[Review 7231] @ 唐記包點 Tong Kee Bao Dim

18/02/2019
唐記包點  Tong Kee Bao Dim
將軍澳欣景路8號新都城中心2期地下街市M105-M106號舖
Shop M105-M106, G/F, Wet Market, MCP Central Phase II, 8 Yan King Road, Tseung Kwan O
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/tong-kee-with-a-dining-area-e3310016
SADLY this wet market has been renovated and this delicious dimsum place had to shut down.
Anyway, there  is now a smaller dimsum joint called Tong Kee Bao Dim which is not really new but one of the leaders in Takeaway dimsum.
Evidently it is very successful with branches everywhere BECAUSE HONG KONG PEOPLE JUST HAVE TO HAVE THEIR DIMSUMS.
However it is interesting why they would have such a branch with a dine in area or perhaps MCP  is encouraging some specific joints to have a dine in area for customers. Currently Kingyo tea, Koi and TP teas which are takeaways have dine in areas at MCP.
A while ago, I overheard a conversation that malls are not being so strict with what shops/restaurants can rent a shop what but saying that another shop in Whampoa who said they were not allowed to sell too much snacks but focusing on other products.
Went here twice as on the first round, I only two items to see if they were edible.
It was a pity I did not take a photo of the gyoza when I got it as there was a biro mark on it which I was definitely not eating.
THE LADY ALMOST ATTEMPTED TO JUST REMOVE THE BLUE SPOT BUT AS IT PROVED DIFFICULT SHE FINALLY EXCHANGED THE GYOZA.
SHE LAUGHED IT OFF SAYING IT WAS THE INGREDIENTS USED WHEN CLEARLY IT WAS PEN INK!
Or perhaps this is their new stylish instaworthy gyoza!
The gyozas were actually quite good because the pork and oil was fresh. The buns are basically the same as the steamed ones but pan fried.
Went there again as the gyozas and buns deemed fit for consumption and this time I got a box and some sauce which was not given to me on the first round.
The satay beef bun was sweeter filled with lots of beef inside.

[Review7230] The Spicy Spirit is with you in Kowloon @ 麻神麻辣火鍋 (旺角)Spicy Spirit

17/02/2019
麻神麻辣火鍋 Spicy Spirit
旺角彌敦道558-560號譽發廣場4樓
4/F, Grand Place, 558-560 Nathan Road, Mong Kok
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/the-spicy-spirit-is-with-you-in-kowloon-e3308828

Spicy Spirit caused a stir when their first branch landed in Causeway Bay.
Lots of people were raving about how good their Spicy ducks blood was.
Well the good news is that Spicy Spirit is on the Kowloon side to satisfy the cravings of duck blood thirsty people!
There are lots of broths to choose from but we got the fish maw chicken and the Spicy Spirit signature.
The Spicy broth was memorable as the aniseed flavour is strong.
The cubes of ducks blood were silky and moreish which is why one or two is not enough hence another round of jelly cubes!
Also had the ready to eat beef bowl which had tripe, tendon and beef but I found it spicier than the pot itself.
Next were the hotpot ingredients with unusual ones like egg dumplings, purple rice cake and crispy rib puffs.
Last but not least were the vegetables which had my favourite Crystal ice plant and garland chrysanthemum.
Finished with the mocktails which were all seasons!
Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.
My favourite was the Winter which comes with a lighted Cinnamon Stick.

[Review 7229] Chinese soup Specialist @ 仁和堂龜苓膏專門店

17/02/2019
仁和堂龜苓膏專門店
觀塘康寧道25-39號地下8號舖
Shop 8, G/F, 25-39 Hong Ning Road, Kwun Tong
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/chinese-soup-specialist-e3308243

Chinese soup Specialist
2019-02-17  115 瀏覽
As well as soups, this joint specializes in Tortoise Jelly and Herbal Teas.
I love soups so went here for it and there are so many types of soup for different health benefits.
Got the silkie chicken soup because  which had lots of chicken in it as well as herbs.
The taste was strong and not watered down which is makes it worth it and the chicken is still tender enough to eat.
Will try other soups next time.

[Review 7228] Indeed it was VERY GOOD! @ Very Good Eat

17/02/2019
Very Good Eat
九龍城侯王道97號置金閣地下10號舖
Shop 10, G/F, Chi Kam Court, 97 Hau Wong Road, Kowloon City

https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/indeed-it-was-very-good-e3308202

Indeed it was VERY GOOD!
2019-02-17  499 瀏覽
I love Spicy ducks blood and Spicy stinky/smelly tofu but you can only get these at hotpot places.
At Very Good Eat, they serve all my favourites which is served similarly to hotpot style.
They cook the ingredients of your choice and serve it in a small portion of spicy broth.

It is pretty affordable and you can order items which you specifically want without having to go to a hotpot.
I got the ducks blood, luncheon meat and smelly tofu.

Both the tofu and ducks blood were a treat and delicious with rice which I bought nearby.
The tofu blocks were huge, soft and mushy.
Will definitely be back for more.

