Hong Kong with Dada + MUJI to Go

Late last month, my favorite travel companion – Dada, and I flew to Hong Kong. 

We stayed at our favorite hotel in Central, JW Marriott, because it’s just so accessible to our favorite neighborhoods. 

Not that we needed to be anywhere fast. It was the kind of journey where we had no set agenda. 

Call it a babymoon/inspiration seeking/food trip kind of thing where we just let our feet take us where they wanted to go, where we kept our eyes open for new business ideas, and armed with a list of must try restaurants from HK-based friends, let our hungry tummies lead us to the nearest must-try spot. 

Yup, what was certain about this short vacation was that Dada & I wanted to eat well. Not necessarily the fancy “eat well” sort of thing, but we wanted to check out those hole-in-the wall kind of places that locals frequent and love. 

They’re so good, I really ought to share them with you, so here goes: 

Mak’s Noodles 

77 Wellington Street, Central 

 

We already had dinner, but Mak’s Noodles was in the area, and we just had to try their dry noodles sprinkled with prawn roe, and soup of wontons stuffed with saltwater prawns. Small on serving size, but big on taste! Definitely a great place for a late night snack. 

Yardbird 
33-35 Bridges Street, +852 2547 9273

Don’t let their bite size servings of chicken yakitori fool you. Give everything that’s highly rated on their menu a try, and you might just have to roll yourself down the steep climb to Bridges Street to get back to your hotel. You must order their heavenly sweet corn tempura, chicken oysters, Korean fried cauliflower aka KFC, chicken meatball yakitori with egg yolk and finish this off with their chicken and egg rice. If these don’t hit the spot, I don’t know what else will. Warning: we came by on a Monday night and the place was packed. They don’t accept reservations so just go early!

Yardbird's chicken meatball yakitori

Yat Lok 
G/F, 34-38 Stanley Street, Central

If you’re a huge fan of goose, duck or BBQ pork meals, then your goose is cooked at Yat Lok. Dada had roasted goose with noodles for afternoon merienda and he says the goose was perfectly cooked. He’d want to go back and try it with rice next time. The couple in front of us (yes we were seated across complete strangers) had BBQ pork with rice and that looked good too. This is a place that’s definitely worth coming back to.

Dada's roasted goose with noodles

Tai Cheong Bakery 
35 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, +852 2544 3475

Two words: egg tarts. Theirs are said to be the best in Hong Kong.

Tim Ho Wan
Shop 12A, Hong Kong Station, IFC Mall, Level 1, +852 2332 3078

Yes, we have Tim Ho Wan in Manila, but still, HK is the birth place and nothing is more convenient than checking in your suitcase early at the Airport Express in IFC and then killing time waiting in line at Tim Ho Wan. Of course, the food does not disappoint, so what’s not to like?

JW Marriott Room Service 
One Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong

Even room service at our hotel did not disappoint. It was 2 am and our tummies were grumbling (granted that we were eating practically non-stop the entire day) so Dada and I split JW Marriot’s bacon cheeseburger and fries, and it was divine!

Kau Kee
G/F, 21 Gough Street, Mid-Level, Central

Honestly, we didn’t really get to try this place, but we hear their curry noodles and beef brisket noodles are legendary. The line outside tells me there is truth to the legend, so we are definitely coming back to get a taste of their noodles on our next trip.

While disappointing to miss out on Kau Kee, and ten more different restaurants on our list, the upside is, this gives us all the more reason for Dada & I to plan our next adventure! But after I give birth na, heehee. 

Speaking of traveling and planning adventures, I might as well let you in on MUJI's latest campaign, MUJI to Go! 

 

Japanese lifestyle brand MUJI launches MUJI to Go, a campaign that puts the spotlight on MUJI's unique, functional travel items - from hard and soft carry-on cases, to portable bags, compact garment, toiletry and passport cases, neck pillows, notebooks, pens even mobile speakers and a portable washboard!

There’s no need to worry about baggage weight restrictions with these portable and compact travel tools and organizers from MUJI. They’re the perfect travel companions, next to your favorite travel partner of course!

As if these chic and practical items are not enough reason to shop MUJI now, customers get 15% OFF on their total purchase when you buy any Muji luggage and 2 or more selected travel items this month of August!

Perfect to have them ready now, for when you’re feeling spontaneous. With these on hand, you can just always pack up and leave!  

