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Cheese Shops In Hong Kong: Gouda, Brie, Vegan Alternatives And More

Carmina Jariel — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 08:54:52 +0000

Top cheese shops in Hong Kong that will have you feeling gouda and grate, one bite at a time!

There’s no such thing as too much when it comes to cheese (unless, of course, you’re lactose intolerant). From ooey-gooey brie to rich camembert, every nibble is worth the extra calorie count. Whether you’re assembling a charcuterie platter or stocking up your snack stash, here’s where you can buy cheese in Hong Kong!

Cheese Club — Affordable cheese in Hong Kong directly sourced from farmers

On the hunt for a budget-friendly cheese selection in Hong Kong? Cheese Club offers various cheese options at prices up to 50% lower than local retail. They source their products directly from farmers, ensuring top-quality artisanal cheeses while committing to sustainability. You can also shop organic fruits and vegetables, French wines, premium fresh meat and seafood, as well as pantry gourmet essentials on their website. Keep your eyes peeled for Cheese Club’s monthly promotions for a gourmet meal that won’t break the bank.

Use code SASSYMACHEESE24 at checkout and receive a gift/product worth $50 to $80. Valid until Wednesday, 31 December 2025.

Cheese Club, Room A, 19/F, Excelsior Industrial Building, 68-79 Sha Tsui Road, Tsuen Wan, New Territories, www.instagram.com/cheeseclub.hk, cheeseclub.hk

Cheese From Far & Delicacies — European Cheese Shop in Hong Kong

Cheese From Far & Delicacies is a Dutch-owned boutique cheese shop in Hong Kong that sells seasonal and fresh fromage sourced straight from Europe. Its online catalogue boasts dozens of wallet-friendly cheese varieties, but you can head to its physical store to personally sample and savour your choice. Shelves are also stocked with cheeseware, cold cuts and condiments. Keep an eye out for fun cheese-tasting workshops for kids, and cheese and wine-pairing sessions for adults!

Cheese From Far & Delicacies, 5 Tak Lung Back Street, Sai Kung, New Territories, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/cheesefromfarhk, www.instagram.com/cheesefromfar, cheesefromfar.com

Feather & Bone — Artisan cheese shop in Hong Kong with multiple locations

A butcher, deli and grocer rolled into one, Feather & Bone sources artisan cheeses from all over the globe and offers them at its multiple locations across Hong Kong. Expect premium flavours from the Swiss Alps to the French countryside and Italian villages, all curated to delight your palate. If you’re not sure what to get, its knowledgeable grocers are more than happy to suggest.

Feather & Bone, multiple locations across Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/feathernbonehk, featherandbone.com.hk

Oliver’s The Delicatessen — Hong Kong cheese shop for soft to age-old classics

For over 25 years, Oliver’s The Delicatessen has been offering gourmet food and wines to discerning customers. Its counter has an expansive selection of creamy, age-old classics and soft cheeses that will complete your charcuterie board.

Oliver’s The Delicatessen, Prince’s Building, Shop 201-205, 2/F Landmark Prince’s Building, 10 Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong, www.oliversthedeli.com.hk

The Cheese House — Cheeses sourced from Europe

At The Cheese House, products are split into five categories: buffalo milk, cow’s milk, goat’s milk, sheep’s milk and special creations. Its online catalogue is a playground for both the clueless and the cheesemonger, with each item matched with a detailed description, including origin and aroma. One of its special creations is 36-month Comte from Eastern France, known for its delicate flavour and perfect texture with aromatic hints of dry fruits, nuts, milk and cream.

The Cheese House, 10/F Flat 4, Wing Lee Industrial Building, 54-58 Tong Mi Rd, Mong Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/thecheesehousehk, www.thecheesehouse.hk

La Crèmerie — Cheese from French farms

LQV Group’s La Crèmerie is home to a generous selection of cow, ewe, and goat cheeses from French farms. It also offers wines, cold cuts, and scene-stealing cheese platters for your next gathering.

La Crèmerie, 118 Caine Road, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong
La Crèmerie, 4 Swatow Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, shop-hk.lqv-group.com

Food Craft — Vegan-friendly cheese alternative

Thanks to science, even those with dairy restrictions can say “cheese” again! At Food Craft, you can choose from creamy and tangy cashew-based spreads to robust almond-based wheels—all dairy-free! The shop uses ingredients that are organic, non-GMO, and ethically produced, ensuring that every bite is as good for the conscience as it is for the tastebuds.

Food Craft, 16F Unit A, Yiu Ga Factory Building, 62 Victoria Road, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong (Entrance on Sai Ning Street), www.foodcraft.hk

Lamma Gourmet — Impressive cheese selection for non-islanders

For non-islanders looking for some quality cheese, Lamma Gourmet’s impressive selection ranges from smooth and creamy to delightfully tangy bites. It has ricotta, perfect for spreading on crusty bread, as well as gouda, ideal for snacking or enhancing your cheese board. Best of all, Lamma Gourmet’s products are reasonably priced so you can indulge without feeling guilty.

