Ad Category Above Title [D:1440×400 M:1440×400]

gafencu Shop

gafencu  app

Ad Category Sidebar [D:300×300 M:300×300]

Ad Video Category Above Title

As Asia’s World City, Hong Kong welcomes food from all over the world with arms wide open. But Vietnam’s home pride, street food, sometimes seems to sit at odds with the higher echelons of Hong Kong. However, newly-opened Madam Saigon in Tsim Sha Tsui is serving up gorgeous modern interpretations of classic casual Vietnamese dishes which are perfect for a low-key business lunch or a relaxed dinner.&nbsp;
<figure id="attachment_40646" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-40646" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-40646 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/1-9.jpg" alt="Madam Saigon " width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/1-9.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/1-9-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/1-9-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/1-9-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/1-9-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/1-9-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/1-9-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-40646" class="wp-caption-text">Colourful interiors at Madam Saigon</figcaption></figure>
Hong Kong-based chef Ken Lam brings high-quality ingredients, superior cooking techniques and a few choice global influences to his Vietnamese menu to elevate Viet cuisine from fine to ‘fine dining’.&nbsp;Lam has an uncanny skill for knowing when to swap out the traditional elements for higher quality ones, such as replacing freshwater prawns with their sea-faring cousins, and going straight to the source for fresher flavours. The restaurant imports unique ingredients such as baby lotus roots, rice paper wrappers and Phu Quoc peppercorns directly from Vietnam to be prepared in-house.
<figure id="attachment_40647" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-40647" style="width: 466px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-40647 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2-11-e1542166210196.jpg" alt="Madam Saigon" width="466" height="700" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2-11-e1542166210196.jpg 466w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2-11-e1542166210196-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2-11-e1542166210196-186x280.jpg 186w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2-11-e1542166210196-120x180.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2-11-e1542166210196-400x601.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-40647" class="wp-caption-text">Ken Lam, Head Chef at Madam Saigon</figcaption></figure>
Instead of the naff raffia and dried palm leaves which usually bedeck street-food restaurants, Madam Saigon opts for a balance of classy, shiny black furniture and lifts the atmosphere with one stunning illustrated mural and another of brightly decorated and textured Non La hats. Settle into the spacious dining area or, for a little more privacy, request one of the booth seats situated near the back of the restaurant.
<figure id="attachment_40649" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-40649" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-40649 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/4-6.jpg" alt="Madam Saigon" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/4-6.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/4-6-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/4-6-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/4-6-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/4-6-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/4-6-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/4-6-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-40649" class="wp-caption-text">Steamed Rice Flan with Minced Pork and Deep Fried Garlic</figcaption></figure>
If you’re looking to show off to your foodie friends or global gourmands, then opt for the&nbsp;Steamed Rice Flan with Minced Pork and Deep Fried Garlic. Even for long-time fans of Vietnamese food, this might be new to you as it hasn’t yet made its way over from the mother country. If you’re a fan of glutinous Cantonese dumplings or Japanese mochi, then these will hit the spot perfectly. Warm and sticky with a salty, savoury crunch. Also ideal for sharing are the Madam Saigon Deep Fried Spring Rolls. Here,&nbsp;Lam swaps out traditional spring roll wrappers for net wrapping and gives them an extra long cook in the deep fryer. The result is both moreish and audibly crunchy.
<figure id="attachment_40653" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-40653" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-40653 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/8.jpg" alt="Madam Saigon" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/8.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/8-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/8-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/8-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/8-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/8-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/8-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-40653" class="wp-caption-text">Shrimp with Mixed Fresh Fruit Rice Paper Rolls</figcaption></figure>
If you have an important client to impress, then perhaps order the Shrimp with Mixed Fresh Fruit Rice Paper Rolls and the Tom Yum Koong Soup with King Prawn. The rice rolls – an impressive visual display and balance of sweet and savoury flavours – tantalise the palate for an ideal amuse bouche, and the enormous majestic prawn with arching legs rising from its fragrant broth is a sensuous showstopper. Although not as spicy as traditional Thai seafood soups, the broth is a wider blend of sweet and sour flavours, with the slower burn allowing the flavour of the shrimp meat to shine.
<figure id="attachment_40650" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-40650" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-40650 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/5-2.jpg" alt="Madam Saigon" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/5-2.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/5-2-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/5-2-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/5-2-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/5-2-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/5-2-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/5-2-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-40650" class="wp-caption-text">Tom Yum Koong Soup with King Prawn</figcaption></figure>
Madam Saigon remains well aware that you&#8217;ll need something with which to wash this deliciousness down, and have partnered with Blooms Roastery and Craft Tea, the renowned coffee brand of actor Moses Chan, to bring authentic Vietnamese Filter Coffee to the table. If you’re not planning on returning to the office after lunch then the restaurant&#8217;s Director of Mixology, Match Chan, has an exquisite handcrafted cocktail menu which is not to be missed. Miss Guava, an exotic blend of sweet guava juice, agave nectar and white rum with sour lime juice and white vinegar, was our particular favourite. Delicious enough to merit another…and maybe even another.
<figure id="attachment_40651" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-40651" style="width: 466px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-40651 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/6-2-e1542166752690.jpg" alt="Madam Saigon" width="466" height="700" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/6-2-e1542166752690.jpg 466w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/6-2-e1542166752690-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/6-2-e1542166752690-186x280.jpg 186w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/6-2-e1542166752690-120x180.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/6-2-e1542166752690-400x601.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-40651" class="wp-caption-text">Miss Guava, an exotic blend of sweet guava juice, agave nectar and white rum</figcaption></figure>
Madam Saigon. Shop B131, B1/F, Mira Place 1, 132 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. 2808 4777.
Text: Alice Duncan

