Where to eat in Hong Kong this October

David Ho gives you the latest dining recommendations in Hong Kong for the month of October

Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong

Mandarin Grill + Bar and The Krug Room welcome Chef Yim Jun-Sik for an exclusive three-day culinary event from October 3 to 5. Chef Yim is from the two-Michelin-starred Jungsik restaurants in both New York and Seoul, which has earned a place on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list for three consecutive years.

The event begins on Thursday, 3 October, with an exclusive dinner at The Krug Room, the only one of its kind outside of France. This intimate setting offers a truly unique experience, featuring four glasses of Krug Champagne, including two glasses of Grande Cuvée 172eme, Rosé, and Vintage, perfectly paired with Chef Yim’s exquisite Korean dishes. On October 4, both lunch and dinner will be available. Each seating at the Krug Room is priced at HK$3,988*per person and is limited to just 12 guests.

On October 5, the culinary journey expands to Mandarin Grill + Bar, where guests can choose between a 6-course or 9-course lunch menu, priced at HK$1,588*per person, or a 6-course or 9-course dinner menu, priced at HKD 1,888*per person, with a maximum of 50 seats available per seating. The menus will feature exquisite dishes such as House-Made Tubu with Pollack Roe and Perilla Oil, Korean-Style Beef Tartar Toast with Truffle Aioli, and Foie Gras Mousse with Sujeonggwa Jelly. Guests will also enjoy Char-Grilled Abalone with Beurre Blanc and Smoked Kimchi, Scallop Gimbab, and Beef Tenderloin with Various Korean Kimchi. The meal will be completed with indulgent courses like Truffle Naengmyeon (Cold Noodle Soup), a Pre-Dessert of Blood Orange with Korean Rice Wine Sorbet, and the Ulleungdo Island Dessert: Pumpkin Panna Cotta with Acer Mono Syrup.

Where: Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Rd Central, Central

Sun Moon Place

Nestled in Ship Street in Wan Chai, the newly opened Sun Moon Place is a Peking restaurant that aims to ignite the vibrant dining culture of 1980s Hong Kong. Occupying 3,500 sq. ft, the restaurant is run by experts with more than 40 years of experience.  

Heading the menu here are three iconic dishes that exemplify the essence of Peking cuisine. The most celebrated of northern Chinese broths, Hot and Sour Soup (HK$98/small, HK$148/medium, HK$236/large) is freshly prepared to order, and packed with sliced pork stomach, curdled pig’s blood, shrimp, sliced tofu and fungus, its robust flavour warms the soul. Also known as Shandong Roasted Chicken, the Preserved Smoked Chicken (HK$148/half, HK$288/whole) sees a plump Three Yellow chicken weighing about 2 catties (around 1 kg) being first marinated in spices and soy sauce for 3 hours, then steamed to lock in juiciness. Of course, no Beijing cuisine place can be without the classic Barbecued Peking Duck (HK$308/half, HK$468/whole). There are also noodles, dumplings and other meat and vegetable dishes to round up the meal here. 

Where: Shop 1, G/F & 1/F, Pao Yip Building, 1-7 Ship Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong 

Watermark

Waterfront dining destination Watermark has reopened with a revitalised coastal menu. The new menu features abundant jet-fresh seafood sourced from the world’s premier maritime regions, as well as a delightful selection of dry aged beef. The impressive Seafood Platter (HK$998/HK$588) is a highlight, a stunning centrepiece laden with premium catches of the day like Boston lobster, freshly shucked oysters, prawns, scallops, squid and clams. Served with a variety of housemade dipping sauces, such as zesty cocktail sauce and apple cucumber mignonette, it ensures an immersive seafood experience. Located at Pier 7, it offers stunning 270-degree views of Victoria Harbour as you tuck into the taste of the ocean. 

Where: Shop L, Level P, Central Pier 7, Star Ferry, Central

Clarence

New lunch spot in Central alert! Situated on the 25th floor of the H Code building, Clarence is offering a new lunch set menu of French cuisine that blends traditional techniques with local Asian flavours. Guests are invited to explore an array of choices that range from two to four courses, each crafted to highlight the season’s freshest ingredients. The menu offers an opportunity to savour beautiful and fresh flavours, from the refreshing simplicity of Melon with Parma Ham, Burrata & Arugula to the richly tender Smoked Lavender Pigeon with Roasted Cherries & Kale Salad. A special to try out here would be the main of Smoked Lavender Pigeon, which shows the significance of pigeon in French cuisine. With 27 Michelin stars throughout his career, Chef Olivier Elzer is setting Clarence up as the gateway for accessible luxury dining. 

Where: 25F, H Code, 45 Pottinger St, Central, Hong Kong

Bamboo Bar

From October 4 to November 15, Bamboo Bar within The Verendah at The Repulse Bay will host guest shits every Friday to help kickstart your fall weekends. 

The five acclaimed guest mixologists are: Jade Lau, brand ambassador of The Kyoto Distillery; Sujita Gurung, from Felix of The Peninsula Hong Kong; Delphine Kong, brand ambassador of Campari Group Hong Kong; Kit Yuen, brand ambassador of Monin; and Gavin Yeung, Co-founder of Kinsman. They will be shaking things up on Fridays with their exclusive cocktail creations inspired by The Repulse Bay’s stunning surroundings and ambience. 

Where: 109 Repulse Bay Rd, Repulse Bay

Also see: Where to eat in Hong Kong this September