Sounds like good advice. Sure if you can find the details about the curry place and if it was worth eating then that could be interesting... although with two young kids we may opt for take out too :-)

Thanks for the tip. Judging by the lack of responses it doesn't seem there are too many great options in Hua Hin :-(

A deservedly popular and our favourite place is Fernando's on Hac Sa beach. Very rustic so don't expect fine dining but the food is fantastic. Recommended dishes are clams of the house, chorizo, suckling pig, piri piri / grilled chicken and the green salad. We usually order the same dishes every time and are always delighted.

It's a bit o f a drive from town (20 mins) but all the taxi drivers know the place as it is an institution.

Enjoy!

Rick

Hi all,

Heading to Hua Hin in a few weeks with the family (wife and two young kids). Everything I've read so far seems to suggest that there are not a lot of great 'authentic' dining options in Hua Hin? I'm hoping that has changed over time and that there will be some places to get real Thai food hopefully specific to the region and some specialities. Anyone have any advice or personal tips on where to go? We're quite adventurous travellers and eaters although now we have two kids (aged 1 and 3) we obviously cannot climb down a mountain to get to a beach side restaurant anymore :-)

Thanks in advance,
Rick

Hi,

We're heading to Penang for a long weekend break next month and just starting to research places to check out to eat. In past years we have done a lot of the streetside and market type hawker places and love to eat at these places. This time around though we have a 3 year old and a 6 month old so from a practical point of view we are probably looking for more family/children friendly places to eat at. We'll still visit the street vendors but probably choose to pick up takeaways to eat back in our hotel.

We're staying at the Hard Rock hotel in Batu Ferrenghi (again due to its family friendliness) but will most likely hire a car to visit sites and restaurants. Probably already on the list :

Hot Wok : Nonya / Dine in
Perut Rumah : Nonya / Dine in
Air Itam assam laksa : Laksa / Takeaway
Bangkok Rd Mee Goreng : Mee Goreng / Takeaway
Balik Pulau : Siam Laksa / Takeaway
Gurney Drive : BBQ Stingray / Takeaway
Lorong Selamat : Char Kway Teow / Takeaway

Any further advice appreciated! Anyone can recommend the best South Indian/banana leaf restaurant? Also Nasi Kandar?

Thanks
Rick

Yes, Kau Kee is worth a trip, forgot about that one...

I guess 'Cheap' is a very relative term so it might be better to give a price bracket... I would say there are the USD 2-4/dish places (very cheap) and the USD 5-8/dish places (cheap-ish)...

I know Yung Kee is a bit of a hot topic right now but I haven't been for a while so probably not the best person to comment... Lunch sets are not really that expensive. I know there are cheaper hole in the walls out there but I'm assuming the original poster is a Westerner so I would say that it may be a little more accessible/less intimidating than walking into a very 'local' place.... English menus and English speaking staff, etc... but just my opinion!

I think the original (or one of the original) Mak's noodles is the one on Wellington Street near the escalator. Again not the cheapest Won Ton Mein but certainly a pretty good example in clean English-speaking/friendly surroundings...

Of the above...

Lin Heung - I also heard about but have never been. I think Anthony Bourdain may have gone there... haven't tried food so can't really comment
Mak's noodles - Yes, very good for the classic 'Won Ton Mein' (Pork and shrimp dumplings) with noodles in a clear broth. A bit more expensive than the other places since Bourdain also went there... but worth a lunch stop if you are in the area
Joy Hing - I think this is the famous place for the Char Siu (BBQ pork), If it is then it's also a good cheap eat

Haven't heard of the others, sorry...

Cheers
Rick

p.s. yes, the soup in crystal jade you refer to is the 'Dan Dan Mein'. Be careful if you order it as they have a couple of very similar named dishes on the menu which are in fact quite different in taste.... if you say Dan Dan Mean they should know what you want!

The pork cheek ramen at Santouka in iSquare is pretty awesome although maybe not quite as good as the version I had at their Japanese branch in Kyoto. It's close though!

