Best char siu, top dim sum, comforting noodles: Hong Kong physiotherapist’s fave food spots
- Hong Kong personal trainer Ryan Tan eats clean during the week, but at weekends anything goes
- He reveals where he thinks does the best barbecued pork, his favourite dim sum place, and an Indian restaurant that makes a great date nightspot
Ryan Tan is a Chinese-Australian sports trainer and physiotherapist at Joint Dynamics in Hong Kong.
I love eating. There’s no doubt about that. I enjoy many different types of cuisine: Japanese, Italian, Indian, Middle Eastern, Korean, and of course, Chinese food. I generally try to eat fairly “clean” during the week, prepping my own lunches and dinners at home. However, on the weekend is when the party for my tummy starts.
I recently tried Maison Libanaise (10 Shelley Street, SoHo, tel: 2111 2284) after multiple people’s recommendations. The food was authentic, flavoursome and the decor was great. Sit on the rooftop for a nice dinner with some mates. I really enjoyed their hummus and pita bread, and you should definitely try the harissa cauliflower.
I grew up eating noodle soup, so it’s comfort food for me. Since moving to Hong Kong, my girlfriend has introduced me to TamJai SamGor (several locations including Island Building, 439-441 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, tel: 2442 2616), a local chain of noodle soup restaurants. It’s no frills, big on flavour and a true Hong Kong institution. They have many outlets, but we think the best one is at Hong Kong airport’s Terminal 2 (Shop 5P025, 5/F, non-restricted area, Chek Lap Kok, tel: 2331 2800). Don’t forget to order a side of chicken wings.
If you want great Korean food that’s not just barbecue, Ssal Bori Ssal (Brilliant Court, 78 Kimberley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2736 8444) is another favourite. The decor brings me back to being in Seoul. Don’t miss the kimchi chigae (kimchi stew), beef bibimbap and the seafood pancake.
Being from Perth, Little Creatures (New Fortune House, 2-5A New Praya, Kennedy Town, tel: 2833 5611) reminds me of home. I absolutely love this microbrewery’s decor, food and, of course, beers. I generally go for their pale ales, my favourite beer. A Sunday session with a couple of bevvies caps off a long week.