Thursday, November 4, 2010

Award winning noodles in Causeway Bay

Small shop front - 60 year history
When I first noticed this small noodle and congee shop, it was because there were 30 people lining up outside of it ... at 9pm at night!  I wondered why this place was packed, even for dinner, so one day at their 11 am opening time, I was able to sneak in for a quick meal. Ahhh, the broth, it was sooooo good!

Wonton Noodle Soup - $28

This simple little restaurant with 9 booths, 3 tables and seats only 44 people is a little Mom-and-Pop affair.  Their menu consists mainly of noodle soups, Lo Mein (dry noodle dishes with various meats), congee, Singaporean noodles, sticky rice and fried wantons (wontons).    Priced fairly high for local fare, you can tell it's a higher income class of clientele than the regular office workers who regularly frequent noodle and congee shops.  They don't need to advertise for business, their customers are usually regulars and they have won several awards.  You may be asked to share a table when you enter because of the limited seating. Don't worry, everyone gets their own 'docket' with your order.  When you finish, just bring the 'docket' to the cashier at the entrance and she will tell you the price of your meal.

Simple Chinese menu
As the menu is only in Chinese, ordering is going to be a little difficult but trust me that the Wanton Noodle Soup (Won Ton Mien), Fried Flat Noodle with Beef (Gone Chow Au Hall), and the Singapore Fried Vermicelli with Curry Powder (Sing Chow Mai Fun) from pages 87, 88,  89 of my Dim Sum: A Survival Guide book are very good choices in this establishment.  The wontons are a little peppery, the noodles are al-dente!  The 'Ho Fun'  - flat noodles, were a little on the greasy side but they needed to be otherwise, they would all stick together.  There was a generous portion of beef filet, so tender and delicious.  This restaurant charges more because they use better ingredients.

Fried Flat Noodles with Beef - $58
There is a small jar of pickled Japanese radish and carrots at each table and there is no service charge. If you wish to leave a tip, there is a small money box at the cashier's desk for you to deposit your gratitude. Lunch came to under $100 for two.

Free pickles
Ho Hung Kee Congee & Noodle Wantun Shop
2 Sharp Street East
Causeway Bay
Hours: 11:00 - 23:30
(Located on the block between Times Square and G.O.D.)

P.S. Ho Hung Kee just awarded one Michelin star in the 2011 edition.  

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