Above Photo Credit: John Seb Barber
You’re at work, and you have three choices: enter the wistful wastelands of Sad Desk Lunches; become one of those super-organised iLunch drones who make batches of food at the beginning of a week, replete with sandwich bags labeled for each day of the week; or pop out for a bite because you’re a touch too lazy/tired to bring anything half decent with you in the mornings. Hong Kong restaurants are overly exciting, and are pumping out some killer lunchtime deals, with many of them newly opening at lunch to entice us with their wafting scents. Even if ordinarily you wouldn’t eat out during the week, they are offering plenty of incentive to brighten up your noon hour with wildly popular specials. We’ve got 18 of the Best Lunch Deals in Hong Kong (new ones) here for you:
There is a convincing argument that Sichuan is one of the best cuisines of this world, and lunchtime might be an ideal time to spread those spicy wings. Their set lunch is a sensible $148, and allows one appetiser, one main, and one dessert plus rice/bun. For $25 you are invited to add a glass of watermelon juice! The options range from homemade crispy eel, pea starch noodles in chilli sauce, sizzling Ganguo chicken, sautéed angus beef with Sichuan chilli and mapo tofu.
7/F, M88, 2 Wellington Street, Central; 中環威靈頓街2號M88 7樓 // Mon-Sun: 11:30-00:00 // 2521 6699
EDIT: Now called La Rambla - by Catalunya
Dominating the Catalan cuisine scene in Hong Kong, Catalunya has recently opened up for lunch and has an executive special for $298 that generously provides a soup, tapa, main and dessert. Some delightful tapas have made the cut, like the deep fried sole with saffron “All i Oli” and the spicy garlic tiger prawns. Mains are the likes of lamb rack with green peas and confit potato, or short rib with mash and blue cheese fritters. They haven’t neglected favourites like the ham, cheese and truffle bikini or any of the Ibericos, that can be ordered additionally. A theatrical paella is also available at lunch that you can’t order in the eve; so if paella is your jam, make sure you get here in the daytime and you bring A LOT of friends. The paella pan is enormous.
G/F, Guardian House, 32 Oi Kwan Road, Wan Chai; 灣仔愛群道32號愛群商業大廈地下 // Mon-Fri: 12:00-2:30 18:00-22:30; Sat – Sun: 12:00-16:00; 18:00-23:00 // 2866 7900
Blue Butcher in their ever-urban coolness have brought in a set lunch menu that will tempt the culinary mavens of the surrounding 'burbs. Choose from the likes of yellow fin tuna with shaved radish, avocado and jalapeño vinaigrette as a starter, and process to teeth-sinkable mains like 10oz dry aged sirloin, a Wagyu beef burger or a roast barramundi filet. Sea salt ice cream or mango passion fruit sorbet can provide a sweet finish for the three course banquet, that will set you back a very erasable $180 and includes unlimited fries (add $30 for the dessert!)!
108 Hollywood Road, SOHO, Sheung Wan; 上環蘇豪荷李活道108號 // Mon-Sun: 12:00-00:00 // 2613 9286
Lunch is now served at SOHOFAMA, the newest farm-to-table instalment at PMQ who are all about MSG-free comfort Chinese food. They use as many local and organically grown vegetables as possible, and have big plans to have a fully functioning urban farm on the premises. Diners can chose one appetiser and main to go with a daily soup and stir-fried organic seasonal vegetable dish as part of a lunch set for $128.
Shop G09-G14, G/F, Block A, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central; 中環鴨巴甸街35號PMQ A座地下G09-G14號 // 2858 8238 // Mon-Sun: 12:00-23:00
5. Le Port Parfumé:
Edit: Le Port Parfume has since closed :(
Serving the freshest wild-caught seafood sourced directly from local fishermen who harvest bounty of the sea from the cool depths of the waters around Hong Kong, this French bistro does "bistro" as it is supposed to be done; using that which is available provincially and a semi-open restaurant that engages those who walk past. If a set deal is simply too much extravagance, there is an a la carte menu on offer here that is constantly changing. One week clams might have come in, fresh off the boat, and they are thus utilised. The rolling week a local white fish with unexplainably tender flesh might be the catch of the day, and so on the grill she goes! It is a fun and sustainable way to eat out. They also have some standard fixtures, our favourites being smoked eggplant caviar, mesclun salad, tomato confit & lettuce ($100), lamb spare ribs, pea & garlic confit ($200) and prawns 'a la plancha' with whisky chilli salsa ($200). Don't even get us STARTED on the madeleines that come fresh from the oven when you order them. Enough said.
Shop C, 6-10 Kau U Fong, Central; 中環九如坊6-10號C舖 // Mon-Sun: 12:00-15:00; 18:00-22:00 // 2824 3018
Social place is a buzzy new dim sum joint at L Place, which was formerly The Salted Pig. It's got some cool, stylistic touches, and although a little pricier than other eateries of similar fare, it stays true to the name and tends to be a bit of a place to be a social with. You can even eat at a ping pong table that has been converted into a table table. They offer one 'social platter' (or to quote verbatim, 'social plater', but who's counting t's?), which includes spiced ginger pork knuckle or choice of three other chicken dishes, plus any two appetisers like the peppered eggplant, spicy bean curd, or spicy duck and rice noodles salad for $98.