Madam Saigon: Vietnamese street food elevated to fine-dining cuisine

The moment you enter Big Sur, you’d be forgiven if you thought you had accidentally landed in a barbecue joint right in the middle of sunny California! From its blue and blonde timber interiors to the signature Californian bear head sculpture at the entrance, Big Sur resembles a traditional Californian diner even before you take a look at the menu!
<figure id="attachment_32644" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-32644" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-32644" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Big-Sur-offers-14-different-types-of-craft-beer.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Big-Sur-offers-14-different-types-of-craft-beer.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Big-Sur-offers-14-different-types-of-craft-beer-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Big-Sur-offers-14-different-types-of-craft-beer-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Big-Sur-offers-14-different-types-of-craft-beer-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Big-Sur-offers-14-different-types-of-craft-beer-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Big-Sur-offers-14-different-types-of-craft-beer-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Big-Sur-offers-14-different-types-of-craft-beer-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-32644" class="wp-caption-text">Big Sur offers 14 different types of craft beer</figcaption></figure>
What draws you in at this newly opened restobar at SoHo is not just its warm interiors, but also the rows and rows of beer taps – 15 to be exact – located strategically near the entrance! That’s right, Big Sur boasts 15 different taps that serve 14 rotating craft beers, created by Hong Kong’s Young Master Brewery, as well as a tap-served gin and tonic.
Look out for unusual brews like Orange is the New Black, a decadent limited-edition release with ‘roasty’ coffee notes and Fake Juice, a fruity IPA that’s perfect for spring.
If cocktails are your preferred poison, head to Big Sur’s cocktail section. You may be pleasantly surprised to find your favourite cocktails being given a healthy makeover with fair-trade craft spirits and fresh-pressed fruit juice. The only loophole? You may end up quite tipsy as these ‘guiltless’ tipples taste more like juice and less like alcohol, coaxing you to drink more than you otherwise would! We speak from experience…
<figure id="attachment_32645" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-32645" style="width: 466px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-32645" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Mixed-BBQ-plate-at-Big-Sur.jpg" alt="" width="466" height="700" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Mixed-BBQ-plate-at-Big-Sur.jpg 466w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Mixed-BBQ-plate-at-Big-Sur-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Mixed-BBQ-plate-at-Big-Sur-186x280.jpg 186w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Mixed-BBQ-plate-at-Big-Sur-120x180.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Mixed-BBQ-plate-at-Big-Sur-400x601.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-32645" class="wp-caption-text">Big Sur&#8217;s mixed BBQ plate is soul-fulfilling</figcaption></figure>
To match the well-stocked bar, Big Sur offers a wholesome menu to boot. Executive Chef Conor Beach draws from his American heritage to plate up a contemporary barbecue cuisine in typical Cali style, with a healthy dose of Latino fare to match. We were particularly impressed by the Baja Taco (HK$50 each) and the Whole BBQ Fish (HK$290), which combined hearty and healthy in a sumptuous duet.
For the dessertarians in the house, we’d recommend the Texas ‘Sheet’ Stack Cake (HK$90), a wholly decadent affair in chocolate cake, dark chocolate glaze, pecans, walnuts and pistachios, topped with whipped cream.
<figure id="attachment_32646" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-32646" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-32646" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/700x466-4-2.jpg" alt="Big Sur" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/700x466-4-2.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/700x466-4-2-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/700x466-4-2-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/700x466-4-2-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/700x466-4-2-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/700x466-4-2-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/700x466-4-2-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-32646" class="wp-caption-text">Big Sur&#8217;s Texas ‘Sheet’ Stack Cake will get a nod of approval from the most discerning dessert lovers</figcaption></figure>
Oh, and did we mention that Big Sur doubles up as a breakfast and lunch destination for office-goers and the weekend crowd alike? In other words, whether you’re a morning person or a night owl, Big Sur’s doors are always open for you from 9am till late.
For reservations, call (852) 2529 3001 or click <a href="http://www.bigsur.com.hk">here.</a>
Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

Restaurant review: With wholesome Cali cuisine, Big Sur brings a slice of California to Central

cocktails with fresh juice

Fit for Purpose? Physical’s sudden demise spotlights a saturated gym sector in need of a work-over

What’s on? Things to do this November in Hong Kong

Mr & Ms Brightside: They’re doing just fine coming out of summer and entering winter

Rustic Roots: Every bite at Racines whispers the charm of the countryside and the future of French cuisine

Mind of Ming: EF’s Chief Culture Officer Ming Chen shares her vision for education as an instigator of global/world harmony

Tag: cocktails with fresh juice

Blog Section

Madam Saigon: Vietnamese street food elevated to fine-dining cuisine

Restaurant review: With wholesome Cali cuisine, Big Sur brings a slice of California to Central