Dim sum, brunch, ‘a sinful treat’: where a food lover eats in Hong Kong and abroad

Food marketing veteran Catherine Yuen is the director of sales and marketing for Cafe Deco Group. She spoke to Andrew Sun.

My parents ran a cha chaan teng in Hong Kong for many years called Golden Horse Cafe, so I grew up in a very grass-roots food-related world. However, since my dad loves cooking, he always prepared meals for us when he was free. I remember my favourite dish was his sweet and sour chicken.Catherine Yuen of Cafe Deco Group reveals her favourite Hong Kong restaurants. Photo: Catherine Yuen

Now, I love all kinds of foods. I love a dim sum lunch, and my favourite places are Chinesology (Shop 3101-07, IFC Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central. Tel: 6809 2299) and Cuisine Cuisine (3/F, The Mira Hong Kong, 118 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Tel: 2315 5222). Both are very creative and special.

Prawns in XO sauce at Cuisine Cuisine in The Mira Hong Kong. Photo: courtesy of Cuisine Cuisine, The Mira Hong KongThe best dinner choice for me is definitely Sabatini Ristorante Italiano (Shop 4008, IFC Mall. Tel: 2610 0080), where you can enjoy one of the best views of Victoria Harbour in town. The Italian cuisine is more than decent and never disappoints me.

My pick for a weekend brunch is at Watermark (Shop L, Central Ferry Pier No 7, Central. Tel: 2167 7251), which I admit is part of the Cafe Deco Group. It serves a brunch with unlimited appetisers plus a main course of your choice. For me, the location is a pretty nice place to hang out with friends over a relaxing weekend.

I would take a new visitor to some local Hong Kong-style cafes. My recent top pick is Ladies’ Street Sik Faan Co (Shop A, B/F, The Pinnacle, 8 Minden Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui. Tel: 2388 6111). There are two locations, but the Tsim Sha Tsui one is my preference. It is not too expensive, and you can enjoy the experience of local Cantonese food in a decent venue.

Claypot rice from Ladies’ Street Sik Faan Co. Photo: Instagram/nicolejoo

I recently went to Tsuen Wan for late-night snacks, and I was pretty surprised at the variety they offer there. The Lo Tak Court area is where to go. It is full of affordable stalls, and the fun continues around midnight.