[Review 7227] Sugarfree juice I hope @ 田園果汁

17/02/2019
田園果汁
九龍城福佬村道92-94號馬樹大廈地舖
G/F, Ma Shu Bldg, 92-94 Fuk Lo Tsun Rd, Kowloon City
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/sugarfree-juice-i-hope-e3308186

Sugarfree juice I hope
2019-02-17  96 瀏覽
Went to this juice joint randomly as they had carambola juice.
I requested it without sugar just in case it had sugar because some places do add sugar.
Although there were lots of people, the juice came quite quickly.
It was quite thick and syrupy but then some fruits are syrupy when they are blended.

Overall, it tasted quite nice without the bitterness of the carambola skin.
I didn't see them juice it but it makes me curious how many carambolas are needed for this large cup.

[Review 7226] Sweet & Sour Pork Specialist @ 咕咾 (已結業)Goolo

16/02/2019
咕咾 (已結業)Goolo
尖沙咀柯士甸路15號金巴利大廈B座地下C舖
Shop C, G/F, Block B, Kimberley Mansion, 15 Austin Avenue,, Tsim Sha Tsui
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/sweet-and-sour-pork-specialist-e3307523'

Being raised in UK, most of my so called Chinese foods that I've eaten come from Takeaways and Chinatown.
It's a shame that Hong Kong being the home of Chinese food doesn't serve good Chinese food unless you fork out at expensive places or hunt for it at some smaller joints.

Since coming to Hong Kong, I have rarely had sweet and sour pork because restaurants get away with coating rubbish fat and meat with flour and thinking they can get away with.
Theoretically they do as for some strange reason people do eat crap and they can't even taste foods that have gone wrong or rancid,

Hence ordering sweet and sour pork is a waste of money as you are just biting into pieces of fat and crap, whereas you get pieces of real meat in other countries.

The main issue is the meat because it is not fresh and often the chefs just use too much oil and seasoning.
I am so glad that some Western restaurants have set a good standard such as Madame Ching and Yum Cha.

At Goolo, I was impressed that you could choose the pork for the sweet and sour.
You get to choose from Pork shoulder, Pork Jowl and Pork Brisket.
I liked the way the sauce is served separate and they have 5 different sauces for you to choose from.
In UK , the sauce was always served separate in some takeaways so that the pork can remain crispy by the time you  take it home.

Another item I had to try was the sparkling sugar cane herbal tea so I had that as a set with the sweet and sour pork.
I chose the pork shoulder as I wanted lean meat.
It was coated in corn starch which is the same as the coating used in takeaways so I found it comforting already.
After taking a bite, it was just like the sweet and sour pork in UK with a decent piece of meat in the middle.
The pork was so tasty as the frying oil was fresh which didn't ruin the crispy coating.
THE MOST IMPORTANT BIT WAS THAT IT WAS FRESH AND IT DIDN'T HAVE WEIRD BITS OF FAT AND GRISTLE SO I WAS PLEASED.
I know HKD39 is a bit much paying for a few pieces of pork but paying HKD50+ for crappy sweet and sour pork with only one piece of pork that is edible is a bigger waste.

As for the sweet and sour sauce, I liked it as it was more tart than sweet but frankly it tasted like tomato ketchup mixed with vinegar.
But technically the Sweet and sour sauce recipe in UK does have vinegar as I have seen it being made before.

Last but not least, the sparkling drink was so damn good that I wish I could get this drink more often as it wasn't too sweet.

[Review 7225] [Bombay Kitchen] Astounding Indian Fare in Kowloon @ 孟買廚房 Bombay kitchen

16/02/2019
孟買廚房 Bombay kitchen\
九龍城城南道72-74號地舖
G/F, 72-74 South Wall Road, Kowloon City
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/bombay-kitchen-astounding-indian-fare-in-kowloon-e3307519

[Bombay Kitchen] Astounding Indian Fare in Kowloon
2019-02-16  189 瀏覽
Spotted this Indian joint a few days ago and I wasn't sure whether to try it or not as I was worried it would be localized especially in Kowloon City.
On one side it was English and the other side was Chinese so I thought it was two restaurants.
I have always heard "mangmai" on the Chinese weather forecast but never knew that it was Bombay until now when I was told the Chinese name of this restaurant.
Anyway, decided to try it after browsing the menu as it had almost everything but they said the menu would be changed soon which is why I had to try it now!
They even had Bhurji and Momo on the menu!

Every dish we had was fantastic so I would definitely recommend this if you are in Kowloon City.

Started with the fried rice which I usually order because it always tastes better than Chinese Salty Oily fried rice.
Although they used Jasmine rice and not Basmati rice, it was still good.
To accompany the rice, had it with egg bhurji and lamb sagwala.
The egg bhurji was slightly drier than the one I had at Noble Spice but still tasty with lots of spices.
The sagwala was also as good as Chautauri but had a super fiery kick to it.
Also had some plain rice to go with the curry and my favourite jeera aloo.
I was so pleased with the Jeera Aloo potatoes as they were fluffy in the middle with a crispy exterior laced with herbs.
Definitely will be returning to try the Aloo Gobi and Butter Chicken!!