Author Archives: Razlan

The One With Ichiran Ramen – Going Gaga Over Japanese Noodles

It has been more than a year since I last blogged about Ichiran Ramen. Back then, I was mocking those people whom spend hours queuing for a bowl of Japanese noodles.

Oh, how my tune has changed. Now I am one of those people who wouldn’t mind spending an hour in line just to be seated in one of those cramped booths for a speedy bowl of those – in my honest opinion – pure heaven.

Food aside, the whole experience itself is already very captivating. First, you are presented with this simple checklist so that you can customise you own Ichiran ramen experience:

Ichiran Ramen Hong Kong

There are many things you can specify about your ramen – from flavour strength, richness, amount of garlic, level of spiciness to noodle texture. There’s also a few ingredients you can top of your Ichiran Ramen with (not unlike street cart noodles), like green onion, slice pork, mushrooms and dried seaweed.

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The One With Cova Hong Kong – Disappointing Valentine’s Lunch

On retrospect, I should have known better than to have walk into an available restaurant at peak hour on Valentine’s Day. We were out shopping for the day, and I had always wanted to dine at the posh looking Cova Restaurant at Pacific Place. The running theme was lobster, and I thought it would be an apt thing to splurge on for Valentine’s Day.

Oh, how wrong I was.

Cova Hong Kong

The lunch started off with some traditional and classic Italian antipasti from buffet table. Pretty standard stuff, and I particularly liked the cold squid and mozzarella cheese. However the buffet line was quite sad looking, with many of the platters of food nearing empty. Since it was lunch time, one would expect the buffet counter to be filled promptly, no?

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The One With Kronenbourg 1664 – Where To Get It On The Tap (Draught) In Hong Kong

Kronenbourg 1664

I have been on a quest recently, to find restaurants and bar serving Kronenbourg 1664 on the tap. I had always fancied Kronenbourg 1664, especially the blanc variety. To my delight, I started to see more and more places serving draught 1664 beer, which is really the only way to enjoy this French brew.

So for the convenience of (Kronenbourg 1664) beer enthusiasts out there, here’s a list of places serving them ice cold, on the tap. This list will be updated as and when I find more places.

Pavilion At Crown Plaza Hotel (my review)
8 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
+852 3980 3300

SML at Times Square (my review)
11th Floor, Times Square, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
+852 2577 3444

Beeger Hong Kong
Shop 1, G/F, Supernova Stand, 28 Mercury Street, Tin Hau
+852 2352 3508

Fringe Club Rooftop
2 Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong
+852 2521 7251

Wildfire at East Soho
45 Tai Hong Street, Soho East, Lei King Wan, Sai Wan Ho
+852 2261 2999

Staunton’s
G/F, 10 – 12 Staunton Street, Soho, Central
Tel : +852 2973 6611

Pastis Pastis
G/F, 65 Wyndham Street, Central
Tel : +852 2537 5702

SEVVA Bar & Cuisine
Prince’s Building 25th Floor, 10 Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong
Tel : +852 2537 1388

Amazonia
Corner Jaffe and Luard Roads, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Tel : +852 31058990

Delaney’s
G/F & 1/F, One capital Place – 18 Luard Road, Wanchai
Tel : +852 2804 2880

The One With Lunar New Year Market – Flower Galore In Hong Kong

It’s my sixth year living in Hong Kong, however it my first time going to the Lunar New Year market at Victoria Park, more commonly known as the “flower market”. I was planning to do a little CNY shopping and so was not at all prepared for the onslaught of humanity all desperate for flowers and festive goods.

Hong Kong Lunar New Year Market

Did the entire Hong Kong descend to the park that night? It was hordes of people trawling up and down several one-way lanes, often at snail pace. Budding young entrepreneurs from schools and universities competed with seasoned businessmen for festive dollars eager to be spent.

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The One With Ten Unusual (And Delicious) Hong Kong Hotpot Ingredients

Whenever my Singapore friends come to visit, a Hong Kong hotpot is never far from their list of things to do. I have to say, before I moved to Hong Kong, my knowledge about what makes a good hotpot dinner was woefully inadequate. And then I went to say that New Star Hotpot is the best place to have hotpot in Hong Kong.

Oh, the atrocity!

I have misled you, my dear readers. But since then, I have been to many, many more hotpot places and if you are to ask me now where to get a good Hong Kong hotpot, I can tick them off with my fingers.

