Up a small street in Sheung Wan, A Side/B Side offers a haven of calm and deliciousness away from the madness of the big city.
There are always new restaurants in Hong Kong popping up, but what about the long-standing favourites? We love ourselves some stalwarts, who stand the test of time, like Olé, Arcane and Zuma. Having been around since early 2016, A Side/B Side is an independent restaurant that is all about creating a little oasis of calm away from the city, and the food is absolutely top notch.
What’s so special about A Side/B Side?
I’m going to be brutally honest. I am anally retentive about food. When I’m eating out, I expect to be wowed, and A Side/B Side in Sheung Wan is one of the few restaurants in Hong Kong that has got me excited about new flavour combinations recently.
This intimate little spot seats only 22 people around a centre counter. The dark green interiors are complemented by chalk drawings of the menu across the walls, that are broken up by rows of recipe books. Ambience wise, the soundtrack is a curated list of music that is designed to help you step out of the fast pace of the city and relax.
Having worked at a number of Michelin-starred restaurants throughout France and Hong Kong prior (including Restaurant Akrame in both locations), Chef Jon Irwin is the brains behind the exquisitely presented food that not only looks good, but tastes damn good too.
Tell me about the food!
There’s no à-la-carte menu at A Side/B Side, and the set menus all depend on what Irwin is inspired by, and what’s fresh at the suppliers and in season. On the day we went, we started with a beautiful first course of marinated and slow cooked Norwegian salmon with mustard sauce on a bed of cucumber, apple and avocado jelly. Topped with coriander and lime breadcrumbs, this dish was majestic. The mustard sauce added a wonderful zing, while the breadcrumbs and coriander gave some great texture, and talk about a looker!
The chicken boudin with coconut and lemongrass was devoured quickly by the team to rave reviews. While I don’t eat chicken, the coconut and lemongrass mousse was sensational, and I totally understand Irwin’s flavour combination with the French-style white pudding.
Surprisingly, I have to say that the dessert was my fave, even though I don’t have much of a sweet tooth. A wonderful dark chocolate mousse with Jerusalem artichoke and chantilly with bergamot essential bowl was presented to us, topped with chocolate pebbles for crunch, and man was it amazing. You got little hits of artichoke and sinfully delicious chocolate all mixed in with the texture of the pebbles – so good!
Will I be going back?
Yes! In fact I’m booked in for a 6-course dinner this evening, and I can’t wait to see what’s served up.
A Side/B Side, G/F, 53 Sai Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, p. 2857 5055,上環西街53號地舖