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On November 6, three chefs will go head-to-head at Silencio in a friendly competition for bragging rights as the winner of Time Out’s Battle of the Sando. Crispy, panko-crusted meat cushioned between two slices of toasted bread, the beloved katsu sando has made its way from Japanese convenience stores onto the menus of underground drinking dens in Tokyo and eventually to Hong Kong. A satisfying mouthful to soak up free pours of beer, spirits and good times, the katsu sando has evolved into many variations. Whether reserved only for those in the know or presented proudly on the menu, in recent years, chefs have adopted and added their own personal touches. Time Out Hong Kong's first Battle Series presented by Asia Miles invites three notable chefs to put up their best version of this utterly satisfying snack. Here’s what to expect from the contenders.
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Anybody who’s been around in Hong Kong for long enough knows that the lifespan of a restaurant here can best be described in blinks - as in blink and you’ll miss it, because they so rarely last. But there are exceptions to this rule, and exceptional they must be to withstand the test of time. Man Ho Chinese Restaurant, the Cantonese fine dining establishment in JW Marriott Hotel in Admiralty, is one such long-standing institution. Famed for its Chinese wedding banquets and elevated Cantonese classic dishes, this renowned restaurant has been serving the city’s most discerning foodies for many years - no small feat in Hong Kong’s competitive food and beverage industry - and earning its stripes as one of the finest kitchens in town. When Man Ho closed its doors for a total makeover of the premises back in June, the city’s gourmands were left understandably bereft. But after four long months of extensive renovations and a complete menu reinvention, this top-of-its-game establishment is finally reopening to the hungry masses on October 14, as part of the JW Marriott’s 30th anniversary celebrations. Already a perennial favourite, it’s hard to imagine how this doyen of dim sum could be improved upon. But word on the grapevine is that some rather substantial transformations have taken place, both in and out of the kitchen, leaving fans with a totally new and improved Man Ho. What should you expect from the comeback of this Canto cuisine heavyweight? By Carla Thomas
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As well as the iconic Tian Tian restaurant, Chatterbox is another one of Singapore’s hottest spots for Hainanese chicken rice. First opened at the Mandarin Orchard Hotel in 1971 and later reputed as among the nation’s premier Hainanese Chicken Rice spots, this world-renowned restaurant has recently made its first overseas debut, the Chatterbox Café, at the brand new cultural-retail destination K11 Musea in Tsim Sha Tsui. For a restaurant that encompasses over 2,000 sq. ft., the tables are a tad bit too “intimate”, but thankfully its atmosphere is enjoyably lively and relaxed enough. There’s a large mural of wildlife animals and tropical plants surrounding the dining area that evokes Singapore’s geology, and this in turn is complemented beautifully by the tasteful decor of Peranakan floor tiles. Chatterbox Cafe’s signature dish, the Mandarin Chicken Rice ($118), sees the restaurant's renowned chicken poached in a rich broth that is made using the exact same recipe as at Chatterbox Singapore. The boneless chicken meat retains its moisture and is smooth, juicy and tender. The enticing chicken skin retains a thin layer of oil that gives it a nice sheen, yet it’s not at all greasy, boasting just the right amount of fat and gelatin underneath. The rice is as flavoursome as the meat. First cooked in chicken stock then folded gently with a small amount of chicken oil, it is fragrant and not overly cloying. Accompanying the meal is the requisite dipping sauce of ground ginger, egg y
Hong Kong's skyline is legendary. Centred on Victoria Harbour, it's a nightly festival of neon and LED lights flickering against glass towers. But it's not necessarily pleasant to huddle amongst the masses at the harbourfront to take in the views. Whether you’re planning a date night or just looking for somewhere to get away from — or above — it all, one of these beautiful rooftop bars in Hong Kong is sure to have you covered. RECOMMENDED: Ground level has its perks, too. Here's some motivation for the next time you want to go bar-hopping in Central.
Ask anyone about our city's burgeoning hip-hop scene, and Hong Kong based rapper and music producer Dough-boy is the name on everyone's lips. Since he started producing music for himself three years ago, the rapper has already warmed up for respectable acts such as Denzel Curry, Higher Brothers and more, as well as collaborated with popular artists such as MC Jin, Jackson Wang, Masiwei of HigherBrothers, and Justin Lo. Dough-boy's name is so well-known in Asia's hip-hop scene, he was even chosen as the only local act to perform at our city's first ever hip-hop festival, Rolling Loud Hong Kong (before it was cancelled, that is). While Rolling Loud is unfortunately no longer happening, we sat down with the artist to pick his brain about our city's music scene, teaching the notorious rapper Bhad Bhabie (a.k.a. the 'Cash Me Ousside' girl from Dr. Phil) important Cantonese slang, and his upcoming music projects.