Lamma Gourmet, 71 Yung Shue Wan Main Street, Lamma Island, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/lammagourmet

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Christmas Food Catering In Hong Kong: All You Need For A Festive Dinner At Home

Sassy Mama — Sun, 24 Nov 2024 22:00:18 +0000

It’s time to plan your Christmas food catering in Hong Kong! If there’s ever a time to splurge on food, it’s the festive season. Whether you are looking for high-end takeaway menus or prefer to buy your ingredients at the nearest Marks & Spencer or City’super, there are plenty of places to find your perfect turkey, honey-glazed ham, seafood, the works!

The festive season is upon us! We’ve organised the decorations for the Christmas tree, mapped out the best Christmas displays and marked our calendars to sort the Christmas gifts at the festive markets around town. Now it’s time to think about Christmas food!

We round up where you can get everything from turkey to lamb, cheese to jam, and everything in between to make your Christmas dinner extra special. If you are also looking at easy festive dining-at-home options, we have rounded up where you can get ready-to-cook items, festive restaurant takeaways and Christmas food catering. Happy holidays!

Editor’s Note: We will continue to update this article for Christmas 2024. Subscribe to the Sassy Mama newsletter to be the first to know when our content drops!

Jump To:
Where To Buy Festive Dinner Ingredients
Christmas Party Catering
Festive Cakes And Desserts

Where To Buy Christmas Dinner Ingredients: Turkey, Ham, Seafood

Plantin Kaviari – Premium holiday spread ingredients from France

Want to impress your guests with chef-approved dining at home? Since 2009, Plantin Kaviari has been providing premium food items from France to Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury hotels in Hong Kong and Macau. It has a wide selection of high-end ingredients, perfect for whipping up incredible dishes right in your kitchen. This Christmas, Plantin Kaviari has everything you need to create that mouthwatering holiday spread, including turkey, capon, foie gras, beef, lamb, fresh truffles and condiments, caviar and more! Just make sure to avoid the hectic season by pre-ordering your fresh poultry and meat.

Plantin Kaviari, 2A, E Wah Factory Building, 56-60 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong, 9451 6412, www.facebook.com/plantinkaviarihk, www.plantinkaviari.hk

Feather & Bone– Christmas food ingredients and ready-cooked catering

This butcher cum deli knows how to do Christmas dinner in style. You’ll find ready-to-roast Christmas food, bacon and sausages as well as Christmas charcuterie and cheese platters.

Feather & Bone, various locations in Hong Kong, www.featherandbone.com.hk

meatmarket.hk — Pre-order your festive turkey and ham

With the festive season fast approaching, we love that we can get our turkeys all in a row thanks to meatmarket.hk. You can score everything from beef steaks and seafood to sausages, ham and bacon.

meatmarket.hk, 9700 0075, www.meatmarket.com.hk

Eat The Kiwi – Award-winning online grocer

If you are looking to shop for free-range turkey, juicy legs of lamb and ham or the freshest seafood this Christmas, browse through Eat The Kiwi. Its seafood is sourced from sustainable-certified fisheries; all of its meat is steroid, hormone and antibiotic-free. It has limited stock of Christmas turkeys, but check out its other festive fare.

Eat The Kiwi, 6370 3823, www.store.eatthekiwi.com

city’super – Affordable turkeys with all the trimmings

At city’super you’ll find raw and cooked turkeys, stuffing, sauce, herbs and spices, cranberry sauce and paper plates and bowls for your festive gathering.

city’super, various locations across Hong Kong, online.citysuper.com.hk

Marks & Spencer – All the essentials to cook your Christmas dinner

Head to your nearest Marks & Spencer store or download the M&S app to find all the essentials you need to put together a delicious Christmas dinner at home. It sells Christmas pudding, brandy custard, meats and more.

Marks & Spencer, various locations across Hong Kong, www.marksandspencer.com

More Places To Buy Your Turkey, Ham And Seafood For Christmas Dinner

Bones & Blades – Buy premium cuts for Christmas either online or in-store at its Sai Ying Pun or Sai Kung branch. www.bonesandblades.com
Farmer’s Market – Restaurant-quality meat and seafood, perfect for putting together your Christmas dinner. www.farmersmarket.com.hk
My Meat Man – Shop a range of beef, chicken, lamb, pork, seafood and even plant-based meat substitutes for your Christmas dinner. www.mymeatman.com
Waves Pacific – Gourmet, restaurant-quality produce. Look out for its Christmas Dinner home-cook packs launching soon. www.wavespacific.com
GREAT Food Hall – A go-to in Pacific Place for just about any luxury grocery item you could imagine. www.greatfoodhall.com
Oliver’s The Delicatessen – Pop by Prince’s Building and stock up on all your Christmas food shopping. www.oliversthedeli.com.hk

Christmas Party Food Catering — Catering Companies With Special Festive Menus

Shamrock — Christmas catering for intimate to large parties

Shamrock’s festive catering packages can feed a minimum of 20 people, with options for mains such as butter chicken, sole fillet, penne pasta, and roasted sirloin beef. It also offers hand crafted canapes that are perfect for small , medium or large-scale cocktail and Christmas parties.

