Hong Kong’s Most Unconventional Eats — Bold, Diverse Cuisines To Try

While Chinese, Japanese and Italian fare are certainly scrumptious — they aren’t the most surprising. Venture beyond familiar flavours to experience Hong Kong’s most intriguing, offbeat eateries. These spots offer delicious surprises for the curious foodie.

In a city where culinary traditions reign supreme, Hong Kong’s alternative cuisines invite food lovers to step outside their comfort zone in the most delicious way. We’re lucky to live in a place that welcomes a vast array of culinary concepts, from molecular gastronomy and innovative fusion to authentic cuisines spanning every corner of the globe. Here, you can indulge in everything from fiery Sri Lankan curries to zesty Peruvian ceviche, Scandi seafood favourites and hearty German meat and cheese fests. Hong Kong’s palate of diverse, interesting eats reflects its insatiable appetite for the new and extraordinary.

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Priyo Shaad — Authentic, affordable Bangladeshi cuisine in the heart of town

Renowned for its bold use of aromatic spices, slow-cooked curries and fresh ingredients, Bangladeshi cuisine offers a rich tapestry of flavours that reflect the country’s vibrant heritage and deep-rooted culinary traditions. Hong Kong’s only official Bangladeshi restaurant, Priyo Shaad, is owned by a certified health coach, so butter, cream and sugar aren’t used in dishes. You won’t notice though with the explosive flavours in what are exclusively family recipes. Be sure to order the Kala Bhuan, five-hour slow-cooked beef in a spiced gravy and melt-in-your-mouth beef & vegetable curry (the veggie curry is also delightful for the herbivores among us, and packed with eggplant). 

Priyo Shaad, 29 Aberdeen Street, Central, 6737 4607, Instagram: @priyoshaad

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Chullschick — Bringing Peruvian rotisserie chicken to Hong Kong

While ceviche and lomo saltado are the most iconic dishes that spring to mind first, representing the diverse cultural influences of Peruvian fare, fresh seafood and hearty Andean ingredients are likely to follow. At Chullschick, Peruvian rotisserie chicken is the star of the show, roasted over a slow fire on Algarrobo coals, resulting in just the right balance of tender meat and crispy skin. We always order the Peruvian ceviche with sea bass and tiger’s milk (a citrus-based marinade typically made with lime juice, fish stock and herbs); salchipapa, a popular comfort food dish comprising pork sausage, French fries, mayo and ketchup; and cheese empanadas, packed with parmesan, mozzarella, onion chalaquita and chimichurri sauce. You’ll feel like you’re on the streets of Lima!

ChullsChick Central, Shop D, G/F, 45-53A Graham St, Central, Hong Kong, 2668 3948, Instagram:@ChullsChick
ChullsChick Wan Chai, Shop D, E, F, 2-12 Moon Street, Wanchai, Hong Kong, 6538 0188, www.chullschick.com.hk

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Ivan The Kozak — Hong Kong’s first Ukranian eatery, established in 2001

Offering an authentic taste of Eastern European cuisine since 2001, Ivan The Kozak is Hong Kong’s first traditional Ukrainian restaurant founded by a couple passionate about sharing their homeland’s rich culinary heritage. Its warm, rustic setting is accompanied by all the hearty comfort dishes you’d expect, from the iconic borscht to crispy potato pancakes, succulent chicken Kyiv and savoury varenyky dumplings (all to be washed down with their extensive selection of rare vodkas, wines and beers imported from Eastern Europe). With Ukrainian music playing in the background, there’s no other place in the city quite like it with its cosy, family run charm.

Ivan The Kozak, 63 Parekh House, Wyndham St, Central, Hong Kong, 2851 1193, Instagram: @ivanthekozakhk www.ivanthekozak.com.hk

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Cape Point — African cuisine and delicious grilled skewers Soho side

A vibrant fusion of flavours and traditions, South African cuisine marries influences from indigenous cultures, Dutch, Malay and Indian cuisines to create uniquely delicious dishes like braaia (South African term for a barbecue or grill) and bunny chow (fast food dish consisting of a hollowed-out loaf of white bread filled with curry and a serving of salad on the side). Situated in Soho with a warm, rustic vibe, must-orders at Cape Point include flame-grilled meats and signature dishes chakalaka chicken (chicken skewers seasoned with chakalaka, a spicy South African relish), ostrich steak, bobotie (considered the national dish of South Africa, a gently spiced, baked minced beef casserole topped with a savoury custard) and beef boerewors (traditional South African sausage made from a mix of beef and spices). An impressive selection of South African wines is equally a highlight.