No matter which side you stand on Hong Kong’s anti-government protests, it hasn’t been easy for anyone to see fighting, protests, petrol bombs and tear gas become commonplace in our once harmonious city. As the relentless cascade of protests hit its fifth month mark, tensions in the city have been at all time high. The four suicides suspected to be connected to ongoing demonstrations, as well as an increasing number of young people who claim they’re willing to risk everything – even their lives – for the movement have thrust the issue of mental health into the public eye, a sobering reminder of mental health care's importance. Mental health care is a serious problem in Hong Kong. According to clinical psychologist and HKU professor Dr. Paul Wong, 13.3% of the local population suffer from some kind of mental health disorder. Yet, our city's patients to doctors ratio is abysmal compared to cities of similar socio-economic standards. The lack of manpower in psychiatry leaves mental health sufferers with little options. The private sector can be expensive, but the public system could mean months before your next appointment. Sure, one can turn to social workers, but they provide such a wide variety of services that it's difficult to know whether they specialise in mental health. "Hong Kong's shortage of psychiatrists can be attributed to many factors,” says Dr. Wong. "The government isn't investing much into providing more mental health services, and the quota for quality c
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The best of Hong Kong
As celebrity chef Paul Prudhomme once put it: you don’t need a silver fork to eat good food. In honour of that adage, the Time Out Hong Kong food team has trawled the islands to sniff out the 51 best bites under 50 bucks. This summer, celebrate the noodle vendors, skewer sellers and eggette experts that make Hong Kong such a wonderful place to eat. RECOMMENDED: Sink your teeth into a spread at some of Hong Kong’s best restaurants.
From sushi to cart noodles, this is the best of the best in our food-obsessed city.
Picking the best photo spots in Hong Kong is tough. After all, our city was practically built for Instagram. There are amazing skyscrapers, beautiful beaches, vibrant neon signs, plenty of fancy looking food and even incredible rocks! What more do you need? Well, how about a guide that makes sure you can hit all the Instagram famous photo spots in Hong Kong so you can make all your followers jealous? That’s what we’re here for. Alternatively, just use this guide to have fun with your friends and to capture some memories. After all, it’s only Instagram, right? By Jianne Soriano, Douglas Parkes and Angel Hong.
With no sales tax, no VAT and malls attached to other malls, Hong Kong is rightly famous as one of the world’s great shopping destinations. Although we appreciate the air conditioned bliss of a well-ventilated shopping centre during the summer, it can be boring to see the same parade of brands in one mall after another. If you’re feeling the need for something different, Time Out presents your ultimate guide to the good, the quirky and the downright best independent shops in Hong Kong.
Lukewarm towards Lamma? Cheesed off with Cheung Chau? Discover the best things to do on Hong Kong’s outlying islands.
We’re spoilt for choice in Hong Kong. Our famously crowded city is stacked and packed with great bars, especially in bustling neighbourhoods like Central and Wan Chai. Whether you prefer to relax over a craft brew, a single malt, a glass of red or a classic cocktail, Hong Kong has an amazing bar guaranteed to have you ordering ‘just one more round’.Let’s get started. And if we miss your favourite, let us know in the comments.
Bombarded with choices from all the things to do in Hong Kong this weekend and looking to step out of the concrete jungle? A calorie-burning hike with jaw-dropping views is just the cure. Hong Kong has no shortage of amazing scenic hiking trails a short distance from city centre, varying in difficulty and offering everything from amazing bird's eye views of our SAR to stunning sunsets. Head to one of our favourite outlying islands to make it a day trip where you can discover more gorgeous hikes and hidden cultural gems. And if hiking is not quite your thing, why not hop on a bike and cycle along one of the city’s best cycling routes?
Escape above the hustle and bustle of the city at these bars with fantastic views and fantastic drinks to match.
We all know that Hong Kong isn’t a cheap place to live. And with exorbitant cemetery plots, the city isn’t even an affordable place to be dead. But there’s no need to panic when payday still seems far off and you’re down to your last dollars. There’s a wealth of free things to do in our SAR and we’ve rounded up the free gigs in Hong Kong's best music venues, free galleries, best comedy shows and much more to keep you going out every day of the week without having to spend a cent.
There are many hidden bars in Hong Kong, did you know? Or are they just so well hidden you had no clue? Well, that’s what Time Out is for. In fact, the whole ‘hidden bar’ thing can sometimes feel like a gimmick or a substitute for actually serving decent drinks. The few establishments like that have given the rest a bad name because some of Hong Kong’s very best bars are ones that are a little secretive and not so easy to find. Read on to discover the best.