Shamrock, 9th floor Unit B&D, Ewah Building, 56-60 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Hong Kong, 2547 8155, www.shamrock.com.hk

Kama Delivery — Custom catering boxes for up to 100 people

Kama Delivery provides custom meal boxes, catering sets and a la carte options. Its Christmas party catering package is good for a minimum of five up to 100 people. A party set comes with soup, cold dishes, snacks, mains such as roasted Spanish suckling pig and roasted whole turkey and dessert or drinks.

Kama Delivery, WhatsApp: 5188 0757, www.kamadelivery.com

More Christmas Party Food Catering Companies In Hong Kong

Ginger’s — Choose from the festive buffet and canapes for your Christmas party catering. www.gingers.com.hk
Relish — Christmas catering for festive parties. www.relish.com.hk
La Casa Catering — Hong Kong Christmas catering featuring roasted honey-glazed gammon, Christmas log cake, brie cheese and dry cranberry on toast. lacasacatering.com

Christmas Cakes, Desserts And Panettone For Christmas 2024

It’s not Christmas dinner without dessert! We’ll be constantly on the lookout for great Christmas cakes and desserts as they become available.

The Cakery – Luxurious health-conscious Christmas desserts including pies, cakes and mille feuille. www.thecakery.com
Paul Lafayet – Santa-themed Strawberry Basil Cake, Hazelnut Chocolate, Christmas Chocolate Craquelin, and artisanal pastries perfect for holiday gifts. www.paullafayet.com
Venchi – Chocolate gift boxes and Chocoviar Panettone on offer for Christmas 2024. www.venchi.com.hk
The Peninsula, Boutique — Take home the festive afternoon tea takeaway, chocolate panettone, cookie boxes and more. www.peninsulaboutique.com
Baking Maniac – Christmas hot chocolate bombs, s’more bites, gingerbreads, brownies, cupcakes and more. https://bakingmaniachk.com/collections/christmas
Nina Patisserie – Christmas log cakes, minced pies, chiffon cakes, cheesecakes and more. www.ninapatisserie.com/en/cakes
Bow Artisan Cakery – Delightful winter wonderland cupcakes, Christmas tree cakes and cookies and more. www.dessertswithabow.com

Editor’s Note: The article “Christmas Catering: At-Home Christmas Dinner In Hong Kong” was originally written by Najuka Redkar and was most recently updated by Carmina Jariel in November 2024.

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A Guide To Wet Markets In Hong Kong For The Clueless Shopper

Sassy Mama — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 22:00:10 +0000

Not sure where to start when shopping at your local wet market in Hong Kong? Here’s where to go, what to buy and what to expect.

If you share our enthusiasm for fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, this wet market guide is written just for you. Offering wider varieties than what can typically be found in a supermarket, wet markets are an essential part of Hong Kong’s culture. Most of them operate inside buildings and spill out onto streets, offering everything from fresh produce to seasonal ingredients. We’re covering what’s on offer and where to find them, along with a couple of tips and best-kept secrets in this handy guide to wet market shopping in Hong Kong.

Sassy Mama Tip: A catty is 600g and a tael is 1/16th of a catty. Catty (斤) is pronounced gan1 in Cantonese, and tael (兩) is pronounced leung2

Jump to:
Pork
Poultry
Beef
Seafood
Produce
Best Wet Markets in Hong Kong
Final Tips

Pork

Buying pork can be a little tricky. Hong Kong’s butchers carve their hogs quite differently from British or American butchers, and names of cuts here aren’t the same as those on the mainland. Here are a few of our favourite cuts available in wet markets in Hong Kong:

The First Cut (第一刀): This is the first cut taken from a pig at the butcher’s. Located between the head and the shoulder, this small cut of meat is very popular and sells out pretty quickly. It’s beautifully marbled and tender, great for cutting into small chunks for stir-fries and steaming. Usually priced around $50 to $60 per catty.

Five flower belly (五花腩): One word — bacon. Good cuts of five flower bellies have five alternating layers of meat and fat, ensuring that your slow-roasted pork bellies stay juicy and well-basted in its own fat. We absolutely adore this cut for making our own bacon, porchetta, or siu yuk.

Mui tau pork chop (梅頭豬排): Fattier and more marbled than your average rib chop, the mui tau pork chop stays juicy and tender even when thinly sliced. This cut is closer to the shoulder than the rib chop, which is a little further down the loin. As lovely as double-cut pork chops are for weekend brunches, quick-cooking thin slices are best for weeknight dinners when you just want to get food on the table as quickly as possible.

Sassy Mama Tip: Try talking to your butcher as they can give great recommendations. Wet market butchers are also known to save the best cuts for regulars, so it might be better to stick with one butcher if you’ve found a good one.

