[Hong Kong] Meen & Rice 粥粉麵飯

Rating: ❤❤❤❤

Southside residents rejoice! There's finally a legit place serving basic Chinese comfort food on the southern part of the island (excluding Aberdeen). Located at the up and coming dining hot spot The Pulse in Repulse Bay, the restaurant serves classics like congee, noodles, barbecued items and more along with view of the beach and ocean. I was initially hesitant to try this place thinking the prices would be jacked up given the location and the quality may not be up to par with the real deal in the city, I decided to give it try after hearing that this restaurant is launched by the same group behind 208, 22 Ships, Chachawan, Duddell's, etc.

Taking advantage of the oceanfront property, most restaurants on level 1 offers a semi al fresco dining experience with an open dining space and Meen & Rice was not exception. The only downside will be the heat in the summer and the occasional critter flying around. The decor was whimsical with a menu of dishes on the wall like the ones you'd find in real dai pai dongs along with noodle strainers hanging from the ceiling but the rest of the restaurant was neat and simple - retro and modern at the same time. 

You know a place is legit when they offer the most awesome chili sauce ever - Yu Kwen Yick (余均益)!

Unlike most Chinese shops, they serve water here instead of tea but at least you get to drink it out of Loveramics cups.

Stewed Beef Brisket Noodle ($55) - the portion was a bit smaller than expected but the broth which is the soul of any noodle soup was amazingly flavorful with rich beefy flavors! The beef brisket was soft and easy to chow through while the egg noodles were springy with a slight chewy mouthfeel.

Barbecued Pork and Roast Goose Rice ($88) - as a big Cantonese barbecue fan, I had to try their barbecued items so I got a barbecued pork and roast goose rice plate to try. The char siu was above average with a sweet honey glaze and equal portions of fatty and lean meat but it's missing the charcoal aroma from my favorite hole-in-the-wall shop in Chai Wan. The roast goose was very decent as well with juicy flavors but I wish the skin could have been crispier.   

Deep-fried Shrimp Toast ($78) - this shrimp toast was out of this world! It was the best that I've had as the toast was light and crispy but not oily at all while carefully balancing the delicate flavors of the shrimp as they have used a whole shrimp here instead of shrimp paste. I'd go back just to have this again!

Verdict - while the prices are expectedly higher than what you will find at shops in the main part of the city, it's not obscenely unreasonable either - I think it's fair given the location, decor, hygiene and quality of food. Definitely for the residents of southside, it's a great place to get your Chinese comfort food fix nearby and I can't wait to go back to try more of their dishes!

Meen & Rice 粥粉麵飯
Level 1, The Pulse
28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay
Tel: 2566 8886
https://www.facebook.com/MeenandRice


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