2/F, The L. Place, No.139 Queen’s Road Central (next to The Center), Central; 中環皇后大道中139號The L Place 2樓 (近中環中心)// Mon-Sun: 11:30-15:00; 18:00-22:00 // 3568 9666
If you don’t know about Mrs. Pound yet, it may be because you are unaccustomed to poking around stamp stores in the whimsical hope that there is a hidden pan-asian eatery guarded behind its panels. The exclusive speakeasy avails itself with the push of a secret button (hidden within the massive showcase of stamps), the classic Chinese shop façade slides aside to expose a psychedelic interior filled with retro memorabilia of a Hong Kong long past. Mr Ming does a classic lunch set that includes a soft drink or tea. For around the $100 mark, choose between Bak Kuh Teh, a hearty stew with tender pork ribs, tofu and served with steamed rice, a rainbow kale salad with almonds and a ginger peanut dressing, Hainan chicken, lemongrass pork chop, or a slow cooked beef Rendang.
Mrs. Pound, 6 Pound Lane, Sheung Wan // 12:00 – 14:30 // 3426 3949
Fofo have had a revamp, which adds to the experience of eating fine Spanish fare whist on the 20th floor for $288. All factors make for a confluence of lunchtime engrossment that is certainly above average. The lunch menu consists of two tapas and one main, offering the likes of classic 'braves' fried potatoes or tuna ceviche in Nikkei style to start, and linguini with clams, cherry tomatoes, green chilli and coriander, or lberico pork secret, vegetable ragout, pardon peppers, capers and jalapeño salad as a main. Coffee and tea is also included!
20/F, M88, 2-8 Wellington Street, Central; 中環威靈頓街2-8號M88 20樓 // Monday – Saturday: 12:00-14:30; 18:30-22:30 // 2900 2009
9. Isono:
EDIT: Isono has since closed :(
Isono has a whole host of set lunch menu options to choose from, depending on how hungry you are; the lowest of which for $230 (suggested for one person) includes one main + one side or dessert and coffee/tea. The most expensive for $1370 (suggested for 6-7 persons) includes 4 starters + 4 main courses + 5 side dishes or desserts and coffee/tea! Bring the family, is what this tells us. The starters are lush with choices like sautéed mussels with white wine and basil and beef tartare with organic egg and truffle mayonnaise, and mains such as roasted U.S. prime sirloin with homemade BBQ sauce, or shredded pasta baked with duck ragout and pecorino.
Shop H601-H608, 6 /F, Hollywood, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central; 中環鴨巴甸街35號元創方Hollywood 6樓H601-H608號舖 // Mon-Sun: 12:00-00:00 // 2156 0688 or 2156 1828
There is no reason why we shouldn’t enjoy panoramic views all day long. Wooloomooloo Prime's views are ever so classy, and daily from 11:45am to 3pm, they run a 3-course executive set lunch that ranges from $188 to $258. The great thing is the menu changes weekly to showcase their chefs’ talents, which means if you make this a work-week tradition, you’ll be treated to variety every time.
27&28/F, Soundwill Plaza II – Midtown, 1 Tang Lung Street Causeway Bay & 21/F, The ONE, 100 Nathan Road Tsim Sha Tsui // Mon-Sun: 12:00-14:30, 18:00-23:00 // 2870 0087
11. Kushiyaki Beco:
Edit: Permanently closed :(
The lovely little world of Kushiyaki Beco will transport you straight to the local drinking dens in any Japanese city. The Izakaya hosts diners for a steal of a set menu, coming in at $78 – $108 for any of the mains and includes tea, salad and soup! When you choose a main you have the likes of the yakitori set, grilled salmon, or onsen egg with minced beef and rice waving about to get your attention. Try the yakitori set. It is a varied and wonderfully tasty choice for lunch.
