My very first blog… I’m taking you to Hong Kong then back to London.

It’s all about street food.

Hong Kong

Take me to the other side of the world where Asian food is my option meaning, open your eyes Lottie, take it all in and taste away. Throwing me into the absolute craziness of traffic, masses of people and shopping that Hong Kong offers, a first hostel experience then finally a good friend shows me the way.  Can you imagine a first hostel experience being in Hong Kong. While organising a backpacking adventure for 6 months its rare the start would be in a very busy city but with a friend calling I thought it a nice way to start. Remembering as I set foot outside the tube station, absolutely swarming with people and high risers I found my way to the hostel and lovey it was. True Hong Kong style a very small efficient room with 9 bunks beds a small yet functional bathroom and storage. I remember thinking this isn't so bad at all. You get chatting to people and the hostel just becomes a place to research and lay your head a night. Little did I know this would be the smallest hostel room I stayed in for the entire 6 months. 

Having my friend Stanley was a joy as she showed me all the good places, not just just the tourism but the local places to eat. Don’t get me wrong seeing sights is obviously a huge part of the trip but food does tend to be the first thing on my mind and we surely ate our way through 3 days and 2 nights in Hong Kong.

Thank you Stanley x

A taste of perfection in Dim Sum ‘YUM’

……and a bit of morning glory. YES morning glory. I’m fairly sure most would read this and think ‘pardon’. It’s simple, it’s an Asian vegetable named morning glory. A kind of cross between Swiss chard/ broccoli flavour/ spinach – DELICIOUS! Mostly served with garlic and seasoning. Ate this daily. Yum!

Prawn and vegetable steamed dumplings. I know we have dim sum in England but tasting this real deal in Hong Kong whilst with my friend a true local, was just a different level. The delicacy in the dim sum. It’s as if they have added a set fish stock inside the dumpling so when you put this in your mouth warm it bursts over your tongue allowing the juices to surround your mouth whilst clamping your jaws around the textured filling. I could go on in detail about every piece of dim sum we ate but better you visit and try for yourself. There are of course many alternatives in London.

You surprise me

Something very small but thought to mention it. Horlicks! Horlicks is big in Hong Kong. Just reminds me of the advert here in UK ‘horliiccckkkssssss’

WARM drinking water. When we sit for a meal and ask for some water, Ive never experienced this warm. In Hong Kong every glass is warm as they believe that cold water shocks our organs as they are naturally warm. Seems a fair observation.

 Back to London …..

……For some street food dim sum.

I mentioned alternatives in London. When I returned from travelling street food was racing through my mind so I did some research and found streetfeastlondon.  Two Words ‘Hawker house’. BRILLIANT place. Trendy street food pop ups in a warehouse with pop up bars, trellis tables, cool people and obviously good food. There are a few of these around town now mostly sprig summer season but the are great place to socialise and enjoy simlpe food at its best with may alcohol providers too.

Easy to walk past this place so use google maps on your phone. Hackney road. Its £3 entry fee after 7pm. I’d recommend getting there early, chillaxing with some bevvies and slowly devouring all the yum food. Especially the yum buns!

YUM Buns… Try to refrain from being like me. Tried all 3 flavours then got 2 more of the Thai chicken ones (greedy) only to then walk round and try more and more. Pretty much left there feeling ready to pop or nap… both not ideal for a Friday night.

These yum buns are open dumplings with fillings inside such as pork belly, hoi sin spring onion cucumber or Thai coated chicken… this by far was the best for me. Different... Pork belly and hoi sin are flavours we all know. The chicken must be marinaded in milk as it just melts in your mouth, the crunch of the chicken with the flesh salad filling coats your mouth perfectly with just enough fresh chilli heat. YUM indeed.

Ive added the link for street feast London as there are 4 of these in town.

http://www.streetfeastlondon.com/where