Hong Kong’s fickle dining scene often demands that playing it safe trumps authenticity. When overheads are so high, sometimes risks just aren’t worth taking. But Canadian chain Mr Greek’s first venture in Asia bucks this trend. That this new Hellenic heaven has opened in the thick of Prince Edward and Mong Kok’s prime street food district is its first tick in the authenticity box. After all, you’re more likely to find a souvlaki streetside in Athens than in a restaurant. The authenticity extends to the menu where much of the produce is imported from Greece.
We start with some fried calamari ($65), which is juicy and crispy, as well as a perfect vehicle for the bang-on tzatziki on the side. The white stuff also appears in abundance in the chicken souvlaki pitta ($40), with hearty portions alongside fresh veggies encased in a fluffy bread wrap. Mr Greek honours the Mediterranean traditions of using chicken breast and it comes tender and well-seasoned. We add a generous serving of Greek salad ($30) and the flavours of the beautifully fresh produce remind our palates of the Med.
Authenticity is often sacrificed due to a lack of education or a venue just simply selling out. But it’s refreshing when an eatery keeps to the culinary traditions of the cuisine it’s showcasing. There was an adrenalin-pumped revolution around Mong Kok and Prince Edward earlier this year – and Mr Greek is carrying on those change-the-way-things-are-done sentiments in the tastiest way possible.