We’re a week into July, and with exciting events like international artist Joan Cornellà returning to Hong Kong for a large-scale art exhibition, the Hong Kong Book Fair, and an exclusive pop-up from British designer Anya Hindmarch, this month is shaping up to be a fun-filled one. But if you need a break from the sweltering heat, why not take shelter while grabbing a bite at some of the city’s new dining venues? Here are five new must-try restaurants in Hong Kong you need to check out.
Eating hot and spicy food can help cool you down in hot weather. It sounds counterintuitive, but when you work up a sweat while eating, it cools you down as it evaporates. With that in mind, Sichuan-based fiery hotpot chain Shoo Loong Kan has opened its first Hong Kong branch in Lee Theatre Plaza. They’ve got a supreme beef tallow spicy broth made with blended chillies and spices that’ll tantalise your taste buds, but the signature Tianfu yeast preserved soup base is a milder option if you’d prefer something more mellow instead. As for hot pot add-ins, the restaurant offers a wide selection of premium beef cuts, fresh seafood items such as fish heads and prawns, as well as a variety of fresh veggies.
Ok, so they’re not technically a restaurant, but we think Pineapple Bakery in Sheung Wan definitely deserves to be on your radar. Like their name suggests, this bakery specialises in pineapple buns, one of Hong Kong’s most beloved staple baked goods, but they’ve jazzed them up by using premium ingredients like free-range Ping Yuen chicken eggs and French AOP butter. Since opening for business this month, Pineapple Bakery has been the talk of the town amongst local foodies, and their pineapple buns are selling out like hotcakes. Only 88 of their coveted buns are sold daily, so refer to their Instagram to see when the baps come fresh out of the oven. Don’t forget to try their other offerings like classic and pandan-flavoured cocktail buns or pork floss bun filled with bacon and scallion cream cheese, and pair it all with their nitrogen-brewed silk stocking milk tea (which also comes with a cute mini pineapple bun).
3. Thai Pai Dong (Central)
Since opening in September 2024, Thai Pai Dong has become one of the hottest spots in town for authentic Thai fare, and has recently opened a brand-spanking-new branch on Staunton Street, which means you won’t have to commute to Jordan for their scrumptious Thai plates. Expect to chow down on Wagyu beef boat noodles, pad kee mao (drunken noodles), crab meat omelette, and more. Unlike its flagship venue in Jordan, Thai Pai Dong’s Central branch offers Thai-inspired cocktails after 9.30pm, and we reckon this outpost will be popular for those unwinding after a long day.
4. Moodle by the Grand
Moodle by the Grand is the place to be if you find yourself craving a big bowl of noodles. This restaurant in Wan Chai’s Hopewell Centre specialises in regional noodle dishes from all across China, so you won’t find any rice dishes on their menu. Whether you like Beijing’s savoury zha zhang mian (black bean sauce noodles), Shaanxi’s youpo biangbiang noodles tossed in oil, or Cantonese braised beef shank and tripe noodles, they’ve got it all. Don’t forget to pair your dishes with Moodle by the Grand’s curated tea set inspired by the five elements, or opt for delectable Chinese desserts like osmanthus jelly cake with bird’s nest.
Chef Archan Chan and teammate Johnathan Leung of Ho Lee Fook have joined forces to open Peng Leng Jeng, a pop-up dai pai dong in the heart of Central. This joint venture gets its name from a popular Cantonese slang that directly translates to ‘cheap, beautiful, and great’, which represents the dining experience here. On their menu, you’ll find all sorts of plates like crispy oyster omelette, Hong Kong-style mala chicken in a sizzling clay pot, crispy pork ribs tossed in mayonnaise, and plenty more. Be sure to pair your sizzling hot dishes with an ice-cold bottle of Blue Girl, or ask the restaurant’s staff for their wine list if you’d prefer something classier. This neon-drenched venue will only be around until August 31, so you’d better book your tables fast if you want to experience this quintessential Cantonese dining experience.
Click here for even more new restaurant openings in Hong Kong, and more information about these dining venues.
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