Butao King is supposed to be where it's at with regard to ramen in HK these days but I've never been able to arrive before a hundred other were queuing up before me so it still eludes me :-(

http://www.timeout.com.hk/restaurants...

Haven't been but seen a couple of the early reviews and they've been good so far. From what I read it seems similar food to the Crystal Jade chain but with a few fancy dishes thrown in (eg, abalone). You're probably paying for the view so probably not one you'd go to regularly...

A couple of personal suggestions:

1. Yung Kee - Cantonese - For lunch you can try their famous roast goose leg on rice. Some say it's gone a bit downhill but it's still very popular
2. Victoria City - Cantonese/Dim Sum - Great dim sum but also other Canto fare such as very nice siu yuk (roast crispy pork) and char siu (bbq pork). Check if re-opened as it was closed for rennovation last time I went there
3. Dragon-I - Dim Sum. By night this is one of the trendiest nightclubs in HK but during lunch they have a great value dim sum deal of HK$ 150 for as much as you can eat. Re-order any dish you like.
4. SML - European. Order any dish in one of 3 sizes for some very tasty Western food. Owned by same folk who run a few trendy places like the press room, the pawn, etc

Even though you said no chains here are a couple that are cheap and very good!

5. Din Tai Fun - Taiwanese. The best Xiao Long Bao (Steamed mince pork dumplings) this side of Taipei... be prepared to queue but great food at great prices
6. Crystal Jade - Mixed Chinese. Also good XLB but just a touch below the quality of Din Tai Fund. Great Dan Dan Mein (Fresh noodles in spicy peanut based soup).

Google any of the above to check the address!

Cheers
Rick

Don't get me wrong. I didn't take offence at Silverjay's suggestion. I would love to try 'Real' Japanese food. However I have to be practial so with time and language constraints I have to see what is possible... like I said, happy to be proven wrong that I can have real Japanese food with these constraints... Just show me where :-)

and what is real Japanese food? Kaiseki? and would access to Real Japanese food necessitate a Real Japanese language skill? if so, I'm a little scuppered...

I think I may have been to Katsukura before. Is it a chain? If so, is there one in Roppongi Hills? If there is then I have been to it. It was very good but didn't have a 'Wow' factor...

Any thoughts on which is the one to go to? regarding Tonkatsu at least... Having been to Japan a few times before I usually stick to my comfort zone and go to Maisen where I usually have a pretty decent version... however I'm willing to try somewhere different this time.

Let's say no more than 20-30 minutes by subway, ie, Central Tokyo

Hi,

I have 2 dinners, 2 lunches and a breakfast in Tokyo coming up from this Friday. I already sent out a post looking for mid-price options but here are some thoughts so far:

Breakfast: Daiwa Sushi
Lunches: Butagami or Tonki, Izu-Ei or Nodaiwa
Dinners: Birdland, Tsunahachi Rin or Asagi

I'm staying in Shinjuku and would prefer not to travel too far to get to restaurants.

Any thoughts?

Rick

Hi,

I am travelling to Tokyo (2 nights) and Kyoto (5 nights) next week on my own. I am primarily going to photograph the autumn colours but as I am a real foodie I wonder if anyone has suggestions for solo dining. Also I don't particularly want to break the bank so my budget will be up to USD 30 for lunch and maybe USD 50 for dinner. I may have one splurge if I find a suitable place... So what I am looking for are the budget-mid price gems that locals and maybe ex-pats have made popular... I don't speak Japanese so ideally places that have English menus/staff...

The list of foods on my to-try are:

Tonkatsu
Unagi
Sushi
Yakitori
Tempura
Sukiyaki/Shabu-Shabu
Izakaya

Not sure if all of the above are suitable for lone diners (eg, Shabu-Shabu is probably more a communal experience)

Any advice appreciated!

Rick

Good advice... We usually try and ask hotel staff where we are staying where they go to eat but also a good idea to ask taxi guys as you say... The tricky part is getting them to give you the advice you are looking for as sometimes they believe you just want the adjusted flavour for tourists...

