Check out Humans of Hong Kong, our newest video series focused on telling Hong Kong stories!
What in the world are single-item restaurants? Well, simply put, they are restaurants with menus designed around one single ingredient. While they may seem like a new gimmick in the dining scene, these speciality restaurants have actually been kicking around for ages in the form of ice cream parlours and pizzerias. In the age of oversaturation, restaurants that offer limited or no options at all are growing increasingly popular in Hong Kong. We’ve rounded up the best speciality restaurants in the city that have a narrowly-focused menu for when you’re craving just that one thing.
Artisan De La Truffe is the ultimate love story to the aromatic gourmet tuber. Hailing from Paris, Hong Kong is its only Asian outpost, but the classic and straightforward menu remains the same. Everything—and we mean everything—on the menu contains truffle that’s sourced year-round to ensure freshness, from starters to desserts and drinks. Go for the Dinner Tasting Menu or Truffle Experience Menu, both of which feature luxurious dishes like Lobster Bisque and Australian Wagyu Sirloin cooked with truffle, with an additional whole truffle brought to the table so you and your party can go wild with the shavings. You even get a truffle gift set to take home after your meal overlooking the gorgeous Hong Kong skyline to really make the meal memorable.
Artisan De La Truffe, Shop OTE303, Level 3, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui | (+852) 2885 2030
If you have no plans to ever own property, why not spend all your money on avocado toast at Avobar? This trendy avocado restaurant originally based in London opened in K11 Musea to great fanfare and it’s brought an energetic new twist to the current superfood trend. As reflected in the name, Avobar offers a clean, all-day avocado-centric menu full of favourites like tacos and avo toast. There are dishes for both herbivores and carnivores, provided you love avocados in every form imaginable, all ethically and sustainably sourced. The menu is mostly a carbon copy of the menu in its original Covent Garden, but there are some Hong Kong exclusives, such as the Avo Bun Lobster, a burger made up of halved avos as the bun and succulent lobster chunks as the patty. If you fancy a drink, the cocktail menu features classic cocktails like Bloody Marys and Margaritas with a—you guessed it—avocado twist!
Avobar, Shop B201–4, B2/F, K11 Musea, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Don’t take any vampires or first dates here. Mad for Garlic, an Italian restaurant by way of Korea, focuses on specially processed Korean garlic in almost every dish. Following the same steps that the original Korean chain does to handle the garlic, the bulbs are first cleansed, then drained to retain the rich flavour of garlic, without the pungent aroma that most people are averse to. It is then prepared in 11 different ways for the extensive range of dishes; deep-fried, vinegar-soaked, roasted, pickled, and candied. The dishes here are creative spins on traditional Italian favourites, such as its signature Garlic Snowing Pizza with sweet garlic, shrimp, and piled with pineapple, cheese, and garlic chips on a crisp thin-crust (made from Korean flour). When the pizza arrives, Parmesan is grated over the dish to mimic snowfall. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a garlic dessert, as well. You might be surprised at how well it works.
Mad for Garlic, locations vary
Peel Street French favourite La Vache! only offers one dish, and you best believe they do it well. This lively Parisian brasserie serves up a mean steak frites: succulently marbled USDA Prime trimmed entrecote (ribeye) steak with unlimited thin-cut fries and generous amounts of a secret recipe sauce. It’s a simple formula for success, and even after half a decade in business, the wait for a table is still lengthy. To make the most out of your steakhouse experience, bring a large group with you to cut out the waiting time (La Vache! accepts reservations for parties of five or more), and the sharing platters piled high with juicy cuts of steak and free flow fries will ensure that everyone gets their fix, but still has room for their ridiculously indulgent dessert cart. The vibes here are always upbeat and welcoming, but for a real party, plan your visit for their Disco Brunch which serves the standard menu but with free-flow drinks and loud disco beats.
La Vache!, 48 Peel Street, SoHo, Central | (+852) 2880 0248 12 Hart Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui | (+852) 2666 6818
Don’t feel like making the pilgrimage to Kobe for real wagyu beef? Famed top-notch Japanese wagyu beef purveyor Wagyumafia opened its first overseas venture in a sleepy corner of Wan Chai and it has taken the local Instagram gourmand scene by storm. The secretive restaurant offers a tasting menu of seasonal small plates that showcase rich top-grade Kobe beef, presented on the intimate chef’s counter as your dinner is prepared for you via live cooking and butchering demonstrations. You don’t need to be a member to book in for dinner, but the members-only menu does offer more dishes with a focus on local flavours. It may not be the cheapest option, but we promise the serving of their world’s most expensive wagyu cutlet sandwich (the decadent Chateaubriand Katsusando) already makes it all worth it. For a more casual option, their tsukemen shop Mashi no Mashi is at the same location, and serves up hearty bowls of wagyu tsukemen for a small fraction of the price of the tasting menu.
Wagyumafia, Shop 1B, G/F, 32 Oi Kwan Road, Wan Chai | (+852) 2608 0677
Wingman is Hong Kong’s answer to Buffalo Wild Wings, and with a name like that, you know your wing cravings will be satisfied. Following the runaway success of their pop-up at PMQ Taste Kitchen, Wingman now has their own physical location. The fun-loving team at Wingman keeps it simple with over 10 signature chicken wing flavours, from a classic Buffalo to specialities like Coffee Dry Rub and Hoisin Sesame Glaze and Singapore “Zing”. Wing deals happen frequently: Wednesdays are $5 wing nights, weekends are host to a killer two-hour free-flow deal of wings and drinks for only $350 per person, and a daily All-You-Can-Eat deal for just $198. Support your local businesses!
Wingman, 6/F, Cheung Hing Commercial Building, 37–43 Cochrane St, Central | (+852) 3426 2418
Currently based in Hong Kong by way of Calgary, Inés has always had a passion for writing and her creative work can be found in obscure literary ’zines. When she’s not busy scouring the city for the best gin-based cocktail, she can be found curled up with her journal and fur-ever friend Peanut. Don’t be surprised if you cross paths with her and she already knows all your mates.
Top
