Michelin Starred Restaurants in Hong Kong

"In 2008 The Michelin Guide extended its reach into China with a new edition ranking dining destinations in Hong Kong and Macau for the first time. The guide, featured 251 restaurants and hotels in the two Chinese cities, is Michelin's second guide outside Europe and the United States. The debut Tokyo edition was published in Nov. 2007, with eight restaurants receiving Michelin's highest three-star rating.

Michelin awarded 40 stars to 28 restaurants in Hong Kong and Macau, and two venues got the top ranking.

Lung King Heen in Hong Kong's luxurious Four Seasons Hotel received three stars, while the hotel's French eatery Caprice won two stars." Source: Usatoday.com

Now we did manage to get a table at Lung King Heen last December during our annual end-of-year trip to Hong Kong. It was pleasant enough with sweeping views of the Hong Kong famous harbour, refined setting and elegantly presented cuisine. However.... although good, none of the courses stood out for me.

I really believe that there are restaurants in Hong Kong, that can provide better food, but I guess those places won't have the same waterfront and glamourous setting. It reinforces my thinking that the Michelin guide is not only about food but you have to have everything... You have to have the ambiance and service to go with the food.

Some would say that they don't really understand Chinese food.... Perhaps... Sometimes simple things are the best.... I guess no wonton noodle or sweet tofu pudding place is going to make it into the guide... Here are some downright favourites of mine:

• Brunch / lunch at Kowloon City Market food court (top floor)
• Islamic food in Kowloon City
• Tofu pudding in sweet ginger soup and ginger sugar in Kowloon City
• Kiku, B13-16 Basement,The Landmark, Central (Tel 2521 3344)
• Yumcha at Jade Garden Chinese Restaurant, Star Building, Tsim Sha Tsui (or Lei Garden is pretty good I've heard)
• Roast goose in Sham Tseng, New Territories (I think it's better than Yung Kee, Hong Kong) Some say it's because it is closer to the San Miguel brewery that is why the geese tastes better :P
• Live seafood in Sai Kong, you have to try the uni fried rice!

Hong Kong Michelin Guide 2008

Three Stars

• Lung King Heen, Four Seasons, Hong Kong
• Robuchon a Galera, Hotel Lisboa, Macau

Two Stars

• Amber, Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
• Bo Innovation, Hong Kong (heard this one is really good - but you got to like fusion)
• Caprice, Four Seasons, Hong Kong (very romantic place but bring a fat wallet)
• L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, The Landmark, Hong Kong
• Shang Palace, Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong
• Summer Palace, Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong
• T’ang Court, The Langham, Hong Kong
• Tim’s Kitchen, Hotel Lisboa, Macau

One Star

• Fook Lam Moon (Wanchai branch), Hong Kong
• Forum, Hong Kong (nice funky place; great place to meet people too)
• Hutong, Hong Kong (Interesting place and food with great view)
• Imperial Court, MGM Grand Hotel, Macau
• Lei Garden (both the IFC and TST branches), Hong Kong (great yumcha as well)
• Ming Court, Langham Place Mongkok, Hong Kong
• Petrus, Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong (people do rave about this restaurant.. go French, go Petrus)
• Pierre (as in Gagnaire), Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
• Regal Palace, Regal Hongkong Hotel, Hong Kong
• Shanghai Garden, Hong Kong
• The Eight, Macau
• The Golden Leaf, Conrad Hotel, Hong Kong
• The Square, Hong Kong
• Tim’s Kitchen, Hong Kong
• Tung Yee Heen, Mandarin Oriental, Macau
• Ying, Crown Macau
• Yung Kee, Hong Kong ("World's best roast goose")