Thanks for the heads up. Whereabouts is Kru Suwit? As we are travelling with a 9mth old not sure about the logistics of long tail boat travel..

Thanks for that info. Actually to answer your question, we have travelled around Asia quite a bit and so are reasonably comfortable eating street food. We also have the same 'rules/guidelines' for choosing steet food hawkers (ie, locals eating there, busy turnover, no flies sitting on the food, etc)... Although now we have a 9 month old baby we are probably a little more careful about where we are eating...

From what I've read and been told so far Phuket town does seem to offer the best options for Thai dining but as you mention I'm not sure how convenient it wil be to travel there for dinner in the evenings? We will probably base ourselves out of Kata or Karon beach on the South West side of the island...

A couple of other places I have been reading about are:

Ka Jok See
Siam Indigo
China Inn
Abdul's

These are all in Phuket town.

I'm quite interested to try and find some of the muslim-influenced dishes that should be prevalent in Southern Thailand. Being of Indian origin myself I can never have enough Roti and Curry :-) But I also read about a sort of Thai Biriyani called khao mok gai which the Thai muslims cook which sounds interesting...

Rgds
Rick

Actually the WOM guide which has been published locally in HK for the last few years is pretty good. The only thing which is a bit annoying is that there are too many 'Review coming soon' comments filling up the pages...

Unfortunately I have not been to Caprice so I cannot say which is better. All I know is that each time I have been to Robuchon I have not been let down at all.. which is more than I can say for a few other high end that I have been to (eg, Pierre Gagnaire at the Mandarin). As for Hutong I was suggesting it as a 'special meal' for ambience as well as food... I appreciate that some may consider it for 'non-chinese' or gweilo's but I think it suits a special occasstion probably more than a local Cantonese/noodle place (even though the food may be great for the price)... You get possibly the best restaurant view anywhere in HK and if you book for 8pm you can take in the night laser show from your table... Anyway just my 2 cents !

Rgds
Rick

For a truly amazing although non-oriental meal have dinner at L'Atelier du Robuchon. It's French/Nouveau. You have a choice of either sit down formal restaurant or more fun to sit at the bar of the open kitchen where you can see up close the food being prepared. The menu at the open kitchen is 'Small plates' so you can try many things. Our favourite dishes last time were the 'mini burgers with foie gras', 'veal heal' as well as the best mashed potato ever !

If you want a special Cantonese meal with one of the best views of Hong Kong then you can try Hutong. Fantastic views, great decor/ambience and great food. Try the Soft Shell Crab in Dried Red Chilli and also the Crispy Peking mutton...

Have fun,
Rick

Glad you enjoyed your trip. For Macau there is one restaurant that you have to go to next time, Fernando's. Well known by all the locals and the ex-pats who live on the island. It's at the far south of the lower island so is about a 20 minute taxi ride from the main town. The restaurant is very simple and rustic but excels at wholesome Macanese/Portugese fayre. Standout dishes are Clams a la casa, Suckling pig and the Peri Peri chicken. The house salad is great too ! Hope you can make it there next time.

Rgds
Rick

Hi David, check my other reply to a similar question posted by another member. I put a few recommendations on there.

I've lived here in HK for 3 years. You can get a lot of regional Chinese cuisines here although Cantonese is obviously dominant. There is now a timeout published weekly in HK which actually keeps a running summary of their best 50 picks or so. Also worth picking up when you arrive is the WOM (Word of Mouth) Food Guide. It's an English restaurant guide similar to the timeout, zagat or harden guide but just for HK.

Have fun and do report back !

