Think New Year celebrations are over? Think again, because it's almost Chinese New Year! Bond with your loved ones over these auspicious pots and poon choi in Hong Kong.
So, here we are again: more New Year celebrations! This time, it’s the Lunar New Year. You might want to honour the occasion by checking out these festive events happening across Hong Kong, or eat out at the restaurants with CNY menus. And if you prefer to celebrate with your loved ones in the comfort of your home, the auspicious poon choi (盆菜) would be perfect. Also known as “big bowl feast”, “treasure pots”, or “Chinese casseroles”, poon choi consists of multiple layers of ingredients in a “basin”, representing unity, abundance, and wealth. So, listen up – especially if you like hearty hot pots and Cantonese soups – because here are the best poon choi in Hong Kong that will warm you up this Chinese New Year and beyond.
Gather round for the best poon choi in Hong Kong 2023
1. Ming Court, Cordis, Hong Kong
One of the most coveted Chinese restaurants in Hong Kong, Michelin-starred Ming Court is offering a wide array of delicacies for families to celebrate Lunar New Year. Among them is the CNY Festive Casserole ($2,888 for eight persons; $1,588 for four), which is made up whole 10-head abalone, fish maw, sea cucumber, Okinawa mozawa seaweed, and plenty of other premium ingredients. This poon choi is served in a casserole clay pot, which you can reheat and reuse at home. We’re also fans of Ming Court’s Abalone, Conpoy, Air-Dried Preserved Meat, and Turnip Pudding ($338), which is crafted with locally grown turnips. (We hear there’s a limited stock, so be sure to grab ’em quick!)
Place orders for Ming Court’s Chinese New Year offerings online at least one day before pick-up.
Ming Court, Level 6, Cordis, Hong Kong, 555 Shanghai Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong, p. 3552 3301, 旺角上海街555號香港康得思酒店6樓明閣
2. Spring Moon, The Peninsula Hong Kong
Delight in a bountiful poon choi at Spring Moon, the Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant in The Peninsula. Served in a porcelain pot ($2,388 for two persons; $4,688 for four) or in a Staub pot ($5,688 for four; $9,988 for eight), the pot consists of abalone, fish maw, mushrooms, and dried scallops. In addition to poon choi, a selection of takeaway dishes are also available via PenFare at Home, including the CNY-exclusive “Great Treasures” Cheesecake.
Place your orders for PenFare at Home and Spring Moon’s other Chinese New Year offerings online.
Spring Moon, 1/F, The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, p. 2696 6760, 尖沙咀梳士巴利道香港半島酒店1樓嘉麟樓
3. China Tang Landmark
One of our favourite Chinese restaurants in Hong Kong, China Tang, is releasing three sumptuous Chinese casseroles. Firstly, the Prosperity Poon Choi ($2,888) has 20 hand-picked ingredients, including Australian abalone; premium fish maw; shark’s fin; Japanese sea cucumber; and more. Next, not to be missed by those who love spicy food is the Flamboyant Spicy Poon Choi ($2,888). Last but not least, the most luxurious option is the Premium “Buddha Jumped Over the Wall” for four persons ($9,888). The pot contains top-quality ingredients such as 28-head dried abalone from South Africa.
You might also wanna check out China Tang’s Lunar New Year puddings on its eshop!
China Tang, Shop 411-413, 4/F, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2522 2148, 中環皇后大道中15號置地廣場中庭4樓411-413號舖唐人館
4. Regal Hotels
Offering four different poon choi pots, Regal Hotels is serving up a truly majestic feast for you and your loved ones this season. You can opt for the Abalone Supreme Poon Choi ($1,988 for six persons); the Three-Head Whole Abalone and Lobster Poon Choi ($1,788 for six); a slightly smaller Abalone Deluxe Poon Choi ($1,288 for four); or the Deluxe Vegetarian Poon Choi ($1,288 for six). You’ll find premium ingredients, including whole abalone, fish maw, sea cucumber, and more. The veggie-friendly poon choi also features morel and yellow fungus, which are low in fat while high in protein and collagen – ideal for vegetarians and those who are health-conscious.
Place your orders for Regal Hotels’ poon choi via its eShop.
Regal Hotels (富豪酒店) has various locations across Hong Kong.
5. Summer Palace, Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong
Executive Chinese Chef Leung Yu-king and his team from the Michelin-starred Summer Palace are preparing two authentic Chinese casseroles for Lunar New Year 2023. First is the Summer Palace Prestige Fortune Poon Choi ($6,988 for six persons) which is made up of a whole 32-head Yoshihama abalone, fish maw, Souya scallops, and more. You can also opt for the Summer Palace Prosperity Poon Choi ($4,488 for six), featuring whole three-head abalone, pan-fried stuffed fish, dried oysters, among other ingredients. What’s more, a pair of koi fish-shaped Chinese New Year puddings come complimentary with each poon choi purchased – perfect for dessert!
Order Summer Palace Poon Choi via Shangri-La Boutique and find out more about Shangri-La Spring Bloom Festive Goodies.
Summer Palace, Level 5, Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong, Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2820 8551, 金鐘法院道太古廣場港島香格里拉酒店5樓夏宮
6. Duddell’s
Michelin-starred Duddell’s is offering two traditional poon choi pots this season: the Premium Poon Choi (from $3,988), and the Deluxe Poon Choi (from $2,488). Both consist of South African abalone, semi-dried oysters in osmanthus honey, sea cucumber, pork belly, and more. The difference between the two casseroles lies in the abalone used: the Premium Poon Choi contains five-head abalone, whereas the Deluxe one features 10-head abalone. Whichever you choose, you’re in for a treat!
Note that you need to place your order via Jia Everywhere two days prior to pick-up. Duddell’s poon choi is available for pick-up between 17 and 21 January.
Duddell’s, Level 3, 1 Duddell Street, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2525 9191, 中環都爹利街1號3樓都爹利會館
7. Tsui Hang Village
If you’re looking for an authentic Cantonese poon choi in Hong Kong, the two takeaway Treasure Pots from Tsui Hang Village are not to be missed. This Michelin-recommended restaurant is offering, firstly, the Boston Lobster & Abalone Premium Treasure Pot ($1,980 for six persons) which brims over with a whole Boston lobster, 10-head South African abalones, Canadian scallops, and many other seafood delicacies. Alternatively, you can go for the Traditional Stuffed Carp Fish Treasure Pot ($1,380 for six) which contains a homemade pan-fried stuffed carp fish, along with Japanese convoy, sun-dried oysters, roast goose, and more.
You can order the Boston Lobster & Abalone Premium Treasure Pot and Traditional Stuffed Carp Fish Treasure Pot via the Mira eShop. Note that only self pick-up is available, and you need to book at least three days beforehand.
Tsui Hang Village (翠亨邨) has several branches across Hong Kong.
8. Harbour Kitchen
Between 13 and 21 January, Harbour Kitchen in the HKCEC is offering a classic Superior Poon Choi ($1,288 for six persons) for Chinese New Year. This big bowl feast is made up of 17 ingredients, including Chilean abalone, shrimp, poached chicken, roasted duck, and more, served along with crispy fish skin and a mala sauce to spice things up.
Note that Harbour Kitchen’s poon choi is only available for takeaway. Orders must be placed three working days in advance, using this online form. Check out HKCEC’s dining offers for 2023 Lunar New Year.
Harbour Kitchen, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, p. 2582 7241, 灣仔海灣道1號香港會議展覽中心港灣茶餐廳
