Chuen Moon Kee Restaurant 銓滿記餐廳小廚

A DJ's recommendation brought me to try Chuen Moon Kee 銓滿記. It has been 12 days since crowds blocking a few key districts in Hong Kong.  Schools closed, heavy traffic jam, suspension and rerouting of various buses, plus significant reduction of patronage to restaurants and shops.  Students insist the Chinese Government to withdraw the election mechanism.  No one knows how long the  barricades will last.   The Chinese Government won't surrender.  No winner but losers.

The DJ went to Mongkok to support the local business.  He bought a watch and had dinner in the district.  He mentioned that the restaurant was located at Reclamation Street, just opposite to Langham Place.  I searched it at Open Rice and could easily get it.  Chuen Moon Kee is a typical Cha Chan Teng (‘Hong Kong-style teahouse’) but serves special dishes, e.g. Kale in ice water, spiral shell, abalone, razon clams, shark fin soup and clay pot rice. They are served as a set for two people. The cost was below HK$300.  Wow, a good deal!  And as a coincidence, Ruby and I would have a dinner appointment the next day in Mongkok or Yaumatei.  Bingo! Let's go!

Without second thought we ordered the seafood and clay pot rice set, HK$268 with all dishes described in the last paragraph.    Let's start.

Ice Kale with soy and wasabi

The kale was crisp.  Be careful of the wasabi.   Too excited and I was coughing much after the first piece.  Those after were eaten just with soy.

Spicy Spiral Shell

 The spiral shell was fresh and not too spicy.  Texture was very nice.

Razor Shell and Abalone

Razor shell steamed with garlic and vermicelli.  Abalone was cooked with mandarin zest.  Both were bouncy and fresh. Excellent!

Shark's fin

I forgot the cruelty of eating shark's fin.  But once for a while should be OK.   Four small pieces of genuine shark's fin.  The soup was cooked in advance and microwaved upon order.  The taste was fine.

We loved the clay pot rice.  It's outstanding!  Very delicious duck sausage.  Full of fragrance!  The pork rib was tender and juicy.   The rice can be divided piece by piece.  Our waiter was very patient to serve our rice.  Then he pressed the burnt rice 飯焦 towards the pot bottom and edge.  After some time, he returned to invert the burnt rice 飯焦, added sugar and soy to serve us again.  It's very special.  The waiter's friendliness and professional manner were much appreciated.   Friendliness was not only from one waiter but the other serving staff and the owner.  

If you come alone, just go for its popular dish - claypot rice 煲仔飯.   The basic set cost HK$66 with two choices of food (usually meat), soup and vegetable.  Excellent value for money!  If you come two or more people, you can try their many dishes.  They looked great on other tables.  And, portion was huge.