Hong Kong’s best Japanese cocktails, izakaya and seafood, according to a Thai entrepreneur who lived in Tokyo for 14 years
- Thai native Mintra Sudngam grew up eating street food in Bangkok, and developed a taste for Japanese cuisine while living in Tokyo
- In Hong Kong, restaurants such as Toritama and Kinjo’s Izakaya transport her to Japan, Lamma is her place for seafood and Chino her go-to for tacos
Thai native Mintra Sudngam operates an online surf ware and apparel business in Japan and moved to Hong Kong over a year ago. She spoke to Andrew Sun.
Growing up in Bangkok, I ate street food full of flavours, where the sauces and seasonings were just as important. It’s all about the combination, with the right mixture of spices and herbs.
That changed when I moved to Tokyo, where I lived for 14 years. Japan taught me to appreciate food in a completely different way. The art of simplicity, how a piece of fish on simple cooked rice could taste so sweet and melt in your mouth. I learned about craftsmanship and quality of ingredients in preparing beautiful meals.
Chino (G/F, 1B-1C New Praya Kennedy Town, Kennedy Town. Tel: 2606 0588), the fusion Mexican restaurant, has a great vibe with excellent cocktails and highballs. Their little tacos are well prepared and amazing. The staff is always friendly and welcoming.
The spices and the aromas of Chilli Fagara’s (7 Old Bailey Street, Central. Tel: 2796 6866) Sichuan food is irresistible. I keep going back because everything on that menu is to die for. I cannot get enough of it.
I take newcomers to Lamma Island and show them a different side of Hong Kong. We’d take a quick dip at Hung Shing Yeh beach and then set off for a relatively easy hike to get the appetite going, and finish at the Lamma Rainbow Seafood Restaurant (23-27 First Street, Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island. Tel: 2982 8100) for some fresh catches while watching the sunset.
I like Toritama (2 Glenealy, Central. Tel: 2388 7717) for very special occasions. The yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) joint also does the best Japanese cocktails. My two favourites are the Lemon Sour and Ume Chu on the rocks. Food is very authentic, the service impeccable, just like what you get in Japan. I recommend the shoulder, chicken oyster, tsukune (chicken meatballs) and tail for yakitori.
For great simple food at a reasonable price, I go to Kinjo’s Izakaya (27 Elgin Street, Soho. Tel: 2362 9992). It feels very authentic and homey. Every time I go, I feel transported back to a local Japanese shop near where I used to live.
Kinjo-san always greets you with a smile and “Irasshaimase”(“Welcome” in Japanese) as you open the door and there’s no loud music. Grilled tuna head is what I go for, with cold Japanese beer, fresh sashimi and Okinawan cuisine. It is my comfort food.
In Japan, Ezo Seafood (170-165 Yamada, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido. Tel: +81 136 22 3019) is a place I miss. Last time, we queued up in heavy snow before they opened because we couldn’t get a reservation. I have never tasted crab so sweet and uni so fresh, it was creamy like ice cream. It’s one of my best ski trip memories.
In Bangkok, I have been going to Som Tum Nua (392/14 Soi Siam Square 5, Rama 1 Road, Bangkok. Tel: +66 81 257 6384) for 20 years. The taste and quality has not changed, serving simple northeastern-style Thai dishes.
As soon as you walk in, the whole place smells of lime, chilli and spices. It brings back great memories of my childhood and friends. The pork neck, tom sab (pork ribs hot and sour soup) and som tum (papaya salad) with sticky rice are my go-to dishes, topped off with fresh coconut juice. If I had to choose a last meal, this would be it!