Rgds
Rick

Hi there,

I have been living in HK for the last 3 years and so can help a little with your trip. There are some good suggestions here already but I'll add my 2 cents (you should be able to google for the full addresses):

i) Din Tai Fung in the Silvercord shopping centre (Kowloon): Although not strictly Cantonese if you have not tried the Xiao Long Bao at Din Tai Fung then you have to try these ! In case you don't know they are steamed minced pork (or pork and crab) dumplings which also contain a little 'soup' inside them. They are eaten with a black vinegar and ginger sauce. The original branch in Taiwan is an institution even mentioned once in the New York Times. Very busy but quick turnaround. Also worth trying there are the beef noodles, deep fried pork chop and the stir fried greens are good.

ii) Yung Kee on Wellington Street (HK island): Very busy HK institution most known for their roast goose. Do try ! Does get it's fair share of tourists but probably just as many if not more locals too. If you dare, try their 1000 year old eggs !

iii) Victoria City Seafood in the Citic Tower, Admiralty (HK island): Best dim sum I have eaten in HK. And one you can actually book. Things to try are the usual dim sum, har gau, siu mai, char siu sow. But don't miss their Char Siu (bbq pork) ! the best in HK !

iv) Lei Garden in IFC or Wanchai (both HK island): Typical Cantonese food. Try the Siu Yuk (Crispy Roasted Pork) although most things good... A few unusual Cantonese dishes on the menu including various animal parts not normally eaten !

v) Crystal Jade La Mian (a few branches all over): Mixed regional cuisine. Very fast and casual dining and cheap. Try the Xiao Long Bao here (not quite as good as DTF above) and also the excellent Dan Dan Mian (Sichuan spicy peanutty soup with freshly made noodles)

vi) Ye Jiang Man on Staunton Street (Soho on HK island): Beijing/Sichuan food. Try the Crispy Peking mutton, the dumplings, jade vegetable...

Anyhow, have fun !

Rgds
Rick

Hi,

I'm heading to Phuket in Thailad in a couple weeks for a 5 day break. I will be with my wife and 9 month old baby. Both my wife and myself love good authentic Thai food (ie, not the Tourist-Friendly version of Green and Red curries, etc)... Can good authentic Thai food be found in Phuket? or is it all toned down and made tourist friendly on this resort island?

I have read that Phuket town offers some of the best options... Bear in mind that we are travelling with a 9 month old baby so hygiene, safety, and location are things to be considered when choosing a place to eat at....

Thanks in advance,
Rick

Great reply penang_rojak ! Another vote for the sisters CKT makes it something we will try and search out. The Edgecumbe pasembor and mee goreng sound great. I haven't tried pasembot before so that will be interesting. You mention Hameed's. I think we went to a Hameed's last time for Murtabak. Is that the same place ? The murtabak was great... I've heard the Bee Hooi coffeshop mentioned somewhere else so will take a look at that. Is that the place that does the good laksa too ?

We had the famous Assam Laksa at Ayer Itam market last time we were in Penang. It as definitely one of the culinary highlights of the trip. Fantastically Spicy and Sour which was much better than any version I've had before. Also the Chendol at the same stall was actually pretty good too ! Do you have any suggestions for the best Chendol in either Penang or Malacca ? I heard there were some good ones in Malacca somewhere...

We also did Swatow Lane hawker centre last time. Looks like they had just refurbished the whole market into a clean covered facility which was nice as we didn't have too worry too much about hygiene issues...

As for the Nonya food we tried Mama's last time... the food was good but nothing amazing on that visit... maybe we will try a different one this time...

Do you have any other recommendations for the other types of laksa available ? or is it best to stick the Assam type in Penang ? I heard there are at least 3 other versions (Katong, Johor, etc)...

Thanks again,
Rick

Thanks KLfoodie. Actually last time we went to Penang we had a fantastic Char Kway Teow. It was from one of the recommended sites on the internet somewhere. I think it may have been on one of the roads you mention above. There actually was a man doing the cooking but he was wearing diving goggles while cooking ! Anyway is was probably the best version of the dish I have tried... I heard of Line Clear but we never had a chance to try it last time. Will try to make it there this time. Also, thanks for the tips for Langkawi. We are in a group which includes a 6 month old baby and a pregnant woman so some of our meals will have to be in nice clean safe surroundings.