Poultry

Chicken:

Chilled and frozen chickens can be easily found everywhere in Hong Kong, but the true foodie knows that nothing can beat fresh birds in terms of flavour and texture. We’ve done our research and have compiled a list of our poultry picks commonly available at wet markets for various methods of cooking.

Ka Mei chicken (嘉美雞): Smooth, silky, tender meat, low in fat, high in collagen. Developed by the University of Hong Kong and the Kadoorie Agricultural Research Institute, and reared in Hong Kong without hormones, antibiotics, or harmful chemicals. Best for low-temperature cooking, eg. steaming, poaching, sous vide to maintain its silky tenderness.

Lung Kong chicken (龍崗雞): Generally larger than other breeds. High in fat, great for high-temperature cooking, eg. roasting or deep-frying, as the fats keep the meat moist.

Ching Yuen chicken (清遠雞): Smooth and tender meat. Robust and flavourful. Best for steaming and poaching or using in dishes where you’d want the chicken itself to shine.

Silkie chicken (烏雞): Black-skinned, sweet, flavourful. Believed to have medicinal properties. Often used in Chinese broths, best for making stock and soups.

Where to find fresh chicken in Hong Kong:

Sometimes you just really want chicken that tastes like, well, chicken. With an increasing number of stalls selling live chickens after the Avian flu ban, here’s where we go for some of the freshest birds in town:

Kowloon City Market, 102 Nga Tsin Wai Road, Kowloon City, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Lok Fu Market, Wang Tau Hom South Road, Wang Tau Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Fa Yuen Street Market, 123A Fa Yuen Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Nelson Street Wet Market, 5 Nelson Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Chun Yeung Street Market, 91-103 Chun Yeung Street, North Point, Hong Kong

Some usual phrases to keep in mind:
Free-range chicken: 走地雞
Locally-farmed chicken: 本地雞
Organic chicken: 有機雞
Chicken livers: 雞潤
Chicken gizzards: 雞腎
Chicken fat: 雞油
Hen: 雞乸
Rooster: 雞公
No head: 走頭
No neck: 走頸
No butt: 走屁股

Eggs:

We’ve fallen in love with Hubei eggs (湖北蛋), which are free-range, intensely eggy and contain a deep amber yolk. These eggs can be pretty big in size, but smaller ones are generally more nutritious as they’re sourced from younger hens.

Beef

Beef isn’t as popular as pork or even chicken in wet markets, but if you’re looking for fresh, flavourful meat, you’ll still find a good selection of cuts. Again, cuts are quite different from Western ones, but if you’re looking for mince (牛肉碎) or brisket (牛腩), wet markets are still a great place to go.

Seafood

When to buy:

Seafood is usually cheaper and more abundant right after China’s fishing ban, a three-month ban on trawling to conserve local fish supplies and to protect the ecosystem. The ban usually begins in May and ends in mid-August, so summer months aren’t typically the best time to buy seafood.

How to buy:

Fish: Look for bright red gills, plump, clear eyes and shiny, glossy scales. Don’t be intimidated by the fishiness — really inspect the fish with your fingers as most wet market fishmongers don’t mind as long as you’re careful.

Shrimp and prawns: The freshest shrimps and prawns are definitely the ones that are still alive and swimming. If those aren’t available, find ones that are glossy and firm to the touch with heads that are not dark or dangling off the body.

Crabs: Choose ones that are still alive and kicking (literally!), as dead crabs tend to be mushy. Go for the ones that are bound by wet straw instead of other types of string, as straw doesn’t soak up as much water and won’t add to the weight from which the price is calculated.

Produce

By choosing local and seasonal fruit and vegetables over imports, you’re being easier on your wallet, while also cutting down on your carbon footprint. Check out our list of local specialities, organised according to the seasons:

Spring:

Sugar snap peas (蜜糖豆): Sweet and crunchy pods best served barely cooked to preserve their bite. Great raw with dips or stir-fried.

Snow peas (荷蘭豆): Much flatter than sugar snap peas but still good raw or stir-fried.

Carrots (紅蘿蔔): Not exactly a speciality and available all year round (though still at their peak in spring), we had to include carrots in our list because it’s important to go for the muddy, fat variety. They’re much sweeter and more intensely flavoured than the clean, skinny ones.

Summer:

Morning glory (通菜): Often found stir-fried in Thai cuisine, the morning glory (aka water spinach) holds sauces really well with its hollow stems and paper-thin leaves. These must be used as soon as possible as morning glory wilts easily once picked, and are absolutely delicious stir-fried over high heat with garlic, chillies, and fish sauce.

Melons are at their very best during the sweltering months of summer. Aside from the regular cucumbers and watermelons, here are a couple of local favourites:

Jade melon (翠玉瓜): The zucchini’s Chinese cousin. Jade melons are pretty similar to the zucchini in flavour and texture, but a bit denser, sweeter and not as watery. They are also very cheap when in season and lovely grilled, stir-fried, or made into zucchini (or jade melon?) noodles.

