Struck with a case of the often insatiable wanderlust? Look no further than the outskirts and islands of Hong Kong, where adventurous flavours are never too far out of reach. Swap your sky-high metropolitan dinners for the coastal charm of some of the city’s best destination restaurants, below.
Terracotta Lamma
As is the case with much of Hong Kong’s outlying islands, Lamma Island has long been known for its wealth of local seafood restaurants. But what sets this charming island apart from the rest is a flourishing multicultural community that has given rise to a variety of cafés and restaurants throughout Yung Shue Wan. One of the latest additions to the area’s colourful dining scene is Terracotta Lamma, a seafront restaurant with a thoughtfully curated menu that encapsulates the essence of Mediterranean cuisine.
“The menu at Terracotta Lamma has always wanted to have a more unique and broad approach towards Mediterranean cuisine—food that doesn’t just focus on one region, but celebrates the flavours and ingredients from many,” explains Chef Richard Solnik. “One of the main focuses of the food menu is the charcoal grill mains [which use] an ancient cooking technique to coax maximum flavour from minimal ingredients, focusing on the quality of the protein itself.”
The signature grilled octopus is a gorgeous embodiment of this; smokey and tender, a hefty tentacle is served with confit potatoes atop a glossy bed of thick tomato and fennel broth. The dish is complete with a drizzle of garlic oil and sprigs of dill and tarragon, which carry delicate citrus notes that cut through the slight heat of the broth.
G/F, 47 Yung Shue Wan Main Street, Lamma Island; @terracottalamma
Loaf On
Among Hong Kong’s countless Cantonese seafood restaurants, Loaf On carries the honour of being the only one with a Michelin star. First awarded in 2010 and sustained ever since, restaurant manager Ronnie Tang maintains that this dazzling distinction is not what truly makes the establishment stand out. “What sets us apart from other restaurants is our close relationship with local fishermen; we have the first pick of their daily catches,” he muses.
This dynamic is reflected in Loaf On’s menu, where most of the seafood is offered at a “seasonal price”. Their stir-fried lobster with ginger is a beloved signature, succulent and generous with its flavour. Despite the dish’s grand presentation, its recipe is kept rather simple as a testament to unrivalled quality and taste.
“Most lobster dishes are either sautéed in sauce or baked with cheese, but these methods overpower the natural flavour of the lobster itself,” says Tang. “We keep seasoning at a minimum and focus on the two main ingredients of ginger and lobster. The ginger helps accentuate the natural umami flavour of the lobster.”
49 See Cheung Street, Sai Kung; loafon.com
Ming Kee Seafood Restaurant
Accessible only by a kaito ferry that operates four days a week, Po Toi is Hong Kong’s southernmost island. Home to only a small village of people, this quaint island remains largely untouched, boasting a trio of sun-kissed hiking trails, curious coastal outcrops and idyllic views of the South China Sea. It is the perfect escape for urban city dwellers, and its famous beachfront eatery captures a life far from the expected hustle and bustle of our city.
“In [somewhere] fast-paced like Hong Kong, you rarely find places that are so different from the city,” says Ming Kee Seafood Restaurant manager Tammy Leung. “From the environment, to the food and people, [Ming Kee] has a different vibe compared to most restaurants in the city, as it is more laid back and close to the water and beach.”
Ming Kee was opened by Leung’s parents over 50 years ago, and is still frequented by locals and tourists alike for fresh, quality seafood and classic Cantonese flavours. The catch can be served a multitude of ways—steamed, stir-fried with black pepper sauce, boiled, you name it—but even the most straightforward of dishes like the fried abalone sprinkled with green onion and red bell peppers, achieve balance and textural perfection.
Tai Wan, Po Toi Island; +852 9217 9803 (WhatsApp)
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Alyanna Raissa J. PayosCredit
Lead image: Samantha Sin and Ella Wong for Vogue Hong Kong's August 2024 issue
