tkscooks

One of the coolest things I ever saw done with wild rice, well, it was red rice actually, but I suppose that it could work with wild rice as well, was cooking it using the risotto method and then finishing it with a lychee syrup and then adding diced duck confit with a puree of what was in the confit mix (preserved kumquats, ginger, onion). This is pretty specific, but there is certainly lots of room for variations... I loved the stuff, the result was a toothsome, sweet, salty and savory balance of flavors. In retrospect I'm a little surprised that the rice didn't get totally smashed up in the cooking process, but it didn't, I think that it may have been finished in a steamer in order to not have to stir it quite so much as you would if you were really going to do it risotto style. Cool thread, wild, whole grain, brown, red, black, etc. rice is so tasty (and healthy), this is a nice chance to expand our repertoires!

I just got back from a semester/stage abroad in Hong Kong, and coincidentally am now doing the same thing in The Netherlands. Anyways, as a poor student I ate a lot of street food and noodles. I would say that the best place to go looking for street food is between the Mong Kok and Jordan MTR stations (get your octopus card as soon as you get to HK as it enables you to do everything from ride busses, trams, the MTR and even make purchases in 7/11) on Temple street. Temple street is the home of the night market, street food is everywhere and the street is lined with small restaurants that probably have what you want. My first off-campus meal was on this street and it took about five minutes until we saw the tanks of living seafood and shellfish and decided that we had to eat there. It was a great meal. If you are into doing some walking then I would suggest getting out at the Mong Kok MTR station, get on Portland Rd, or the other side of the tracks and get on Ladies St (Tung Choi St.) which is an open air clothing market, and walk south past the Yau Mau Tei station, around there Portland Rd leads turns into Temple St and you will then be in the heart of the night market and can absolutely get your fill of street food. Keep walking until you get to the Jordan MTR station and then head to TST (tsimshatsui) or LKF (lan kwai fong) for a night out on the town. Mathewr recommended Tim Ho Wan, it's probably the most inexpensive michelin starred restaurant in the world and is incredible. Phenomenal dim sum and so cheap! Hzrt8w recommended Maxims in Central for Dim Sum, that is a great "traditional" dim sum place, big, bustling, bright, but Tim Ho Wan has really great dim sum in what is more reminiscent of a tiny diner of cafe. But get there early because there are no reservations and they hand out numbers on a first-come, first-serve basis, so show up early and order (at least) one of everything. They are known for their char siu bao (steamed pork buns), and rightfully so, they have a delicious, sweet and crispy outside to the pillowy and porky inside... get a few orders. Also, just next-doorish is a place that sells great shaved ice. Really really tasty and beautiful. If you're into dumplings (and you should be) then go to Tin Hau and right across the street from the MTR exit (the one that exits on Kings Road) there is an excellent (cheap) dumpling place. I'm sure there are others like this, but a friend of mine lived in Tin Hau so we always went here. There is also a very good japanese place in that neighborhood that has a great lunch special. If you are interested I can contact my friend to find out exactly where it is. There is also a great (cheap) noodle place in Mong Kok, right on ladies street, I think something like 78 Tung Choi st... but not positive. Also, if you want to pick up anything kitchen related (maybe a new wok for the home) go to Shanghai Street from the Yau Ma Tei MTR station. I loved that place, just store after store offering things for home kitchens to professional kitchens. And this list of recommendations wouldn't be complete without me plugging the location of my stage, Bo Innovation. It is expensive, but I would say that it is absolutely worth it. I got to get the chefs tasting for dinner and it was epic and delicious. They do some really good lunch deals and offer some cool dim sum variations. It is in Wan Chai (go there for their wet market too, also good bar scene). Thanks for giving me the chance to reminisce about my time in HK, it is an incredible city with great food, great outdoors and great people, I look forward to going back.