A Unique Nepalese Culinary Experience in Hong Kong Through Sports Tourism
Nepalese Cuisine Encountered in Hong Kong
—Thinking about food culture from the 'hidden gems' of Lan Kwai Fong and SOHO
Living in Hong Kong, you have the opportunity to encounter cuisines from all over the world.
Today, among those, I would like to introduce 'Nepalese cuisine' along with the shops I visited in Lan Kwai Fong and SOHO.
What is Lan Kwai Fong? Its charm for first-timers
Lan Kwai Fong is one of the most famous areas in Central, Hong Kong Island, where Hong Kong's most popular bars and restaurants are gathered.
A 'lively social hub' where over 100 bars, clubs, and restaurants are packed into a small area.
It is an office district during the day on weekdays, but on weekend nights, it becomes a pedestrian paradise, turning into a social hub for business professionals filled with music and people.
It is an international space typical of Hong Kong, where people from all over the world gather for a drink after work or enjoy bar-hopping until late at night.
Right in the middle of this 'iconic Hong Kong dining area,' there is actually a 'hidden gem' of Nepalese cuisine.
Hidden Nepalese Cuisine @ Lan Kwai Fong
—A residential room turned into a private kitchen
There is a Nepalese restaurant inside a building facing the main street of Lan Kwai Fong.
It is a place you would never find on your own unless someone told you about it.
When you go up the elevator, it is a normal residential area.
One of the rooms has been turned into a 'private kitchen,' a system where only guests with reservations can enter.
What is served here is the representative Nepalese dish, 'Momo'.
What is Momo?
Momo is a dish like 'steamed dumplings' eaten in Nepal and the Tibetan region, where small, round-wrapped dumplings are steamed or sometimes eaten in soup.
Ingredients: Traditionally minced meat (chicken, pork, lamb, etc.) mixed with onions, green onions, and spices.
How to eat: It is common to eat them dipped in Achar (a spicy dip) or chutney.
Texture: Small, with a moderately thick skin, and the meat juices and spices spread in your mouth—imagine an 'Asian version of Xiao Long Bao + dumplings'.
The 'hidden Momo' in Lan Kwai Fong is truly a B-grade gourmet dish full of homemade feel.
The price is reasonable, but the taste is authentically professional, and it feels like 'this is the Nepalese food that locals eat every day'.
I think even among Japanese people living in Hong Kong, almost no one knows about this place.
Still, it is a 'hidden gem' that I would like you to visit at least once when you come to Hong Kong for tennis expeditions or sightseeing.
What is SOHO? A European-style area connected by escalators
Next, I would like to introduce 'Nepal Restaurant' in the SOHO area of Central.
Address:
Nepal Restaurant
G/F, 14 Staunton St, Central (SOHO area)
SOHO is a 'hillside dining area' extending from Central toward the mountains, and it has an atmosphere like a back alley in Europe.
The name comes from 'South of Hollywood Road,' and it is often described with an image similar to Soho in London, England.
Bars, cafes, and restaurants line the narrow slopes, there are many terrace seats, and at night, it is bustling with multinational customers, mainly Westerners.
An iconic presence that provides access to this area is the 'Central–Mid-Levels Escalator'.
What is the Central–Mid-Levels Escalator?
It is one of the world's longest outdoor escalator and moving walkway systems, connecting a total length of about 800m and an elevation difference of about 135m at once.
The operation switches from the mountain side down to Central in the morning, and from Central up to the mountain side from the afternoon onwards, making it a 'moving slope' that supports commuting and leisure.
SOHO's restaurants line the escalator, and a feature of this area is that you can get off midway and go straight into a bar or restaurant.
It is also the perfect location for a light meal with friends after tennis practice.
Momo and Chicken Dishes at Nepal Restaurant @ SOHO
At Nepal Restaurant, you should definitely order the Momo first.
Unlike the B-grade Nepalese food in Lan Kwai Fong, here you can enjoy a refined taste based on 'Nepalese royal cuisine'.
If you look at menus on sites like OpenRice, popular Nepalese dishes are lined up.
-
Chicken Dumpling Momo
An appetizer consisting of chicken-filled dumplings, served with traditional Nepalese sauce.
-
Tandoori Chicken / BBQ Sekuwa
A grilled dish of boneless chicken marinated in Nepalese spices and cooked over charcoal.
It is easy for Japanese people to relate to, with an image like 'Tandoori Chicken plus Nepalese spices,' and its appeal lies in its savory aroma and moderate spiciness.
There are many other menu items that suit the Japanese palate, such as butter-based curries (Butter Chicken Makhani), spiced lamb curry, and a stir-fry of spinach and cottage cheese (Spinach & Paneer Saute).
Due to its location,
Hong Kong locals
Western business people and travelers
expats from various Asian countries
and others, the clientele is very international.
When visiting Hong Kong for a tennis expedition, this is a restaurant where players, parents, and coaches can enjoy a meal while feeling the atmosphere of people from various countries gathering together.
Nepalese staff thriving in Hong Kong's high-end restaurants
As I mentioned in my previous blog, Nepalese staff are notably active in Hong Kong's high-end dining establishments.
(Click here for the previous article: https://note.com/winsports_vision/n/n832ecb66ed82 ) The background to this includes:
Fluency in English (essential in Hong Kong's international dining industry)
A cheerfulness and hospitality that rivals that of Filipino staff
Dexterity and a serious attitude toward work
and I often see many Nepalese people working in the heart of Hong Kong Island, such as in Central and Admiralty, as
restaurant staff
and bartenders.
I feel that what supports Hong Kong's dining scene is not just the power of Hong Kong locals, but the strength of a multinational staff that includes Nepalese people.
I want you to experience the 'culinary Hong Kong' during your tennis expedition too
Hong Kong is not only a base for tennis and sports expeditions and training participation, but also a place for:
cuisines from all over the world
and multinational people.
An international city where you can enjoy
the different atmosphere of each neighborhood.
Between tennis expeditions or study abroad trips with your children,
savor 'hidden gem Nepalese Momo' in Lan Kwai Fong.
Ride the escalators in SOHO and enjoy Nepalese royal cuisine.
I believe such a 'tennis + food culture experience' combination is a unique charm of Hong Kong.
Consultation regarding overseas expeditions and tennis study abroad
Please feel free to start with a free consultation regarding your child's overseas expedition or tennis study abroad.
As someone who knows the local area, I will answer directly according to each individual's situation.
▶ Apply for an initial online consultation (free, approx. 30 minutes)
📧 info.wsv@winsports.vision
🌐 https://www.winsports.info/
Please include 'Blog Consultation Request' in the subject line. I will reply within 2 business days.