic range
of dining choices, while the boho-chic culinary
styles of Star and Gough streets attract Central’s
smart set. In Kowloon, scores of reputable Cantonese
restaurants line the streets around Nathan Road.
For traditional Chinese food, the venerable Tai
Ping Koon, one of Hong Kong’s oldest restaurants,
dating from 1860, serves a much-appreciated
roasted pigeon. Upscale and expensive Japanese
restaurants abound, but for excellent-value sushi,
maki rolls and tempura, Sushi Mata is a popular
choice with in-the-know locals.
Across the water on Hong Kong Island, light
and fragrant Vietnamese dishes are served with
charming élan at Rice Paper in Causeway Bay. Non-
meat-eaters need not feel left out: Life Café in Mid-
Levels serves vegetarian, vegan, and raw-food
breakfasts, lunches, and a dinner menu including
vegetable stir-fries and Indonesian gado-gado.

Practical Information
Life Café Shelley Street, Mid-Levels, Central; tel. +853 2810 9777;
www.lifecafe.com
Rice Paper 413–8, 4F, World Trade Centre, 280 Gloucester Road,
Causeway Bay; tel. +853 2890 3975.
Sushi Mata 61–5 Chatham Street, Tsim Sha Tsui; tel. +853 2191 4787.
Tai Ping Koon Several branches; www.taipingkoon.com

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