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Hong Kong has experienced a little autumnal weather of late, and the restaurant scene is springing to life. Along with new hotels and new buildings, big-name chefs such as Vicky Lau and Akira Back have new openings in town. Japanese concepts continue to make their mark in the city, and home-grown concepts are making bold retail moves. Read on to see what new eateries there are to try this November. Chef Vicky Lau of Tate Dining Room and Mora unveils her newest Hong Kong venture, Jija, a modern interpretation of Yunnan cuisine. The menu highlights quality ingredients such as a stir-fried vegetable dish elevated by yancai gao, a salty fermented vegetable paste from the province. The experience is complemented by a custom tea station and a dessert list that fuses Chinese and French traditions. With only 50 seats, this has the setting of an intimate dining place. 15/F, Kimpton Hotel, 11 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui Perched on the higher floors of The Henderson tower, Peridot is Hong Kong’s new sky-high bar, pioneering a combination of terroir-inspired cocktails and fermentation-forward plant-based haute cuisine. Its interior, a futuristic lime-green motif by Studio Paolo Ferrari, features over 20,000 handcrafted lights. The drinks menu explores the “taste of place” in spirits, while dishes such as “Fleshy Fruits Cold Cuts” elevate plant-based dining. 38/F, The Henderson, 2 Murray Road, Central 3. Akira Back Celebrity chef Akira Back makes his Hong Kong debut at The Henderson. The eponymous restaurant introduces Back’s signature Japanese-Korean-American cuisine, featuring dishes like AB Tuna Pizza and 48-hour Wagyu short ribs. Creative cocktails, such as the gochujang michelada, elevate the experience. This opening expands the brand’s global footprint, which already includes locations in cities like Paris, Dubai, Singapore and Seoul. 5/F, The Henderson, 2 Murray Road, Central 4. Mebae Kappou A new kaiseki experience has opened in Tai Po, helmed by three chefs who formerly worked at the now-closed, award-winning Tenku Ryugin in ICC, West Kowloon. This restaurant aims to establish a new entry point to fine dining in the New Territories, with a 10-seat counter dining experience that will showcase set menus for lunch and dinner featuring seasonal ingredients. Diners can look forward to items such as fatty tuna sashimi, eel hand rolls and pigeon with black garlic sauce. Shop 17A, Block C, Greenery Plaza, 3 Chui Yi Street, Tai Po Hong Kong’s legendary nightlife address, formerly home to Quality Goods Club and Drop, has been reimagined as Yume. This new cocktail lounge introduces a Japanese-inspired concept, marking a shift from a late-night haunt to a sophisticated venue. On the cocktail menu, It Was All a Dream conjures tropical vibes, consisting of dark rum, rye whisky, pineapple and coconut. The food menu features options ranging from tuna tartare to Wagyu sliders. Basement, On Lok House, 39-43 Hollywood Road, Central From the team behind Censu and Golden Gip in Central comes Siu Siu, a modern izakaya and a new addition to Sheung Wan’s dining scene. Meaning “a little bit” or evoking a smile in Cantonese, the restaurant specialises in inventive teppan plates and Japanese comfort food with a twist, such as the signature Wagyu cheeseburger spring roll. It also boasts the group’s most extensive selection of premium sakes. The Strand, 49 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan Grab-and-go onigiri (Japanese rice balls) concept Temai has opened its second location in Hong Kong. While popular onigiri favourites such as Wagyu beef and soy-cured egg are on the menu, there are also artisanal sandwiches and salads for hungry lunch crowds in Central. Shop 239B, 2/F, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central The team behind the popular Middle Eastern eatery Francis has a new venture serving Mediterranean fare: Carmela. Look forward to items like Murray cod with pepperonata and bottarga crumb, as well as lamb shoulder with eggplant cream and pistachio salsa verde. Signature cocktails include Thyme After Thyme, as well as a comprehensive wine list with bottle, carafe and by-the-glass options. Shop G06, Nan Fung Place, 173 Des Voeux Road Central, Central 9. Twist Pasta Bar From the team behind Australian gastrobar Bourkes comes a pasta bar with Asian influences. One such dish is the bone marrow macaroni in curry Wagyu brisket ragu, and the squid ink spaghetti with prawn, orange, zucchini and dried shrimp roe. A nine-item drinks menu provides creative cocktails without the fuss, such as a fig leaf spritz and a rhubarb negroni. 17 Bridges Street, Central A bakery has opened in Tai Koo that mixes Italian passion, French technique and Hong Kong influences. The signature to try is the Tigres pastry, which is a French almond cake folded with chocolate, giving it stripes that resemble a tiger. Pineapple buns and egg tarts are also on the menu, which can be washed down with Hong Kong classics such as milk tea or iced lemon tea. 33 Tong Chong Street, Quarry Bay 11. Grandma’s Scones Local scones specialist Grandma’s Scones has been expanding from a catering business into retail. Its latest opening in Wan Chai has been setting social media ablaze with its cute premises fashioned as a tiny, roofed house. Choose from classic blueberry scones, matcha and black sugar mochi, and sea salt with caramel and chocolate. 170 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai 12. Soul-Ju Popular pasta joint Sofi Pasta has opened a new Korean concept in Sheung Wan. As the name suggests, Soul-Ju offers no-fuss Korean comfort food, including Korean pancakes, boiled pork belly and kimchi fried rice with pork belly and cheese. Shop B, 6 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan 13. Hakata Yari Udon Fukuoka’s famous udon specialist has opened its first outpost in Hong Kong. All ingredients are flown in from Japan to guarantee diners an authentic experience. Apart from chewy noodles in superior dashi, the signature item is the 32cm (13-inch) burdock tempura served with every bowl. Other soup bases include white curry and mentaiko. Shop 228, 2/F, Phase 1, Mira Place, 9 Kimberley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui 14. Kaiyuzen Newly opened Kaiyuzen offers an affordable Japanese izakaya experience in Taikoo Shing. Specialising in daily fresh sashimi and artisan sushi, it features more than 40 sushi varieties and an array of customisable grilled skewers. Diners can also enjoy a chef-led omakase course. Signature items include the Hokkaido scallop sushi trio and skewers like shrimp with chicken skin and perilla leaf. Shop G1018, Kam Sing Mansion, 3 Tai Fung Avenue, Taikoo Shing 15. Noma Ryouri Noma Ryouri has opened in Taikoo Shing, giving a new option of healthy Japanese homestyle cuisine to the area. The menu features multi-course lunch and dinner sets, highlighting wholesome creations like stewed ox tongue with Kyoho grape and red wine sauce. Shop G1019, Kam Sing Mansion, 3 Tai Fung Avenue, Taikoo Shing