But the point of this blog post isn’t as much to tell you where to find good Hong Kong hotpot (there are simply too many of them). I would like to share with you some of the most unusual ingredients I have came across that were used in hotpots here. This is, of course, relative. If you come from a city like Taipei with a strong hotpot culture, this list shouldn’t come as a surprise to you. Yet if you are a Westerner visiting Hong Kong, then let’s just say what I am about to tell you can be quite an acquired taste.

#1 Geoduck

10 Unusual Hong Kong Hotpot Ingredients

That’s quite a strange name for a shellfish. Geoduck is a species of very large, edible, saltwater clam originated from North America. It’s can taste rubbery and chewy, yet surprisingly exotic especially when dipped in the Hong Kong hotpot sauces.

(Photo Credit)

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The One With Chinese New Year – And The Week That Went Awry

Hello there! Did you miss me? I have made a new year resolution that I will blog every day this year (let’s see how that might pan out), but I missed last week after a long blog post on Singapore Mega Sale. Truth to be told, I was being put off by the long weekend that was Chinese New Year, and then a sudden bout of food poisoning (it’s a long story), and so my blogging resolution took a hit for about a week.

But hey, I am now I am back!

Let’s talk about the Chinese New Year. It occurred to me that this year, I didn’t do or have many things often associated with the celebration. No CNY cookies. No lou hei. No poon choi. I had a good few gatherings with friends, but apart from the visit to the flower market (which is another story in itself), the past long weekend didn’t feel very CNY-y.

And on the second day of CNY, I craved for… McDonald’s pancakes. Maybe I’m really not a CNY person.

McDonald's Hotcakes

And then there was my CNY gathering at home with my better half’s friends. Now that was quite a riot!

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The One With The Mega Singapore Sale – Brought To You By Megafash & Shopventure

For those of you who love to do online shopping (in bed, while still in your PJ), I have got some good news for you! The Mega Singapore Sales is now on from Feb 21 to 28. Over 100 brands are available on the site. Even for the non-shopaholic me, I was amazed by the array of some of the stuff available! Here are some of my choices:

Megafash - Hilivre

Hilivre

Hilivre book store offers a selection of quirky design oriented notebooks, planners and other stationery! We spent a whole lot of time on our desk, whether it be studying or working. Why not make the desk cozy then? Hilivre seeks to offer creative and quirky paper products and items that brings energy and vibrancy, so everyonecan have a great experience getting your work and study done.

Shop for on Hilivre Mega Singapore Sale >>>

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The One With Linguini Fini – Possibly The Best Place For Pasta in SOHO

I wrote a while back about the new location for Linguini Fini, with its herb garden, eco-friendly business practices and wine honor system. The whole concept was pretty inviting, and so I found myself being at the new restaurant to try out some of the old favorites and new offerings on the menu.

Young Masters Ale

The dinner started off to an unexpected surprise. Just when you thought you have tried everything, come along a new beer to surprise you. The Young Master Ale is a local brew originally from Ap Lei Chau. The classic ale is light and hoppy, perfect for those who like their beer less heavy.

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The One With Chinese New Year – Year Of The Sheep!

Or is it ram? Or goat? You know, it’s really hard to get it right.

This year is actually my year. As in, I am of the Chinese zodiac sign of sheep. Which means, I was born three zodiac cycles ago. No prize for guessing how old I am this year!

Apparently, my luck is not very good this year, be it with money, health, relationship etc. I seldom pay heed to such beliefs, but my family does. I was repeatedly reminded to go to a local temple to perform a ceremony to “turn my luck” for the year.

I guess that would make this year’s CNY celebration a little different, instead of usual eating in and partying out. Regardless, I could really use the break.

Here’s wishing all my blog readers a very Gong Xi Fa Cai! Here’s my favorite self-pic for CNY by far.

Razlan for CNY

(Yes, I used to wear specs. Kinda miss how I looked two years ago)

The One With Dan Ryan’s – Great American Diner Experience At Festival Walk

So one day I found myself to be at Festival Walk for a work lunch, the restaurant of choice was Dan Ryan’s. I have only been to Dan Ryan’s once – and that was at Pacific Place for a drink – so I didn’t really know what’s in store for me.

Dan Ryan's

I do like the ambiance at Dan Ryan’s. The whole upscale, American diner yet laid back experience was something that I could sink into, with its cozy counter seats and warm lighting.

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