2 Shin Hing Street, Sheung Wan; 上環善慶街2號 // Mon-Fri: 12:00-14:30; 18:30-22:30 Sat: 18:30-22:30 // 2581 1282
For an ever-so-suave business lunch, choices at Guacho, the hottest new Argentinian steakhouse, range between 2 courses for $230, 3 courses for $270, or 4 courses for $315. If you haven't yet checked it out, the lair of grill extraordinaires and expertly selected South American wine is a very trendy spot, and sure to impress any attendees to persuade to join. Cold starters like sea bass tiraditos with coconut milk, ginger, chilli, coriander and lime tempt, or there's a hot alternative like the portobello mushroom with blue cheese and balsamic reduction. The mains are wowing, along the lines of churrasco de chorizo, which is a 200g sirloin, spiral cut and marinated, served with a tomato salad. We have trouble looking past the salted dulce de leche & hazelnut cheesecake for dessert. **insert ghoul emoticon here**
5th Floor, LHT Tower, 31 Queen’s Road, Central; 皇后大道中31號海通大廈5樓 // Mon-Sun: 12:00 - 15:00 18:00 - 23:00 // 2386 8090
The Chacha lunch menu is seriously one of our favourites, reflecting all that Chachawan is; down to earth but superbly flavourful, with authentic ingredients and bold flavours. For just $128 an individual can choose any two dishes from main or sweet, and gets to sip happily on a tea or iced coffee (which we maintain they must lace with some sort of addictive substance; we tend to find the straw a barrier to entry, and neglect it promptly so as to enjoy, uninterrupted, Thai coffee ecstasy). The best dishes; definitely the yum makur yaw, a salad of smoky grilled eggplant, shallots, coriander and mint with a soft boiled egg. Also worthy of a regal mention are the crisp omelette of pork and spring onions with sriracha sauce, and the ‘larp bet’, a mixed salad of chopped duck meat, shallots, spring onions, mint and a spicy, sour dressing.
G/F, 206 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan; 上環荷里活道206號地舖 // Mon-Sun: 12:00-15:00, 17:30-00:00 // 2549 0020
Lunchtime at La Vache! is one sweet deal; $258 for baguette, signature salad, steak, unlimited fries and ice cream profiteroles. The fries are addictive, unlimited, and cooked in the beef fat of the steak, which makes them some of the best fries we have ever eaten. The main event, rib eye, is grilled to perfection and placed on the centre of the table atop a platter with little tea candles burning beneath to keep the fillets warm, and the choux puffs in the profiteroles are perfectly crisp (we’re talking Great British Bake Off crisp), and filled with a vanilla ice-cream then generously lavished with a warm chocolate sauce.
G/F, 48 Peel Street, Central; 中環卑利街48號地下 // 2880 0248 // Mon-Thu: 12:00-14:30; 18:00-23:00 Fri-Sat: 12:00-14:30; 18:00-00:00
An overly palatable Chinese restaurant in Central, their specialty is Jingchuanhu cuisine, that depending on which main dish you choose, will be presented in the form of three cold dishes, a main, rice or noodle and a dessert that varies depending on which day of the week it is. Progressively, menu items begin with the likes of a smoked egg, black mushroom and bamboo shoots, marinated jellyfish with scallion sauce or spicy eggplants, to a choice between stir-fried shrimp with cashews with red pepper, fried chicken and walnut with ground bean sauce, Dongpo pork, or braised sea cucumber with eggplant.
1/F, Jade Centre, 98 Wellington Street, Central; 中環威靈頓街98號翡翠中心一樓 // Mon-Sun: 11:30-00:00 // 2652 6600
Sepa offers a few acts in their delicious lunchtime play, that range between $168 and $198depending on the ‘third act’ you choose. The opening scene plays to the tune of croquettes filled with ricotta and olive, or salted codfish on crispy polenta. In the second act you’ll be entertained by focaccia with mozzarella, and a classic cherry tomato/basil team, or smoked scamorza (one of our favourite cheeses) and raddicio. The build up climaxes at Sepa with black cuttlefish ink, eggplant parmigiana, or risotto with green peas and oregano a few of the many options. The dramatic conclusion is found in the epilogue, with tiramisu or pannacotta. Lunch and show.
61 Caine Road, Mid-Levels; 半山半山堅道61號 // Mon-Sun: 12:00-late // 2521 9800
17. Regal Alto 88:
If you are feeling a bit posh, then a swift elevation to the 31st floor of the Regal in Causeway Bay would be just the ticket. They have recently redone the menu and are hosting two-Michelin starred Italian Chef Mauro until the 14th. The four-course lunch set includes duo of mozzarella home-made gnocchi with parmesan fondue and white truffle shaving. As for the main dish, diners will be able to choose from either cod in porchetta style or pigeon with anchovies from Cantabrian, radish and spring onion. English trifle is served to end the lunch perfectly. The four-course lunch set is available at $888 per guest while an extra $188 for wine pairing.
31/F, Regal Hongkong Hotel, 88 Yee Wo Street, Causeway Bay; 銅鑼灣怡和街88號富豪香港酒店31樓 // Mon-Sun: 12:00-15:00; 18:00-23:00 // 2837 1799
New kids on the block, and the block being Jervois St, this funky little restaurant blends tradition and innovation and specializes in Asian noodles. The range includes, but is not limited to, the Taipei: Shanghainesenoodles topped with a 5-spice confit of pork in a Taiwanese sauce ($68); Gurney yellow Hokkien noodles served in a rich pork and prawn broth topped with spicy sambal pulled pork and poached tiger prawns, garnished with homemade sambal ($88) or our personal favourite (and one for the vegans!), Kansai: thick udon in a mushroom-soy dashi, topped with sautéed mushrooms and tofu hambaagu ($68).
G/F, 84 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan; 上環蘇杭街84號地下 // Mon-Sat: 11:30-21:30 // 2415 2555
