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Two-month pop-up restaurant 888 Fatfatfat opens in Central

  • Restaurants, Pop up restaurant
888 Fatfatfat
Photograph: FC
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Time Out says

The hidden Chinese restaurant will run from October 15 to December 5

No, we would never call you fat! The pop-up restaurant’s name is actually based on the auspicious and most favoured number in modern Chinese culture, eight (8), owing to the fact that it sounds like the Chinese word ‘fat’ (發) which is short for ‘fat choi’ (發財) which means to get rich or make a fortune – hence the play on words. 

The pop-up concept is also inspired by the legendary land of Chinese mythology, Mount Penglai, where eight immortals would come for a mega ceremonial feast. Much like the ancient story, the pop-up is designed to look ethereal, with soft textures and dreamy white and gold accents throughout the space. 

Tucked away inside another restaurant, Shanghai Garden in Exchange Square, 888 Fatfatfat will serve dishes that explore regional Chinese food through modern eyes, while also offering a noodle bar (dishes start from $138) for lunch and unique dining experience for dinner. 

Headed by veteran Chinese chef Wong Hon-keung, with input from green food pioneer and chef Peggy Chan of Grassroots Initiatives, the menu is designed for sharing with vegan, vegetarian, seafood, and meat dishes to try. Highlights from the menu include Peking ‘duck’ wraps ($238) which uses cured jackfruit that tastes so meaty it could fool a carnivore; a take on a typhoon shelter classic using Scottish razor clams ($328) cooked with black garlic and vermicelli; and Henan 8 Immortal’s Chicken ($428) which supposedly was one of the Qianlong Emperor’s favourite dishes and is CFC (Chinese fried chicken) at its best: crispy on the outside and ridiculously juicy on the inside. 

If you can’t decide on dishes, a tasting menu called the 888 Experience is available ($888 per person) and comes with either a baijiu tasting flight (usually $288) or two cocktails from the menu. A range of Chinese inspired cocktails such as a tea-infused Smokey Bohea ($128) or Misty Mountain cocktail ($88), and even an 888 punch bowl with Shaoxing wine ($328) to share, is on the menu.

To enter the restaurant, a lady dressed in white will lead you inside, where fun games have been planned to help break the ice. First up, a golden button on the table that says ‘不醉無歸’ (which literally translates to ‘you can’t go home until you’re drunk!’) urges you to opt for free-flow red or white wine ($328), while other activities based on Chinese traditions such as ‘kau chim’, a fortune-telling practice, and an antique abacus, will test your knowledge on Chinese culture.

For more information on the pop-up restaurant, follow 888 Fatfatfat on Instagram or book online to experience it first hand.

Enter via Shanghai Garden, Shop 402, 4/F, Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Rd, Central

Fontaine Cheng
Written by
Fontaine Cheng

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