Ottolenghi might have popularised Middle Eastern cooking for the masses with his creative plates packed full of flavour, but Hong Kong is still home to only a handful of restaurants doing it well in the city. From Syrian to Lebanese, Bedouin, Israeli and Palestinian flavours, Hong Kong offers a tour around the region with colourful dishes full of smoke, spice and sweetness.
Francis
Head chef Asher Goldstein recalls memories of mezze and hearty grilled plates found on the vibrant streets of Tel Aviv at his neighbourhood joint Francis in Wan Chai. The menu of Israeli dishes is simple but elevated with hummus coated in roasted chickpeas, burnt eggplant served with chilli and yoghurt and baked halloumi garnished with pomegranate molasses. Everything, from the skewers to the vegetable sides, are excellent, and, as every great meal should end with something sweet, the knafeh with mozzarella topped with vanilla ice cream and pistachio certainly does the trick.
4 – 6 St. Francis Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, francis.com.hk
Maison Libanaise
Head up to Maison Libanaise’s leafy, fairy-light lit rooftop to be (almost) transported to balmy nights in Beirut. Colourful sharing plates here are low-key Middle-Eastern comfort food at its best. The muhamara, for example, is a spiced chargrilled red pepper dip with walnuts, pistachios and cumin, while a levantine fattoush comes with crispy pita khobez and a sumac dressing. Larger dishes include a delicious roasted cauliflower with harissa and tahini, and meats from the grill.
G/F-2/F, 10 Shelley Street, Central, Hong Kong; maisonlibanaise.com.hk
Bedu
Taking its cue from the nomadic wanderings of the Bedouin tribes across the deserts of North Africa to the Middle East, Bedu celebrates the rich culinary traditions and flavoursome spices of the region. Small plates are delicious, with standouts including the octopus with lemon, harissa and beetroot and the garlic lamb shoulder with labneh, but, if you’re struggling to pick, the chefs will serve up a selection of their favourites. On the walls outside, a mural of a fictional Bedouin character Amal is impossible to miss, while a small bar attracts after-work drinkers to the corner of Gough Street.
40 Gough Street Central; bedurestaurant.com
Mama Malouf
View this post on Instagram
From Australian chef Alex Malouf, whose uncle Greg found culinary fame with his fine-dining Lebanese restaurant in Melbourne, comes this vibrant cafe in Kennedy Town. It’s an ode to his mother’s cooking, with hearty dishes that fuse the sweet and the savoury served in a space that’s bright and funky. There’s a modern twist to the food – a halloumi fondue comes with fig jam and brioche, while prawns are served skewered with tomato and chorizo, and doner chips are fully loaded with shawarma chicken or pulled lamb. But Mama’s Mezze keeps things classic with hummus, baba ganoush, taramasalata and pickles, and the traditional falafel served with tahini, mint and tomatoes has been perfected —golden brown and crisp on the outside, and light and crumbly inside.
G/F, 93 Catchick St, Kennedy Town; mamamalouf.hk
Pomegranate Kitchen
View this post on Instagram
Inspired by Maria Bizri’s hometown of Beirut and time spent in Damascus, Pomegranate Kitchen serves up vibrant food that is a colourful array of herbs, spices and, no surprise, pomegranate. Dips of babaganoush, pistachio and black olive hummus, and dukkah labneh start, followed by creative salads and excellent mains such as tender chargrilled meats, various stews and herb-stuffed fish. An open plan kitchen is the beating heart of the huge, white-washed space. A large outdoor terrace makes Pomegranate Kitchen a popular spot for parties too – it can be hired out for events that range from family-style dinners to corporate cocktails.
4b, Sing Teck Factory Building, 44 Wong Chuk Hang Rd, Aberdeen; pomkitch.com
Editor
Emma RussellCredit
Photo: Courtesy of Bedu
