The Market’s Hidden Asian Treasures
Discover some of the Market's lesser-known Asian dishes guaranteed to spice up your lunch.
There are two types of people… those who stick to their loyal regular lunch choices and those that want to try something new every single lunch break.
Great news if you fall into the latter category, the Market is packed with hidden treasures of Asian cuisine. Here’s a little guide to help you navigate the vast array of choices…
Tea Jelly – Jiaba
If you feel like something sweet or a light dessert after lunch, pop into Jiaba for one of their tea jelly treasures. These tiny clear boxes are filled with chilled jellied tea. Imagine eating gummy bears, but with the taste of a sweet oolong tea. Be warned, they are highly addictive.
Hong Kong Style Milk Tea – Pleasant Lady Trading
You might regularly visit Pleasant Lady for their Jian Bing pancakes, but have you fully explored the menu? If not, you may have missed their Yuenyeung (“ice coffee milk”). A drink you may have seen on travels to Hong Kong or Malaysia, it’s a traditional Hong Kong style milk tea, taken to a next level by adding coffee in it. If you’re ever in doubt about whether to order a coffee or tea after lunch, go to Pleasant Lady and get the two in one.
Soy Milk – Ricebrother
You may drink your coffee with soy milk or have a bottle or Alpro in your fridge, but Ricebrother’s freshly made version is on a while separate planet. This traditional Chinese drink does not taste anything like your usual soy milk, in a good way. The only problem? You may never be able to go back…
Salty Douhua – Ricebrother
Who said warm tofu pudding needs to be sweet? If you are a fan of Ricebrother’s douhua with osmanthus we strongly recommend you also try this traditional Chinese snack savoury – with pork, black fungus and shitake mushroom sauce. Want to know the pro secret upgrade? It pairs well with youtiao – the deep fried dough stick.
Aubergine Noodles – Fen Noodles
Fen Noodles may be new in the Market, but they already won the hearts of many. While you may think you’ve found your favourite dish on their men, let us tell you about a secret dish that is not on the menu. If you are fan of their aubergine side dish and you feel like eating more of it just ask to have it on noodles next time. Not only does it deliver a perfect flavour combination, it’s also a perfect vegetarian main dish.
Sesame Cakes – China Feng
China Feng, one of our favourite local Chinese restaurants, are bringing their magic to the Market later this month. If you thought the Market already has all the Chinese street food, China Feng will prove you wrong. Look forward to some fluffy steamed buns (no, not the same buns you know from Yum Bun) filled with red beans, baked sesame cakes with number of different savoury, spicy or sweet fillings, homemade sesame paste and Japanese-style Oden skewers.
Hong Kong bubble waffle – Nosteagia
If you’ve been in the Market lately, your head is bound to have been turned by people walking around with bubble waffles stacked high with ice cream, fruit, Oreos, cream and chocolate. You’ll now find this highly instagramable dessert here full time at Nosteagia, just opposite Jiaba in The Kitchens. We’re delighted to say these towering waffle creations are as good as they look – and they even have vegan options available.
Hand Pulled Lamb Noodles – Dumpling Shack
We all do it – queue at Dumpling Shack every lunch break with the intention of trying something new and then we end up ordering the pork and leak dumplings. Classic. Control yourself one day and order the hand pulled lamb noodles – Dumpling Shack’s afternoon special available after 3pm – and you will thank us. This stunning and filling dish is perfect for cold evenings.
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