FOOD & FESTIVITIES IN THE 852
Jessica Tryde- Local Fitness Nut
“I’m dreaming of a…” wait – it’s never going to be a White Christmas in Hong Kong, is it.
Don’t fret! Although I’m 99.99% sure it’s not going snow this Christmas, it doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate a cold and wintery Christmas in the 852. From Christmas festivals to crowded ice skating rinks – you’ll have to give Hong Kong an A for effort for trying to inject a little Christmas spirit in the month of December.
Still not sure how you should be celebrating Christmas this December? We’ve got you covered with our exclusively-Hong Kong Festivity-Food Pairing! It’s the perfect fuse of local gourmet and festive events!
Let’s begin – This Christmas, are you in the mood for…
LOVE?
You’ve just met someone – but it’s not official. And you’d like to do something that can spark up a little firework. Why not an afternoon of ice skating in one of Hong Kong’s few ice-skating rinks followed by an evening of warming claypot rice? Ice-skating is the perfect icebreaker to make that subtle-but-not-really first move when you pretend to fall over and grab your partner’s hand.
perfect icebreaker to make that subtle-but-not-really first move when you pretend to fall over and grab your partner’s hand.
(Photo credit: https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3183/2679474367_f61221243a.jpg)
End the night over sizzling hot claypot! Claypot rice, or (煲仔飯 – bo jai fan) is a winter staple for the locals. From Chinese sausages to mushroom steamed chicken – cooked ingredients are served on top of the rice and placed into a stove until ready. Save the best for the last – so remember to scrape off the slightly browned and golden rice as the perfect finish to your one-pot-dinner.
Photo credit: http://food.ulifestyle.com.hk/imglib/image/articles_photo/7006125682062532642.jpg
I personally love: Sausage Claypot Rice (臘腸煲仔飯), Minced beef and sunny side up egg Claypot Rice (窩蛋免治牛肉煲仔飯)
Ice Skating Rinks:
Ice Palace – Cityplaza – 18 Taikoo Shing Rd, Taikoo Shing
www.icepalace.com.hk
Glacier – Festival Walk – 80 Tat Chee Ave, Kowloon Tong
www.glacier.com.hk
The Rink – Elements – 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon
www.rink.com.hk
Mega Ice – MegaBox – 38 Wang Chiu Rd, Kowloon Bay
www.megaice.com.hk
Bo Jai Fan:
Kwun Kee – Wo Yick Mansion, 263 Queen’s Road West, Sai Wan
Chuen Moon Kee Restaurant – G/F, Man Fok Building, 419 Reclamation Street, Mong Kok
Four Seasons – 46 – 58 Arthur Street, Yau Ma Tei
ADVENTURE?
You’re just a couple of friends who want to hang out – well you’re in luck! With a couple of public holidays and many locals off on Christmas vacation, the freedom is yours to explore Hong Kong! I’d kick off a day with a quick morning hike up Dragon’s Back and take in the brisk, cold air. Trust me – it’ll be a nice change from the usual summer’s hike up when you’re drenched in sweat!
photo credit: http://www.discoverhongkong.com/ca/images/see-do/tours-walks/large/1.6.1.6.3-Dragons-Back-Hike_03.jpg
As you end your hike, it’ll be about lunchtime – and what better way to “warm your blood” than indulging in Hong Kong comfort food? And by this, I mean snake soup.
photo credit: http://online.wsj.com/media/1005dish01_G_20101005004328.jpg
Hey – you’re feeling adventurous so why not give it a try? Snake soup is known for its alleged medicinal and nutritional benefits – especially “warming” for the winter season.
End the day at AIA THE GREAT EUROPEAN CARNIVAL! From thrilling rides and an outdoor ice rink to food and games – it’s the perfect way to conclude a day of fun and adventure. If you’re feeling a little over the top, then we recommend The Sparkling BVLGARI Roman Holiday, a sparkling attraction in Statue Square as a part of the Hong Kong WinterFest. You can even enjoy a cup of hot chocolate while you admire this magnificent Italian centerpiece.
Snake soup:
Se Wong Yee – 24 Percival St, Causeway Bay
Ser Wong Fun – G/F, 30 Cochrane Street
Snake King Hai – G/F Mei Fat Building, Tai wing Lane, Tai Po
AIA Carnival – Central Harbourfront Event Space
https://www.tgec.asia/
The Sparkling BVLGARI Roman Holiday – Statue Square, Central
https://www.discoverhongkong.com/in/see-do/events-festivals/highlight-events/winter-fest.jsp
Dragon’s Back – Shau Kei Wan Exit A3, take NWFB Bus #9 to To Tei Wan
https://hikehongkong.blogspot.hk/2012/11/hong-kong-trail-section-8-dragons-back.html
FUN?
You’re a family with children and want something fun and exciting do for the family. Head on over to Disneyland! Decked out in Christmas trees with glittering ornaments, throughout the month of December, Disneyland Hong Kong features a range of classic holiday flavors from around the globe. Disney characters will serenade the park with classic holiday songs – from Let it Snow to Santa Clause. But the magic only happens at night – when Sleeping Beauty’s castle lights up its grandeur along with the Christmas Illumination ceremony.
photo credit: http://www.image4world.com/vb/imgcache/2/19527poster.jpg
End the day huddled around a pot of delicious meatballs, beef strips and vegetables! That’s right – it’s hotpot time. You can choose your own broth – from clear pork bone soup to spicy Sichuan flavor – and order your favorite platters of raw and cooked food. I would say the more people you have, the merrier – this way, you can order as many dishes as you like without feeling guilty. So go ahead! You have permission to stuff your faces.
Photo credit: http://i.cdn.travel.cnn.com/sites/default/files/styles/inline_image_624x416/public/2010/10/04/Hotpot_Instinct_Inline.jpg_0.jpg?itok=AR4B4Bet
Hotpot:
Megan’s Kitchen – 5/F Lucky Centre, 165 – 171 Wan Chai Road
Little Sheep (Chain store) – Mongkok Commercial Centre, 16 Argyle Street, Mong Kok
Budaoweng Hotpot – Times Square, 1 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay
Disneyland Hong Kong:
https://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/tickets/
Jessica Tryde, born in Australia, bred in Taiwan, is a creative English copywriter living in Hong Kong. Her job includes whipping out creative ideas and digital executions. During her spare time, you’ll find her weight lifting in the gym, training for a gladiatorial bloodbath in a Muay Thai class or attempting to perform a yoga pose. If not working out, you’ll find her mingling with the locals at the wet market or reading at a local Hong Kong café.