Mandoo Dining (Eastwood Sydney)

Early dinners have become the norm on a Sunday due to child care arrangements. So sampling the range of Korean cuisine in the Eastwood area becomes our favourite thing to do late Sunday afternoon.

We went to The Mandoo Dining recently. As the name suggest, the place is all about dumplings and 80% of the menu is about dumplings. The pork dumplings have a nicely soft text with fillings well balanced. If you feel like something soupy then go for the beef soup noodle. The kimchi cold noodle seems to be popular among other guests.

Details:
The Mandoo Dining Eastwood
Shop 216, 62-80 Rowe Street
Eastwood
https://www.facebook.com/themandoodining/

Ning Po (Hong Kong)

On a brief visit to Hong Kong, I had the opportunity to visit the Ning Po clubhouse and attended a family gathering. Situated in a commercial building, membership is required for a reservation at the clubhouse’s restaurant.

The 8 (I lost count after) course meal were all very tasty and provided the essence of traditional Shanghaiese cooking. My favourite was the smoked egg which was wonderfully soft and creamy on the inside with an intense smoky savory flavour. The sweet and sour fish was very subtle, unlike the westernised Chinese sauce. The crispy rice dessert was also a highlight.

Details:

Ning Po 寧波旅港同鄉會

Room 401- 405, Yip Fung Building, 2-18 D'Aguilar Street

Central , Hong Kong

http://www.ningpo.com.hk/member/index.htm

Bo Innovation (Hong Kong)

We decided to take a leisurely lunch the day before the Big Panic (aka wedding reception) while in Hong Kong. I booked ahead for a table at Bo Innovation for a Friday lunch.

The HK$388 was good value and the waiting staff recommends a mix of entrees to be shared yum cha style – great suggestion. Dim sum dishes like prawn dumplings and spring rolls were given an interesting twist with the likes of caviar, pistachio and black truffle. The pigeon in the main course was tender and the shitake mushroom cake was the star.

Details:
Bo Innovation
Shop 13, 2/f,J Residence
60 Johnston Road
Wan Chai, Hong Kong
http://www.boinnovation.com/

Mr Wong (Sydney)

Before going back to full-on mode at work, we had at lunch at Mr Wong with a couple of friends.

There was a large range of dim sum on offer so the meal was an up-scale yum cha at a fascinating venue (do have a tour around the underground level). Quality of food was good but not overwhelming given the price. I had much expectation on the foie gras prawn toast but the foie component seems a bit light. Prawns in the Har Gow was super fresh but maybe over seasoned – probably a way for diners to order more drinks.

Details:
Mr Wong
3 Bridge Lane
Sydney
http://merivale.com.au/mrwong