By Tedrick Yau
June 15, 2023

Hong Kong has always been a home away from home. Either visiting relatives, indulging in local cuisine, or simply taking a quick break from Manila, it is the easiest destination to go to. After finally reopening its borders, I took the chance to rekindle my love for this beautiful city.

I make it a point to replenish my stock of tea back home. Growing up in a Chinese-Filipino household, tea is second to water. We were informed early on how beneficial tea is and were asked – or rather obligated – to finish one tall glass every morning when I was a kid. I headed to Hung Hing Tai in Causeway Bay to select high-grade pu erh tea cakes and loose leaves from their selection.

Speaking of other tea-related agendas, I discovered N.I.P Catnip Gin No. 2 by Hong Kong Craft Distilling Co. An enthusiast of both gin and tea, I was more than willing to taste the infusion. And, no… N.I.P doesn’t literally mean the treats for cats; rather, it stands for “Not-Important-Persons,” representing the founders belief that regardless of one’s stature, anyone can achieve something remarkable through passion and persistence, and most importantly, the courage to take a leap of faith. The main ingredients include juniper berries, mandarin peel, coriander seeds and Da Hong Pao, a premium type of oolong tea. It has orchid fragrance and a mineral and fruity palate, hints of caramel, vanilla and stone fruits, with a long-lasting sweet aftertaste.

Of course, outlet shopping is never to be missed. This time around, I explored Florentia Village in Kwai Chung. Prada, Balmain, Bottega Veneta, Versace and many more offer great deals and pieces. It is advisable to include this in the shopping itinerary.

Moving to local design, I accidentally stumbled upon menswear label Harrison Wong during the last few hours before my departure. I was killing time at Times Square in Causeway Bay when I was drawn to the store. The pieces were eye-catchy, structured, and modern. It epitomized the high-quality, fashion-forward aesthetic that I’ve always loved about Hong Kong style. I decided to try on a few pieces and ended up buying most of what I wore. It was so unexpected and I’ve been so eager to wear these pieces in my unending Manila events.

Speaking of more discoveries, Asian restaurant Savvy in Tsim Sha Tsui is my current favorite. My palate was immediately delighted as soon as I started with the Sea Prawn Style Salad and Singapore Satay. Appetizing to look at and taste, I sampled the beautifully plated Indian Curry Thali Set. Not to be missed was the flavorful Roasted Thai Herbal Chicken. The piece de resistance was the unique Syphon Style Tom Yum Kung with Fresh River Prawns that transformed the usual soup experience into something a little more interactive. I couldn’t resist and ordered the creamy coconut-based Cocovvy and the citrusy-tasting Yuzuvvy cocktails. I will surely be dining here again when I book my stay at the recently refurbished Marco Polo Prince.

More on new food finds, I was able to try Check In Taipei. The restaurant serves traditional Taiwanese dishes with a modern twist. Every bite of the Signature Crispy Chicken was a burst of flavors in my mouth. The Lu Rou Rice was a great option for a quick meal with seasoned meat over a bed of hot rice. Of course, what is Taiwanese cuisine without savory Beef Noodles! This was a highlight with the delicious broth. Adding to these, the restaurant also did their tea-infused cocktails right. The Tie Guan Yin Fizz with tea-infused vodka and soda was quite refreshing while the I Love Taimei with pu erh tea-infused gin with hints of lemon was easy to drink that I wanted a second glass.

Lastly, for a sweeter experience, I went to Tin Hau for the first time in search of Chokohood. Katie Chan, founder and owner, introduced the Chokohood Party. It brought together panna cotta with cacao fruit syrup, dark chocolate choux, and salted caramel ice cream. The different desserts were interestingly delectable that I wanted more. I couldn’t understand the concept of Cacao Tea until I experienced how delightfully balanced the bitterness of the cacao-infused tea with syrup was. Ending the experience was the Rose Raspberry Chocolate Croffle with Pistachio Gelato that had a good mix of sweetness without overpowering flavors.