Hong Kong Series: Hokkaido Dairy Farm Milk Restaurant (北海道牧場餐廳)

The husband had several bad coffee experiences in Hong Kong. We’re not talking about bad local-style coffee, which is made stove top with evaporated milk added, but espresso coffee – and by “bad” I don’t mean that it was burnt, but rather that it was thin, watery and weak. Apparently milk sourced locally is lacking in creaminess and is often the reason for lacklustre coffee. So in the vein of “cha chaan teng” (Hong Kong-style cafés), Hokkaido Dairy Farm Milk Restuarant is one which uses eggs and 3.6% fat milk sourced only from Hokkaido. Both are known for their rich flavours plus the milk for its creaminess.

There are several branches of Hokkaido Dairy Farm and whilst we plan to visit the original in Causeway Bay, I spot the one in neighbouring Wan Chai from the tram. Out we hop, and lucky we did as we’re told the kitchen is closing in 5 minutes but we’re welcome to stay until the restaurant closes at 10pm. We order quickly and receive our “Supreme macaroni in soup” minutes later. It’s a meat-lover’s fest of luncheon meat, ham, char siu and a sausage then topped by a sunny-side-up Hokkaido egg. Elbow macaroni sits in a cloudy broth underneath which is surprisingly light and clean. With the yolk popped and mixed into the soup, the husband drinks most of this.

The “3 inch scrambled eggs with Hokkaido milk sandwich” has my name all over it. Scrambled eggs on untoasted white bread was the comfort food of my childhood and, for some reason, I remember Mum making it typically on rainy days. It has nostalgia stamped across it and one bite of the crust-less spongy sandwich transports me back to when my feet used to dangle from our dining chairs. The eggs are rich and creamy without being overly rich.

We’ve also ordered an iced coffee (unpictured) which we fail to finish by closing time, but this is kindly transferred to a takeaway cup for us. The velvety smooth drink is strong in coffee flavour but lighter than its usual evaporated milk cousin, with the Hokkaido produce really living up to its reputation.

Hokkaido Dairy Farm Milk Restaurant (北海道牧場餐廳)

At four locations, all on Hong Kong island:

            Shops D2-D3, UG/F, Far East Finance Centre, 16 Harcourt Rd, Admiralty

Shop B, G/F, Capital Building, 6-10 Sun Wui Rd, Causeway Bay

8/F, The Loop, 33 Wellington St, Central

            Shops A& B, G/F, 211 Johnston Rd, Wan Chai

happy eating!

Hong Kong Series: Congee, noodles & rice

There are many eateries in Hong Kong which sell a combination menu of “jook, fun, meen, faan” (粥粉麵飯) – congee, (rice-based) noodles, (wheat-based) noodles and rice. The origins of these were originally, of course, on the street – first by trolley vendors, then “dai pai dong” (大牌檔) street-side stalls and now either in temporary markets or permanent shop spaces.

Congee, steamed plain rice noodle rolls, stir-fried noodles and deep-fried dough sticks

Hong Kong Series: Street eats & snacks

It is simultaneously difficult and easy to explain my strong feelings towards Hong Kong. In one of the most touristy cities in the world, known for its food, shopping and night life... of food and more shopping, I don't actually play the tourist. I have family here and, having lived here between the ages of 10 and 14, trips to Hong Kong always feel more like a return trip home rather than a holiday to explore somewhere. I didn't grow up in Hong Kong, but I grew into myself there. Each trip is laden with nostalgia and memories of people, places and, of course, food.

Trolley street vendor