Cape Point, G/F, 21 Staunton Street, Central, Instagram: @capepoint.co.hk

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Heimat — Hong Kong’s only German fine dining restaurant

Renowned for hearty dishes like bratwurst and schnitzel (topped off with sauerkraut for good measure), German cuisine is often perceived as being on the stodgier side. However, Heimat elevates classics with a refined spin, all against the opulence of a chic space comprising a main dining area, two private rooms and open show kitchen and bar in Central’s LKF Tower. Chef Peter Find’s menu offers a reinterpreted cross section of regional German dishes spannning Berlin to Bavaria. Satisfy cravings with the mouthwatering Zwiebelrostbraten, a juicy beef sirloin crowned with onions two ways, paired with all-you-can-eat hand-shaved German spätzle. Pairs perfectly with new signature cocktails featuring ODE, an all-natural, vegan aperitif made in Berlin.

Heimat, 8/F LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham St, Central, Hong Kong, 5279 8108, Instagram: @heimathk, www.heimat.hk

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Embla — Contemporary Nordic fine dining nestled in Sheung Wan

Highlighting fresh seafood, foraged herbs and traditional preservation methods, Nordic cuisine is celebrated for its simplicity. Contemporary Nordic fine dining restaurant Embla, helmed by Chef Jim Löfdahl encapsulates this with menus featuring local, natural and seasonal produce. We tried the three-course summer lunch menu and can attest to the ingredients being the star of the show, showcasing delicate seafood and vibrant vegetables taking on traditional flavours, executed meticulously. Our favourites were the milk bread, rye, spelt, barley and oats served with homemade butter; pan-seared scallops, smoked sugar kelp broth and peas; and yellow chicken, green asparagus, morel mushroom, pine and sea buckthorn.

Embla, 11 Upper Station St, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, 9736 0605, Instagram: @emblahk, www.embla-hk.com

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Hotal Colombo — Fiery Sri Lankan Flavours Heating Up Hong Kong

Bold is the best way to describe Sri Lankan cuisine, an explosive blend of aromatic spices and fresh tropical ingredients in curries, sambol and seafood, striking a perfect balance between sweet, sour, bitter and spicy. The Blacksheep version at Hotal Colombo is inspired by the eateries that spill onto the streets all over Colombo. Chef Gisela Alesbrook, a Sri Lankan native, showcases this underrepresented cuisine with a seafood-focused menu that doesn’t hold back on spice. We are massive fans of the crab kothu (a typical Sri Lankan dish comprising shredded roti, veggies and egg), masala dosas (thin, rice/lentil crepes) and egg hoppers (pancakes made with a batter of fermented rice and coconut milk).

Hotal Colombo, 31 Elgin St, Central Hong Kong, 2488 8863, Instagram: @hotalcolombo, www.hotalcolombo.com

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BRAZA Churrascaria — Hong Kong’s OG All-you-can-eat Brazilian Churrascaria in LKF

Brazilian churrascarias specialise in grilled meat offering an authentic Rodizio-style dining experience, where waiters carve a continuous selection of fire-roasted meats and seafood tableside from large sword-like skewers, a tradition dating back to early 1800s Southern Brazil. Alongside the endless meats — such as beef, lamb, pork, chicken, and sausages — BRAZA Churrascaria features a buffet of gourmet salads, homemade pickles, cured meats, seafood recipes, grilled vegetables and Brazilian staples like feijoada and garlic rice. The rustic decor, vibrant murals and classic Caipirinhas make it a convivial spot for group celebrations. Come hungry!

BRAZA Churrascaria, 3/F Grand Progress Building, 15-16 Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong, 2890 9268, Instagram: @brazachurrascariahk, www.sandshospitality.com/portfolio/braza

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