Hana Sakazuki (Hong Kong)

Before we left Hong Kong, our friends took us to Hana Sakazuki which is very popular fine dining Japanese restaurant on island. Omakase was the order of the day.

The restaurant sources very high quality seafood and that was reflected in our meal. Uni (sea urchin) sushi was excellent. Our favourite was the progression of texture and flavours of toro sashimi. I also liked the choice of rice, udon or soba noodles at the end of the meal. And the super attentive service from the chef and waiting staff made the meal very enjoyable.

Details:
Hana Sakazuki 花盃
2/F, China Tai Ping Tower
8 Sunning Road
Causeway Bay
Hong Kong
http://www.hanasakazuki.com

Ah Yat Harbour View Restaurant (Hong Kong)

My friends treated me to Ah Yat Harbour View restaurant during my visit in Hong Kong. Attracted by the fame from his treatment of dried abalone, we went for a set menu consisting of the reputed abalone as well as other classic Cantonese delicacies.

The Ah Yat abalone has a unique tenderness on the inside accompanied by intense seafood flavours – unrivaled by other kind of seafood dishes. The shark fin soup (environmental issues notwithstanding) and fish maw were also very enjoyable. Coincide with the hairy crab season, we added a crab roe noodle dish which was a great treat.

Details:
Ah Yat Harbour View Restaurant
29th Floor, iSquare
63 Nathan Road
Tsim Sha Tsui
Hong Kong

Café Madang at Maison Hermès Dosan Park (Seoul Korea)

As a fan of Hermes silk, I always like to pay a visit to the boutiques when travelling. Hermes opened its first Asian flagship store with a café in Seoul. So we paid a visit during our stay.

Café Madang is situated at the lower ground of the Hermes boutique, adjacent to a museum with some historic Hermes product (highly recommended for a half hour browse if you are into luxury goods). We ordered a couple of desserts for morning tea. The dishes were beautifully presented, and dining in Hermes cutleries was rather a unique experience.

Details:
Café Madang
Maison Hermès Dosan Park
Dosan Park 630-26
Shinsa-dong Gangnam-gu
135-895 Seoul
http://stores.hermes.com/Asia/South-Korea/Seoul/Hermes-Dosan-Park

Bamboo House (Seoul Korea)

Going to an authentic Korean BBQ was on top of the to-do list in our visit to Seoul. We went all-out and visited Bamboo House, considered a high-end Korean restaurant by many reviews and guides.

The restaurant serves beef of excellent quality. Note that Korean beef is not exported to other countries and its marbling rivals that of Japanese Wagyu. At Bamboo House, the beef is cooked at the grill by the staff in front of you, making the experience more enjoyable. You will pay a premium price, as did many celebrities with their photos on the main wall.

Details:
Bamboo House
658-10 Yeoksam-dong
Gangnam-gu
Seoul, South Korea
http://www.bamboohouse.or.kr/