For more on MUJI and MUJI to Go, Like the MUJI Philippines Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/muji.ph

Hong Kong, January 2014: Day 2 at Horizon Plaza in Ap Lei Chau

Vietnam vet meets Mary Kate Olsen

The one thing I love about going to Hong Kong in January is that I get to wear the Fall/Winter clothes I've accumulated during the early years of my married life, when Dada was still a lawyer in Manhattan. They've been unused for close to 3 years now, ever since we moved back to Asia. 

I excitedly packed my old Lanvin boots for this trip. I've had them since 2008, back when I was still pregnant with Berry.

Honeys, let me tell you. Don't scrimp on shoes. I've had these for 5 years now, and they still look great, considering they have survived 2 East Coast fall/winter seasons, and 3 years in storage. I remember searching high & low for them, ever since I saw Mary Kate Olsen wearing a pair back in 2006.

It was love at first sight then. It's still love when I slip into them. Even if I just wear them with Topshop leggings, an Isabel Marant pour H&M linen tee, and a Gap army parka, it makes the whole look I think. Plus, these boots truly are made for walking. 

The whole of Saturday was devoted to outlet shopping, window shopping and eating. The first order of the day was brunch at Tim Ho Wan.

Since we were staying in Admiralty, we decided to go to the Tim Ho Wan in Hong Kong Station, Central. Take note that even if the address on the website says IFC Mall, it is not in IFC Mall per se but at Podium Level 1, at the Airport Express check-in area, close to the elevators.

If you step out the train at Central station, just walk towards Hong Kong Station/Airport Express and Tung Chung. When you take the escalator up to Hong Kong Station, you'll reach the level where the taxi stands are. Walk straight and then take another escalator up to Podium 1. That's where Tim Ho Wan IFC is at.

We got to Tim Ho Wan at about 10:45, and we found ourselves seated in just about 10 minutes, with just 2 groups ahead of us. Shortly after 11, seemingly appearing from nowhere, a throng of about 20 would-be-diners were outside, waiting for a table. I strongly suggest that if you intend to eat at Tim Ho Wan, make sure you get there before 11 am.

That said, the baked BBQ buns were as good as I remembered, and Dada & I enjoyed them a lot.

We had the steamed egg cake, shrimp rice rolls, hakaw and pork& shrimp dumplings too, and while they were plump and filling, I am of the opinion that one goes to Tim Ho Wan to enjoy those delicious pork buns. I am so happy that Tim Ho Wan is finally opening in Megamall so I don't have to wait for the next trip to HK or Singapore just to get my fix.

With happy tummies, we went down the elevator to get a taxi to take us to Horizon Plaza in Ap Lei Chau.

Horizon Plaza at Ap Lei Chau is the outlet mall where shopping legends are made of, consisting of 28 floors of fashion, food, home decor and furniture finds.

This is where Lane Crawford, Joyce, Goods of Desire, Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Jacobs, Armani, Marni and the distributors of Carven, Anya Hindmarch, Repetto, 3.1 Phillip Lim and more bring all their past season stuff to be marked down to sometimes, almost nothing. 

Love Carven? Check out bluebell warehouse on the 19th floor, which also houses past season Anya Hindmarch, Nancy Gonzalez, Blumarine and Moschino

Lane Crawford had stuff down to up to 90% off.

While a lot of the shoes were too wild for my taste, such as these platform Alaias...

...and studded & beribonned Birkenstocks...

Lane Crawford had Swedish Hasbeens in my size and within my taste range. Reasonably priced too at just about HKD1000.

The cream Celine sweater was at extra 20% off and the white Celine jacket was being sold at an extra 30% off the marked down price...

The last time we were in Hong Kong, my friend Naomi was able to buy Isabel Marant pumps at the  IT Outlet.

Unfortunately for me, there were no shoes to be found. They only had a paltry rack of about 10 pieces of Isabel Marant clothing, with a pair of jeans (not in my size) at 70% off.

Joyce had dresses by Mary Katrantzou, Galliano, Margiela, and more plus a vast array of shoes.

Including Rick Owens and Rodarte. Incidentally, just across is Pollux Books, where you can leave the husband and kids while you peruse the designer-filled racks at Joyce.

