You’d be lucky to get a table at the restaurants run by these best chefs in Hong Kong. So get booking, stat!
You may already have visited all the new restaurants in Hong Kong; you may know the city’s street food and local faves inside out. But, did you know that today (20 October) is International Chef Day? As true foodies here at Honeycombers, we’d like to give some love to those who toil in the kitchens night and day, and to the F&B industry for enduring the pandemic. As The World’s 50 Best Restaurants has just released its 2022 list, let’s celebrate the masterminds behind our city’s most acclaimed restaurants. Here are some of the best chefs in Hong Kong.
International Chef Day 2022: Best chefs in Hong Kong
1. Kwok Keung Tung – The Chairman
It’s all about continuing the legacy of Cantonese cuisine at The Chairman. And with the Michelin-star restaurant nabbing the number 5 spot in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants (and number 24 in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants) this year, you’d know that its Head Chef, Kwok Keung Tung, has been doing it right.
Partnering with food connoisseur and the restaurant’s owner, Danny Yip, Kwok demonstrates his perfectionism and attention to detail in his cooking. Believing that simple cooking allows the ingredients to shine, Kwok picks only the freshest produce of the utmost quality. He also curates the tasting menu at The Chairman, featuring a variety of seafood dishes, such as razor clams and flowery crabs. This restaurant is definitely not to be missed, but good luck with booking a table!
The Chairman, 18 Kau U Fong, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2555 2202
2. Vicky Cheng – VEA Restaurant
Born in Hong Kong and classically trained under French gastronomic influences, Vicky Cheng pioneers a ‘Chinese x French’ fusion concept at his one-Michelin-starred restaurant, VEA. Integrating Chinese ingredients with French culinary techniques, Cheng displays a high level of precision and finesse in his dishes. Some of his signature creations include the Abalone Pithiviers and Roasted Sea Cucumber, the latter of which was inspired by his grandmother’s cooking.
Thanks to VEA’s outstanding service, the restaurant won the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award 2021. VEA is also ranked 63 in Asia’s Best Restaurants 2022. Furthermore, Cheng was recognised in The Best Chef Awards 2021, placing 60 among the Top 100 chefs around the world.
Follow Vicky Cheng on Instagram.
VEA, 30/F, The Wellington, 198 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2711 8639
3. Matthew Kirkley – Belon
The Michelin-starred Belon stands out with its elegant, neo-Parisian style and its commitment to ingredient-driven cuisine. Opened by Daniel Calvert, the restaurant was passed on to Chef Matthew Kirkley before reopening in March 2021. Having earned Michelin stars with two previous restaurants (L2O in Chicago and Coi in San Francisco), it’s expected that Kirkley will raise the bar at Belon (no pressure though, mate!). Don’t miss out on the classic homemade leavened bread with salted butter at Belon, and be sure to try Kirkley’s additions to the menu. These include a foie gras tartlet with sauternes wine for starter and the clémentine millefeuille for dessert.
Follow Matthew Kirkley on Instagram.
Belon, 1/F, 1-5 Elgin Street, Soho, Hong Kong, p. 2152 2872
4. Richard Ekkebus – Amber, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental
Two-Michelin-starred Amber at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental has been a long-standing favourite for Hongkongers. Amber has been led by the Dutch culinary director, Richard Ekkebus, since its opening in 2005. Ekkebus is most recognised for his forward-thinking approach with regards to sustainable cooking, having a gender-balanced kitchen, as well as being flexible and innovative to cater to those with dietary needs.
Follow Richard Ekkebus on Instagram.
Amber, 7/F, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, 15 Queen’s Road, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2132 0066
5. Chan Yan Tak – Lung King Heen, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong
Lung King Heen at Four Seasons has been led by Executive Chinese Chef Chan Yan-tak since 2004, when he was lured out of retirement and back to the kitchen. Just four years later, Chan became the first Chinese chef in history to be awarded three Michelin stars, and made Lung King Heen one of the few establishments in Hong Kong with such outstanding accolades. Our favourites at Lung King Heen include the Baked Barbecued Pork Buns with Pine Nuts, and the Baked Whole Abalone Puff with Diced Chicken.
Lung King Heen, Podium 4, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong, p. 3196 8880
6. Vicky Lau – Tate Dining Room
Previously a graphic designer, Vicky Lau is a true artist – and it shows through her dishes, too. As a result, she’s won The Best Chef Food Art Award and was ranked 49 in the Top 100 chefs in The Best Chef Awards in 2021. She’s also led her fine dining restaurant, Tate Dining Room, to attain its second Michelin star after achieving its first one back in 2013 (and maintaining it since). Lau’s ever-evolving tasting menu, Edible Stories, is her continuous exploration of art and self-expression through food.
Follow Vicky Lau on Instagram.
Tate Dining Room, 210 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, p. 2555 2172
7. Paul Lau Ping-lui – Tin Lung Heen, The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong
Two-Michelin-starred Tin Lung Heen is one of the most celebrated Cantonese fine dining restaurants in Hong Kong. Not only do you get to admire a stunning birds’ eye view of the city from the top of the ICC, but you’ll also get to sample elegant dim sum and teas crafted by the revered Chef de Cuisine, Paul Lau Ping-lui. With almost four decades of culinary experience under his belt (half of which from when he was working as a dim sum chef), Lau is the expert when it comes to refined and authentic Cantonese cuisine. As for the signature dishes here, we’d recommend the prawn toast, steamed crab claw with egg white in Huadiao wine, and the deep-fried crab shell filled with crab meat and onion.
Tin Lung Heen, 102/F, The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, p. 2263 2270
8. Jayson Tang – Man Ho Chinese Restaurant, JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong
Inspired by Lau, Jayson Tang is a young chef that strives to inject new flavours into the traditional dim sum and Cantonese cuisine. And he’s on his way to his goal – if not there already – as he’s managed to attain Man Ho’s first Michelin star this year. As the Executive Chinese Chef, Tang has crafted various authentic Chinese dishes using fresh seafood and premium ingredients. The most popular items include the pan-fried fish maw with almond chicken broth; steamed egg with flathead lobster, dried fish roe, and saffron; as well as the fresh fish soup with fish maw and assorted seafood.
Follow Jayson Tang on Instagram.
Man Ho Chinese Restaurant, Level 3, JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong, p. 2810 8366