Winter melon (冬瓜): Despite the name, winter melons are at their peak in late summer. Considered a cooling food in TCM, winter melons are great for beating the summer heat. Peel it, dice it up and use it in broths for a cooling remedy.

Bitter melon (苦瓜): It’s an acquired taste, but this incredibly healthy melon does wonders for your gut. It’s also a staple of Okinawan cuisine, where it’s found in Chanpurū, a stir-fry of tofu, eggs, bean sprouts, pork, and of course, bitter melon.

Autumn:

Sweet potatoes (蕃薯): Wet markets are the best place to stock up on this super healthy, fibre-rich spud. Most stalls stock at least three different varieties of them, in all sorts of hues. Rich ambers, pastel yellows, striking violets — you name it, you’ll find it.

Pumpkin (南瓜): Chinese pumpkins are flatter than the orange variety you’re probably used to. They also have a dark-green skin but aren’t that different in flavour or texture.

Winter:

Choi sum (菜心): This quintessential Chinese vegetable needs no introduction. We love both the adorable baby choi sum shoots (菜心苗) for their tenderness and the regular-sized variety for their sweetness.

Gai lan (芥蘭): Also known as Chinese broccoli or Chinese kale, gai lan is slightly bitter with crunchy stems and are a great substitute for broccolini or broccoli rabe.

Pea shoots (豆苗): One of our favourite vegetables of all time, Chinese pea shoots are tiny bundles of mini leaves which leave an interestingly meaty aftertaste. Simply stir fry them with garlic or use the really tiny ones in place of microgreens.

Napa cabbage (黃芽白): The napa cabbage is at its peak during Chinese New Year, when it is so abundant that wet markets can sell one for as little as $5. Make your own kimchi with it or just use it in stir-fries. Also delicious blanched and served on its own.

Sassy Mama Tips:

Ask for a few stalks of scallions or a small handful of small red chillies if you’re buying vegetables already. Greengrocers are usually happy to include some with your purchase for free.
Interestingly, broccoli and round-headed cabbages tend to be cheaper in supermarkets.

Best Wet Markets in Hong Kong

Kowloon City Market

Kowloon City Market is Hong Kong’s biggest wet market, but it’s also one of the city’s most expensive ones as it mainly caters to the affluent residents of Yau Yat Chuen and Kowloon Tong. Despite the prices, groceries are of great quality, and you’ll also find a good range of fresh herbs and lettuce varieties for salads. Also, check out the Thai grocery stores on South Wall Road for southeast Asian ingredients like tamarind and fresh pandan leaves.

Kowloon City Market, 102 Nga Tsin Wai Road, Kowloon City, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Operating Hours: 6am to 8pm

Wan Chai Market

A short walk from Wan Chai MTR station, Wan Chai Market consists of a building at 258 Queen’s Road East and a vast sprawl of stalls on the neighbouring streets. We usually skip the building and head straight to the streets as we love the bustling vibe and huge selection at very reasonable prices.

Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen’s Road East and along Stone Nullah Lane, Tai Wo Street, Triangle Street, and Wan Chai Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Operating Hours: 6am to 8pm

Maritime Market (Tsing Yi Market)

This seafood haven boasts 150 stalls offering the freshest catches and other produce. There are also underwater-themed decorations, turning this marketplace into an attraction on its own.

Maritime Market, G/F, Cheung Fat Plaza, 6 Tam Kon Shan Road, Tsing Yi, Hong Kong
Operating Hours: 6am to 8pm

Hong Kong Market (Yat Tung)

This airconditioned Hong Kong wet market managed to keep its old Kowloon City elements following a revamp in 2016. Aside from fresh goods, you can also find local decor and cooked food.

Hong Kong Market, G/F, Yat Tung Shopping Centre, 8 Yat Tung Street, Tung Chung, Hong Kong
Operating Hours: 6am to 8pm

Tai Po Wet Market

A massive complex that serves Tai Po Hui and multiple nearby villages, this market houses our favourite frozen food grocer Leung Kau Kee. Ever crowded and chaotic, Leung Kau Kee boasts one of the city’s best selection of frozen U.S. steaks, French poussins, lamb racks and more, all at incredibly low prices. We’ve seen some of their items for sale at regular supermarkets for double or even triple the price, so you know you’re getting a good deal. You must also get their John and Jill’s New York cheesecakes, which are rich, cheesy, and pre-sliced into small portions.

Tai Po Wet Market, Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong
Operating hours: 6am to 8pm (market), 6am to 2am (cooked food centre)

Final Tips

Always visit the most popular stores as high turnover rates guarantee fresher groceries. Crowds are also a fair indicator of quality.
If you’re concerned about the language barrier, rest assured that most grocers have at least a basic command of English.
Bring your reusable bags or better yet, get your own foldable shopping cart to shop with ease.
Aim to go early for the freshest produce, usually before 11am.
But if you happen to arrive later in the day, then that’s the best time to haggle as some vendors won’t hesitate to sell off their remaining items at a discounted price.

Editor’s Note: The article “Your Guide To Wet Market Shopping In Hong Kong” was originally written by Rachel Au and was most recently updated by Carmina Jariel in November 2024.