Rick Owens wedge and calf hair trimmed Rodarte heels

Girls like me who love flats will love J. Journey Outlet - home of marked down Repetto, Cath Kidston & Uggs.

When I was there, they were selling Repettos BBs for HKD1000 to HKD1500.

As well as the Zizi oxfords and Jackson loafers. There was a even a small section of Repetto for little girls. OMG.

MaxMara offered an extra 20% for the purchase of 4 or more items.

YSL had Belle du Jour clutches for only HKD4000

And Tribute pumps for HKD4400, with some at an additional 30% off for certain sizes. If you are sized 37.5 to 39 in YSL, there's a wide selection of colors to choose from!

Moms would love Bumps to Babes,

They had ELC toys at 50% off!

Architect/Interior Designer Kellyn See frequents Horizon Plaza to check out the furniture and home accessories stores and of all the stores here, I cannot wait to go back to explore the home goods stores more! She says I can actually arrange to have my purchases shipped to Manila too!

At a store selling lacquerware:

At Lene Bjerre

Tree at the 28th floor

OVOstudio

Pet lovers would have a field day at Whiskers N Paws, and if you get hungry from going through all 28 floors, there are a host of cafes and pastry shops such as Sift where you can stop by for coffee and a sweet treat to recharge.

Whiskers n Paws, a shop devoted to supplying the needs of your furry friends

Some tips to help you get to Horizon Plaza & navigate all 28 floors if you are short on time:

- Forget about taking the bus or a shuttle. Just cab it. It will cost you anywhere from HKD95-115 if you are coming from Central

- Get a copy of the directory from the front desk at the ground floor so you can easily find the stores you want to see

- Instead of waiting for the elevator at each and every floor, take the elevator all the way up to Tree at the 28th floor and take the stairs going down

- Leave the husband at home or at the hotel. Let him do his own thing, send him off to a computer shop or bookstore while you devote a few hours or half a day at Ap Lei Chau. Remember, SPACE aka the Prada outlet is also just a few minutes away. Impatient husbands/boyfriends are programmed to kill the shopping mojo or at least curb your spending. Haha.

Horizon Plaza
2 Lee Wing Street
Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2554 9089
Hours: 10 am to 7 pm

Singapore Eats: Tim Ho Wan at Plaza Singapura

Tim Ho Wan, the Hong Kong cult dimsum shop, best known as the cheapest Michelin Star restaurant, opened in Singapore early this year.

As my friend Naomi swears by, it still has not lost its luster amongst the locals. People continue to line up patiently for hours just to get a table as they never do reservations.

So while in Singapore last week, I just had to give it a try since Dada & I never had the chance to go last month. Naomi & I arranged to meet at Tim Ho Wan as soon as I left my luggage at my hotel. 

True enough, given that we had a super late lunch at around 1:30 pm, the Plaza Singapura outpost was still packed with nary a free table in sight.

I let Naomi do the ordering, as I have never eaten at Tim Ho Wan in my life, ever. Sad, I know. 

I mean, how could I have missed out on these delicious, golden brown baked buns with BBQ pork? Crispy, crumbly with a sweet meaty filling, I could eat all three in one sitting.

Their steamed egg cake reminds me of puto, but is so much tastier with caramel and egg-y undertones.

The Pork Dumpling with Shrimp was delicious too. Meaty and substantial, Berry would have enjoyed this.

Apart from this, Naomi & I also had Pan Fried Carrot Cake and Prawn Dumplings, which we couldn't stop stuffing into our mouths, that I never had the chance to take a photo. Heehee.

As if that wasn't enough, we also had the Char Siew Rice Roll. Because one can never have too much BBQ Pork you know. Bring it on, in all it's incarnations!

For dessert, we had the Tonic Medlar & Osmanthus Cake, which was cool & refreshing.

While gelatin filled with tiny osmanthus flowers and wolf berries is not exactly the first thing you'd think of for dessert, it was flavorful yet light and delicate, and finished off our delicious meal beautifully.

Tim Ho Wan, you better open in Manila soon!

Tim Ho Wan

68 Orchard Road
#01-29A Plaza Singapura
Singapore 238839
Opening Hours:
10.00am – 10.00pm (Monday – Friday)
09.00am – 10.00pm (Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday)

450 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh
#02-02 ERA Centre Toa Payoh
Singapore 319394
Opening Hours:
10.00am – 9.00p