“Just had my first hot pot feast at Peir 88 of Tau Heung chain in Hong Kong. It was nice, but I wish I knew a few things to make it even better. Check out my blog for some tips and tricks to max out your hot pot enjoyment!”
Indulging in hotpot, or as they call it “打邊爐” (Da Bin Lou) in Cantonese, is a common and beloved tradition in Hong Kong, especially when the chilly winds of late Winter sweep through. With a list of hotpot spots in mind, I found myself torn between Yau Gwat Hei Hotpot (有骨氣火煱專門店), known for its value-priced buffet, and Tao Heung Pier (Super) 88 (稻香超級漁港), the more elegant branch of Tau Heung Holdings (稻香集团). After gathering feedback and considering the centralized location, we opted for the latter.
Arriving on a bustling Friday night, a hungry crowd gathered at the entrance, but to our surprise, we were swiftly seated at a table upon arrival. Intrigued? I’ll spill the details later.
The hotpot adventure continued with an impressive array of soup base selections. Both the superior (HK$68/ S$12) and standard (HK$48/ S$8.50) options offered a variety to suit different tastes. They even had set menus where the chosen soup base came complimentary.
Opting for the ‘Yuan Yang’ soup base, a delightful duo of Coriander and century egg soup (rich with corianders and century eggs, boasting a pleasant natural sweetness) and Satay broth (though slightly diluted, it gained flavor as we cooked various ingredients).
Personal picks:
– Coriander and century egg soup (皮蛋芫荽汤底) *My favorite
– Satay soup *Improved in flavor as we cooked more items
– Superior soup – Drunken chicken soup with generous chicken pieces *Restaurant recommendation
A heads-up: If you need a soup refill, don’t be surprised if they pour in hot plain water instead of the actual soup. It’s a common practice in most hotpot joints.
Exploring premium hotpot options led us to skip the set menus and instead, we delved into individual choices. For a touch of sophistication, I opted for a plate of live fish slices, a pricier delight at HK$128 (S$23) compared to the regular fish slices at HK$30 (S$5.50).
However, a must-try for me was the sashimi Geoduck, those giant clams with flesh protruding like a tiny elephant trunk. Reminiscing about my first taste in Hong Kong, I couldn’t resist ordering it again. Priced at HK$148 (S$26) per serving, the sashimi geoduck was incredibly fresh, perfect for enjoying either raw or gently blanched in the hotpot for a few seconds.
My recommendations:
Geo duck sashimi (象拔蚌刺身) *See pic on top
Live fish slices (活鱼起片) *See pic on right
Deli-thin Angus beef slices (安格斯肥牛) – *Although we passed on beef, it caught our eye that many fellow diners were indulging in this hotpot favorite.
Opting for à la carte instead of sets, our order was a delightful mix.
From prawns and clams to Osmanthus mussels, dumplings, wonton noodles, vegetables, yam, and a variety of balls – fish balls, prawn balls, handmade minced pork meat balls, large pork meat balls, squid balls, chicken balls, and more (I admit, I got a bit carried away with the tempting menu pictures).
Each item came in generous servings of 12 pieces, making it a great value for money ranging from HK$28 to $40 (S$5.50 to $8) per dish. Perfect for sharing if you have a larger group.
The temptation to order everything on the menu is real, but a standout recommendation would be the Osmanthus mussels (桂花蚌). Surprisingly not a mussel nor related to any clams, Osmanthus mussels are actually the internal organ of sea cucumbers (海参). Despite their unusual origin, they don’t have any off-putting smell and taste remarkably crunchy with a delightful natural sweetness after a quick dip in the boiling soup. Visually appealing and reportedly packed with nutritional value, these Osmanthus mussels are a must-try.
My recommendation:
Osmanthus mussels (桂花蚌), the adorable crooked shrimps, wantons, handmade minced pork meat balls, Special House Udon, and beef slices based on research – sounds like a delightful spread. Enjoy your hotpot feast!
Compulsory charge for condiments – A tray of 8 different condiments served, try it all:
Hotpot in Hong Kong is a blast, especially with the array of dipping sauces and garnishes. The tray offered 8 types to choose from, with an additional charge of HK$8 (S$1.50) per person. However, a bit of a hiccup as the staff hurriedly removed the tray before we finished, leading to constant requests for more. Oddly, this wasn’t the norm, as many tables seemed to have their trays permanently stationed. A little puzzling, but it didn’t dampen the hotpot fun.
Overordering can happen to the best of us! It’s uncertain whether it was my enthusiasm or the service crew’s oversight that led to the excessive feast on our table. Normally adept at ordering just the right amount, this time I went a bit overboard. The portions served were huge, easily catering to 6-8 diners, and our table for two was overflowing with hotpot ingredients. It would have been helpful if the staff had given a heads-up or offered some guidance when the order seemed out of proportion. A lesson learned for the next hotpot adventure!
Ah, the mystery of the entrance crowd revealed! The reason we smoothly strolled in at 8:50 pm was the late-night discount for dining after 9 pm. Lesson learned for next time to save some bucks.
Even if we couldn’t conquer all the dishes (half of them untouched), the joy of the meal mattered most. Happy memories are what counts, especially when on vacation with the right companion. Always room for improvement, but happiness tops the list!
稻香超級漁港 (Pier 88)
Address: 香港銅鑼灣告士打道255-257號信和廣場1樓R4舖
(Sino Plaza #1st Floor @ Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay)
Opening Hours: 7:00am – 2:00am
Special discount rates offer for dine-in AFTER 9pm
Tel：2892 0988
Summary for Hotpot Meal Ordering Tips:
1. **Avoid Over-ordering:** Portion sizes are generous, so start with a combination set for small groups and reorder later if necessary.
2. **Consider Combination Sets:** Especially for small groups, these sets provide a variety and value.
3. **Dine After 9pm for Discounts:** Enjoy late-night discounted prices for most items by dining in after 9 pm.
4. **Take Home Leftovers:** Request a disposable food box for any unconsumed items; the restaurant is happy to pack them for you.
Side Information:
– **Tao Heung (稻香):** Specializes in creative and healthy hotpot to cater to diverse customer preferences.
– **Pier 88 (稻香超級漁港):** Renowned for fresh, value-for-money seafood and distinguished hotpot, maintaining superior quality in ingredients and services.