#338 勝香園 @ Central, Hong Kong
It has been almost a week since I last updated as I have been so busy travelling! Was at Bangkok for 4D3N and currently on day 2 at Hong Kong. So let’s fast forward my foodblog to the present day since I am in the mood to write a little about this Hong Kong dai pai dong (大牌檔) that I went with Sandra and Gwendalen last July and the Power2Change mates yesterday.
勝香園
中環美輪街2號排檔
2544 8368
FIRST VISIT: 23rd JUNE 2013
When I came to Hong Kong last year, I was so disappointed by all the restaurants that were recommended online. This is because I found the Hong Kong food at Vancouver way better than the ones at Hong Kong. Thankfully, Sandra brought Gwendalen and I to this dai pai dong at Central and I was so happy to find something uncommercialized and old school at Hong Kong! Sing Heung Yuen is known for their macaroni/noodles tomato based soups but since Gwendalen and I were so full from a heavy breakfast at a franchised cafe (茶餐廳) called Lan Fong Yuen earlier, we decided to share a bowl of tomato and egg macaroni soup (5th picture). Since Sandra majors in Food & Nutrition like myself, she is conscious of the food she eats. As most of the dishes comprises of canned and processed meats such as luncheon meat, sausages and ham, she got a bowl of mixed vegetables macaroni soup (6th & 7th pictures). It costs us HKD$21 & HKD$18 respectively. You can substitute your choice of carbohydrate source from instant noodles to macaroni or rice noodles and switch your sausages between red sausage and chicken sausage. I love how rich the macaroni tomato based broth is. However, both Gwendalen and I could not finish it as we were so bloated. Since there are always room for desserts, we also tried the recommended butter and honey with lemon on cripsy bun to go with honey and salted lemon beverage, which costs us HKD$11 &13 respectively. I really love the toast as it is a twist from the kaya toast or french toast i used to have. Everyone knows that honey and lemon goes well together but to have the bun toasted and with the addition of butter, it tastes heavenly! The honey and salted lemon beverage is also a change from the usual sweet milk tea that Hong Kong has to offer. You can either request for lemon to be squeezed in before the drink is served to you or you can squeeze it on your own after being served. It was truly one of the best meals I had during that trip!
SECOND VISIT: 22ND AUGUST 2014
It was an annual reunion with the UBC Power2Change mates and although HK people think that it is very touristy to visit dai pai dong, I still insist on it as I cherish authentic cultural tastes and traditional food places. Enoch came up with a couple of dai pai dong suggestions but since most of them were pretty far away and all of us have programs along the Island line after, we decided to make do with Sing Heung Yuen.
I have no idea why I am always bloated prior to having lunch at Sing Heung Yuen. This time, Bonnie and I had an impromptu breakfast at Honolulu Cafe and I had breakfast at home with Ku Zhongxin before that. So while the others had their signature macaroni tomato soup and toasts, I got the crispy pork bun with butter and honey lemon toast and salted honey lemon beverage. Although the crispy pork bun was good, I was so full that I only had half of the crispy pork bun and 1/4 of the butter honey lemon toast! I brought the rest back but was still unable to finish it. What a bummer!
P/S: Do you realize that most of the ingredients that went along with the macaroni dishes are processed and canned meats? This is because Hong Kong was heavily influenced by the British during that time. However, these types of meals have become part of the Hong Kong cuisine in modern times.
Please also note that you have to be aggressive when you come to outdoor pai dong places like Sing Heung Yuen as you have to wait for people to stand up and quickly sit down to grab the seats. Do not expect great services too!
PAYMENT METHODS: CASH ONLY!
Nearest Station: Central/Sheung Wan – Island Line
Ambiance: 6/10
Service: 5.5/10
Food (Taste & Appearance): 7.5/10
Value: 8/10
Total: 6.75/10★
My first dai pai dong and definitely the first delicious meal I had on my 22 days in HK last year. I had better food this time so it’s not too bad as well!