The post A Guide To Wet Markets In Hong Kong For The Clueless Shopper appeared first on Sassy Mama.

Finest Butcher Shops In Hong Kong For Fresh Meat, Steak, Lamb And More

Sassy Mama — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 22:00:40 +0000

Need a quality butcher in Hong Kong? From Feather & Bone to Steak King, these Hong Kong butchers can source everything from premium hanger steaks, tenderloins and dry-aged specialities or simply stock your fridge with sausages, mince, lamb chops and more.

There’s an abundance of butchers for every budget in Hong Kong, and for ever need too whether it be organic, halal or kosher! No matter what your preference, you are sure to find meat retailers and grocery stores that stock beef, pork, lamb and even more exotic and unusual meats, along with fish and other seafood. Whether you are looking for the freshest chops or prefer something that’s dry-aged, cured and smoked, you’re sure to find something that makes the cut.

Bones & Blades — Butcher specialising in sustainable meat in Hong Kong

The go-to butcher for “conscious carnivores”, Bones & Blades has butcher shops in Sai Kung, Sai Ying Pun, Discovery Bay and Yuen Long. If shopping for steaks (or foods of any kind!) works up your appetite, the butcher’s restaurant Quarter Master is just next door and serves up succulent steaks and burgers. Bones & Blades certainly does it all offering quality pet food as well as home and party catering.

Bones & Blades, various locations across Hong Kong, WhatsApp: 5200 3950, www.bonesandblades.com

Biltong Chief – South African-based butcher delivering quality meat and deli products

Selling high-quality meat and seafood at great value, Biltong Chief is a trusted online butcher with friendly customer service. Here you’ll find top-notch cuts of beef, lamb, pork, poultry, sausages and more.

Biltong Chief, WhatsApp: 5696 9184, www.biltongchief.com

Farmer’s Market — Hong Kong butcher stocking restaurant-quality meat

This online butcher prides itself on stocking a range of 100% traceable, hormone and antibiotic-free meat and seafood. The beef is all grass-fed, the chicken free-range and the salmon sustainably farmed, all in Australia.

Farmer’s Market, 9556 0070, www.farmersmarket.com.hk

Feather & Bone — Well-stocked butcher with convenient locations across Hong Kong

This butcher and gourmet delicatessen has an impressive selection of meats, roasts and premium butcher cuts – think hanger steaks, dry-aged ribeye, grass-fed tenderloin and more. There’s even a free dry-ageing facility for customers purchasing large pieces of premium beef (then have the butcher cut your steak to order!).

Feather & Bone, various locations across Hong Kong, www.featherandbone.com.hk

HENRY — High-end butcher at Rosewood Hong Kong

Fans of this Rosewood Hong Kong restaurant can bring those meaty flavours home! Treat your family to prime-cut American dry-aged beef or HENRY’s famous Beer Can Chicken or Baby Back Ribs. Plus, you can also pick up gourmet sauces, charcuterie, wines and more.

HENRY, Bayfare Social, 5/F, Rosewood Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 3891 8888, www.rosewoodhkshop.com

meatmarket.hk — Good value seasonal meat and produce

Want the easy convenience of getting butcher-grade meat and ingredients delivered straight to your door? Head to meatmarket.hk for some of the best quality products from reputable and sustainable producers from Australia and around the world. With a constantly updated range of seasonal meat, seafood, vegetables and value-added products, cooking at home will be a breeze.

meatmarket.hk, WhatsApp: 2882 6398, www.meatmarket.com.hk

My Meat Man — Quality fresh and frozen meat and seafood

Shop a range of beef, chicken, lamb, pork, seafood and even plant-based meat substitutes from My Meat Man. All the producers adhere to the strict Meat Standards Australia so you can be assured of quality and consistency in all its products.

My Meat Man, 2554 5553, WhatsApp: 9323 2021, www.mymeatman.com

Steak King – Online and in-person butcher for quality meat cuts

Steak King (formerly Argyle Butchers) is an online butcher where you can stock up on all your beef, lamb, poultry, seafood and gourmet items, but if you’d prefer to choose your cuts in person there are butcher’s shops popping up all over Hong Kong.

Steak King, various locations across Hong Kong, 9095 1817, www.steak-king.com

More Butchers And Online Meat Delivery In Hong Kong

Eat The Kiwi — Farm fresh New Zealand beef, chicken, lamb, sausages, seafood and more. www.store.eatthekiwi.com
Aussie Meat – BBQ meat packs, hormone-free poultry, halal meat and more. www.aussiemeat.hk
Artisan Butcher — Sai Ying Pun neighbourhood butcher shop. www.facebook.com/artisanbutcherhk
Chef’s Market — Huge butcher and delicatessen in Central Market. www.chefs-market.com.hk
Pacific Gourmet – Shop from this online butcher and delicatessen. www.pacificgourmet.com.hk
Jett – Shop here for quality premium meat and seafood at reasonable prices. www.jettfoods.com
Wet Markets – No Hong Kong butcher’s guide would be complete without a mention of the city’s famous wet markets. Here’s a quick guide to shopping at a wet market, where you can pick up a large variety of meat and seafood from local Hong Kong butchers.

