Becoming Kokusaijin: Hong Kong

Showing posts with label Hong Kong. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Eating My Way Through Hong Kong

I love Chinese Food.

Despite Japan's proximity to China, Chinese food here is pretty atrocious. "Japanized" Chinese food is not Chinese food. Sure, it's presented nicely and looks appetizing, but the taste... it takes everything that makes Chinese food so explosive and tones it down for a Japanese palate.

I even miss Americanized Chinese food: strong, if simplified flavors, full of oil and salt. (Let's be honest--who doesn't love Panda Express?)

But growing up in California, I was blessed with access to some pretty authentic Chinese food. There are places where you are at a disadvantage for not speaking Cantonese. Or there are places where the menu is only partially translated into English (to get the good stuff, you need someone who can read Chinese). That's a sign of authenticity.

That's the Chinese food I miss.

So I can safely say living in Japan, I haven't eaten real Chinese food in a year (Taiwan in February 2011).

This trip to Hong Kong was long overdue.

What did I do? I ate. A lot and often. I ate when I was hungry. More often than not, I ate when I was full.

And it was fantastic. Hong Kong truly is a foodie's paradise. I'm not normally one to take pictures of food or rave about the restaurants I went to, but Hong Kong warrants an exception.

Here are some of the highlights:

Dry Beef Chow Fun (乾炒牛河)

Growing up, this was my family's staple, go-to Chinese takeout. It's the dish I missed the most, and possible to hardest to recreate/find in Japan. It was my first meal in Macau, my first meal in Hong Kong, as well as my last meal at HK airport before leaving.

Pork Ribs in Black Bean Sauce (港式點心–豆鼓排骨)

From the Michelin starred, yet extremely affordable, Tim Ho Wan (添好运点心专门店). Though I've had this dish many times in my life, this one is the best version I've ever had.

Cha Siu Bao (叉燒包)

At a market. So simple, yet amazing.

Egg Waffle (鷄蛋仔)

I don't eat sweets but damn, this was really good.

Tak Fat Beef Balls (德發牛肉丸)

This was fun--going down a dark alley, into a mostly abandoned section of a market. No tourists, no English. Wandering aimlessly. Passing other stalls trying to get us to eat at theirs. Eventually, finding our stall as written about on Openrice and in Lonely Planet. Sitting down on a greasy stool at an even greasier table. The reward: a hearty bowl of beef balls and noodles for under 30$HK (300 yen).

Potstickers (餃子)

What Japanese gyoza is derived from. Also bought off the street. I'd like to note that this is right after dinner.

Stinky Tofu (臭豆腐)

Smells so bad, yet tastes so good... you can literally smell this one from a block away. This is right after eating lunch.

Claypot Rice (煲仔飯)

I've never tried this before in my life--it's a claypot with sausage, meat, and sauce over rice. Perfect on a chilly HK night.

Disneyland Little Green Men

Only at Hong Kong Disneyland. Dim sum at the Crystal Jade Restaurant, Disneyland Resort. It was strangely satisfying to bite into these.

After this whirlwind, gastronomical tour, you'd think my craving for Chinese food would have been satiated. Or at least, partially subsided.

Nope. If anything, it made it worse.

So even if it's just an extended layover, I definitely foresee a trip to Hong Kong in my near future...

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Macau: Vegas of the East?

What makes Vegas, "Vegas?" Is it the excessive eating? The prolific gambling? Drug use? Binge drinking? Sex? Glitz and glamour in stark contrast to all the dirt and grime a few streets over?

Yes. To all of the above.

Seems promising. Look! There's even a Wynn!

So when I was told about Macau, the so called "Vegas of the East," I was intrigued. I mean, after spending a significant portion of my last quarter Senior Year in Vegas, I missed it. Not that I wanted to necessarily partake in all the immoral and illicit activities aforementioned, of course... (I actually was DD for a significant portion of my Vegas experiences), but it was more the atmosphere I missed. The freedom to do what one wants. Las Vegas is where people can, and do, lose themselves in the moment, whether for better or for worse. In essence, a true Disneyland for adults.

Macau is no Vegas.

At least the fountain at the Venetian is the same...

Don't let the similar names and brands fool you. Granted, there is still a seedy underbelly like Vegas (ex. a "sauna" offers a broader range of "special treatments" than a normal spa). But there's no drinking culture! Whether you gamble at a table or a machine, servers come by to offer you tea or water. That's it. No beer. No wine (though I heard you can still get sangria at the Lisboa). No AMFs or Long Islands. Nothing.

The only drink in my only night in Macau. Not even from a bar, but from a restaurant.

It makes sense--catering to mostly mainlanders, Macau is not attracting the whole, "what happens here, stays here," kind of crowd. It's more of a, "Gamble big, play serious, win or GTFO." You go to Macau to gamble. Maybe relax with a "lady friend" when you're done if you're into that sort of thing. And that's it. No multitude of Cirque du Soleil, magic acts, comedians, or musicals. No Fashion Show Mall, Miracle Mile or Forum Shops. And definitely no 190 Octane Fat Tuesdays with extra shots of Everclear.

One thing that Macau has over Vegas--a rich history.

So after a quick loss on a Sic Bo table and a bit of sightseeing (the Portuguese architecture is, admittedly, quite beautiful), it was off to Hong Kong.

Note: As a fellow traveler pointed out, there are forms of entertainment in Macau (shows, clubs, etc.). It's just not on the same scale as Vegas, or even a large city. And it's not the say I wouldn't go to Macau again--I'll be back when I have a lot more money to blow.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Winter Break 2011-2012!

It's finally here! It's a few days before my Winter Vacation and I've compiled a list of things I want to do. So now I ask--What would you do in these locations?