Music entrepreneur names his go-to places to eat in city
Music entrepreneur and DJ Johnny Hiller is the music director at Melody – House of Food and Music (100 Third Street, Sai Ying Pun).
I have been into food since I was very young. I learned to cook at the age of eight out of necessity as my mum was bedridden.
One of my favourite things was watching both my grandmas in Germany and Hong Kong cook elaborate family meals, from Cantonese dishes to Europeanstyle roasts and stews.
Growing up multicultural, travelling in different Southeast Asian countries and living in Hong Kong, Beijing and London exposed me to a multitude of cuisines.
I tend to mostly stay local when it comes to dining. For me, that’s Sheung Wan. For a Japanese lunch, I like Sushi Masa (105 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan. Tel: 2886 9009).
A super local dim sum spot is Ka Ho Restaurant (UG/F, 328 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan. Tel: 2815 8133) which has that old-school vibe.
I visit Yung Kee (32-40 Wellington Street, Central. Tel: 2522 1624) and Din Tai Fung (four locations in Hong Kong including 68 Yee Woo Street, Causeway Bay. Tel: 3160 8998) for a slightly more refined experience. I like to take visitors and friends to these spots.
Another place I take visitors to Hong Kong is Peking Garden (various locations including Shop B1, Basement, Alexandra House, 16-20 Chater Road, Central. Tel: 2526 6456). I have been going there for over 30 years. The chefs know what they are doing.
I often return to Yardbird (G/F, 154-158 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan. Tel: 2547 9273) for its consistency and excellent service. Also, next door to Melody, Lucale (Shop A, 100 Third Street, Sai Ying Pun. Tel: 3611 1842) does an excellent brunch. The portions are incredibly generous and the Italian flavours are so authentic.
For late-night street food, I recommend Oi Man Sang (Shop B-C, 1 Shek Kip Mei Street, Sham Shui Po. Tel: 2393 9315) for its dai pai dong vibe.
For special occasions or splurges, I go to Mono (5/F, 18 On Lan Street, Central. WhatsApp: 9726 9301). Chef Ricardo Chaneton is Venezuelan and his Latin American tasting menus deliver every time.