Editor’s Note: “Finest Butcher Shops In Hong Kong For Meat, Steak, Lamb And More” was most recently updated in November 2024 by Sassy Mama. Special thanks to Keeley-Dee and Jess Mizzi for their contribution.

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Baking And Cooking Classes For Kids In Hong Kong

Sassy Mama — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 22:00:09 +0000

Get ready to cook up a storm!

Got a kid that can’t stay away from the kitchen when you’re cooking or baking? Preparing and enjoying food is an innate part of what makes us human. By encouraging kids in the kitchen, we can help create a healthy lifestyle and a balanced approach to food as children get older. Thankfully, it’s easy to nurture your child’s interest by getting them involved in one of the many classes offered for kids here in Hong Kong. From fun meals to fancy cakes, Sassy Mama has rounded up the best cooking and baking classes for kids.

Kids’ Cooking Hub — Cooking class with storytelling

The Kids’ Cooking Hub aims to help give kids the culinary skills and knowledge to create great food independently. Kids’ Cooking Hub offers a wide variety of sweet and savoury classes and recipes for kids aged 4 to 12 years. One of its signature classes is called Story Snack in which kids can make a recipe from a selection of great children’s books. The story is read and performed with the kids and then they have the chance to make a dish inspired by the story.

Kids’ Cooking Hub, Unit 607, Welland Building, 368 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, 5548 0180, info@kidscookinghub.com, www.kidscookinghub.com

The Mixing Bowl — Baking and cooking class for junior chefs

Founded by two passionate bakers, The Mixing Bowl offers a ton of baking and cooking classes for both adults and kids. The Junior Baker Club is perfect for kids aged 6 to 12 years and teaches kids how to make both meals and sweet treats such as pan-fried gyozas, ham and cheese tiger bread, S’mores brownies, lasagna, and more. Class sizes are kept small with fewer than eight in a group. You can try one class by itself or buy a bundle at a discounted price.

Mixing Bowl, 23/F, The Pemberton, 22-26 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, 2524 0001, info@themixingbowlhk.com, www.themixingbowlhk.com

Bake Your Own – Fully equipped kitchen with staff to help you bake

Think of this as a massive upgrade from your kids’ play kitchenette to a real-life bakehouse that’s fully equipped with ovens, stand-mixers, whisks and everything you and the kids need! At Bake Your Own, you can book the entire venue for parties or drop by for a bake-off with the kids – all the ingredients will be available on the spot and the staff will be present to lend a hand, so just bring yourself! From egg tarts to Basque burnt cheesecakes, tarts and more, choose what you’d like to bake from the menu beforehand.

Bake Your Own, Shop B126-30, Mira Place 1, 132 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2382 3831

Bake Your Own, Unit 1405, Gala Place, 56 Dundas Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 3460 3475, Instagram: @bake.your.own, www.bakeyourownhk.com

ABC Cooking — Kiddie-themed dishes

ABC Cooking Studio started up in Japan in 1985 and now has locations all over Asia. ABC Cooking Studio offers lessons in cooking, breadmaking, cake baking and wagashi (a traditional Japanese sweet). There are also kids’ courses that are suitable for 4 to 8-year-olds and are designed to help teach children the fundamentals of cooking and inspire a healthy and lifelong passion for food. Kids will learn how to make creative and kid-themed dishes like a pirate hamburger plate or cute dog bento. Watch out as they will open a brand-new studio at Hysan Place in 2025!

ABC Cooking, 500 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, 9178 3922,
www.abc-cooking.com.hk

Complete Deelite — 3D cakes and other visually appealing sweets

Jacinta Yu took her passion for cakes and started Complete Deelite to teach others about this wonderful art. Complete Deelite offers kids’ workshops in which they can learn how to make unicorn cupcakes, cookies, Krispie treats, 3D animal cakes and emoji pinata bombs. The classes range from 6 to 12 years. Regular holiday camps also take place if you’ve got an extra keen baker.

Complete Deelite, 2/F On Lan Centre, 11-15 On Lan Street, Central, Hong Kong, 3167 7022, www.completedeelite.com

Towngas Cooking Centre — Focuses on eating wholesome unprocessed food

The Towngas Cooking Centre offers a variety of cooking and baking courses for both kids and adults. With the kids’ programme, its main focus is to get children to appreciate and eat wholesome unprocessed food. Participants learn how to make cartoon-inspired bento boxes. The course is appropriate for children aged 6 to 12 years.

Towngas Cooking Centre, 9A Lee Theatre, 99 Percival Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, 2576 1535, towngas.cooking@towngas.com, www.towngascooking.com

Spring — Workshop for kids as young as 18 months

It’s never too early to get your kid in the kitchen. At Spring, kids as young as 18 months can help to create a meal. Spring wants children to have the knowledge, skills, and passion for food so that they can take care of themselves as they get older. Good table etiquette is also taught to the kids.

Spring, 3/F, Centre Point, 181-185 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 3465 5000, enquiry@spring-learning.com.hk, www.spring-learning.com.hk

BiteUnite — Pizza-making workshop from scratch

BiteUnite is a co-working kitchen that also offers cooking and baking courses. Its kid course teaches kids how to make their own pizza, cupcakes and tiramisu from scratch, allowing kids to use their creativity to put together something delicious. Outside of the class, you can also book the space for a cooking party or get together.

BiteUnite, G/F, 15 Lung On Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2366 3231, www.biteunite.com

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in May 2017 by Stephanie and updated by Carmina Jariel in November 2024. With thanks to Lucia Lau and Danielle Roberts for their contribution.

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How To Introduce New Flavours And Textures To Toddlers

Divya Butani — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 22:00:13 +0000

Does your little one demand the same fare of bland, blanched food for every meal? We ask private chef, Divya Butani, aka The Veggie Wifey, about how to develop more adventurous eaters.

As a mother of young and particular eaters, I know the struggle of trying to introduce new foods into their diet. After many failed pitches to my toddlers, here are a few tried and tested ways you can introduce new flavours and textures to support your child towards a wholesome nutritious diet.

Introducing Kids To New Flavours & Textures: Communicate

Whenever my kids and I have a quiet moment together, I like to talk to them about their interests and things they dislike. It’s my way of creating that safe space to let them share their perspectives and opinions. Sometimes, I navigate this conversation to talk to them about food and healthy eating. With an abundance of convenient food options we have today, short conversations like this can plant the seed of self-reflection in our kids, and help them think about their choices. Moreover, if I am introducing a new dish that evening, the open communication we have helps prepare them for the change rather than surprise them.

Introducing Kids To New Flavours & Textures: Use different colours and shapes

Cultivating your child’s curiosity will decrease their reluctance to try new foods. One of the ways I do this is by creating a simple storyboard with the food – Dal or lentils can be likened to pebbles, while broccoli can be trees. I also try cutting food in different shapes using cookie cutters, and adding different natural colours using mango, spinach or beetroot water to whole grains to increase the nutritional value and flavour. These small changes help familiarise children with colour on their plate. It also makes mealtime an activity to free a child’s imagination rather than a chore they have to complete before they can go play.

Introducing Kids To New Flavours & Textures: Mask The Veggies

If your toddler is very particular about adding anything colourful to their plate, try blending the veggies together, and adding it as a sauce alongside something they love. It may be cheeky, but it is truly for their benefit. Once they get the hang of the taste, they can then attempt to eat the full form of the veggie over time. Blending the veggies together can work for things like pasta sauces, curries, soups, stews and dals.

Introducing Kids To New Flavours & Textures: Be Mindful Of Their Habits

Most kid-friendly restaurants in Hong Kong have children’s menus with the standard mac’n cheese, French fries, spaghetti Bolognese, Margherita pizza and a side of bland, steamed veggies. To drink, it’s often boxed apple juice that is concentrated and with a lot of added sugar. It’s fair to say, the nutritional value of children’s menus in Hong Kong is low. It’s rare to have children’s menus that play with a rainbow variety of fresh veggies in exciting ways that can provide an abundance of nutritional benefits for a growing child. If a child is consistently exposed to a limited range of nutritional food, their preferences will adapt accordingly. Once we become more mindful of what we expose our children to, we can make positive changes to their diet and lifestyle going forward.

Introducing Kids To New Flavours & Textures: Create Variety

Having the same meal every day can exhaust the kids from looking forward to mealtime. Using a menu plan to rotate different dishes around the week and expose your toddlers to new foods is helpful in maintaining their excitement. It does not have to be anything fancy, but a small change on their plate can help trigger some excitement or curiosity. On very busy days, a hack is to use toddler plates with dividers and add small amounts of different foods in each section. This creates variety through different flavours, colours and textures on their plate. I usually add a wholegrain, veggie, protein, fat or dairy and something that is naturally sweet or low-GI.

Introducing Kids To New Flavours & Textures: Eat With Them

When I make it a point to eat together with my kids, I try to cook the same meal for myself or something that looks similar. This way my kids can learn to explore different foods by example. Often we isolate our children’s diet by creating something that looks and tastes different from what we would usually like. Incorporating their diet with ours not only empowers them, but also significantly reduces cooking time.

Recipe To Introduce New Flavours & Textures: White Sauce Pasta (With Hidden Veggies)

Ready to try a yum recipe for your toddlers? Try this white sauce pasta recipe with hidden vegetables. What you will love (and your kids will too!) is the rainbow coloured pasta that’s packed with nutrients from different vegetables like beetroot, purple cabbage, carrot, and pumpkin. And to up the goodness of this recipe, I’ve added some puréed veggies to make this white sauce a ‘stealthy’ healthy one. Try this recipe with the kids and enjoy eating it with them!

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