Cover Shun Kee Typhoon Shelter Seafood; Instagram.com/mylittlefaithhk

For something a little different, explore these unique, and somewhat unusual, dining experiences

There’s no shortage of good food in Hong Kong. From Michelin-starred restaurants to local gems and must-eats, this city is a dining paradise filled with eateries from every cuisine imaginable. Since the pandemic, however, many are looking for new and exciting experiences to try. With this in mind, we’ve found the most unique dining experiences to try in Hong Kong.

In case you missed it: The Best Private Dining Rooms in Hong Kong

Sampan Seafood Dinner

One of the last remaining floating restaurants: Shun Kee Typhoon Shelter is a traditional sampan dining experience in Causeway Bay. The seafood restaurant was featured on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations, in which the chef spoke highly of the spicy typhoon shelter crab, however, expect other seafood dishes such as clams in black bean sauce and the signature crab oil stir-fried noodles in the six-course dinner.

Humid with a Chance of Fishballs also holds guided tours to Causeway Bay’s typhoon shelter, while Saffron Cruises organise fine-dining sampan tours with a three-course meal that starts from the Aberdeen Boat Club. 

Find out more about Shun Kee Typhoon Shelter, Humid with a Chance of Fishballs and Saffron Cruises 

Dinner in the Dark

What does food taste like in complete darkness? Research has shown that our sense of sight is so strong that it can sometimes overpower our taste buds, affecting how flavour is perceived before it reaches the mouth.

Dialogue In The Dark Foundation is a charitable organisation in Hong Kong that aims to educate the public on how those with disabilities live on a daily basis. One of the activities they offer—dinner in the dark—brings participants together for a meal in pitch-black, allowing the sighted to discover what food tastes like when sight isn’t involved. 

Learn more about Dinner in the Dark

See also: Koh Seng Choon’s Social Enterprise Dignity Kitchen Is Providing Culinary Training for People With Disabilities

Dim Sum Bus Tour

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of Crystal Bus
Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of Crystal Bus

Bedazzled with over 100,000 Swarovski crystals inside, Crystal Bus’ double-decker is equipped with sofa seats and tables. The experience offers lunch and dinner tours that last about 2.5 hours in which the bus will drive to more than 20 local attractions—all while you enjoy a dim sum meal onboard.

Learn more about Crystal Bus

Late Night Squidding

Enjoying a seafood dinner on the waters is one thing, but catching your own seafood dinner on Hong Kong waters is quite another. A unique summer experience, squid fishing (or squidding) is a seasonal activity that takes place between April and September when there is plenty of squid in the sea. The fresh squid is then cooked on the spot with other seafood dishes.

Junk boat and special events boating company, Sea-E-O Boating offers squid fishing packages in which guests can choose to depart from Hong Kong Island or Sai Kung. The company's signature yacht is also available to hire for a more stylish squidding experience.​​

Learn more about Sea-E-O Boating

Multisensory Dining

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of Jing

Jing, which makes use of contemporary art and technology, for a unique dining experience takes place inside a round private dining room whereby 360-degree visuals are projected onto curved white walls and the table with music and narration that tell stories as you dine. The cuisine gives Chinese classics a modern twist and corresponds to the stories which currently take the senses back to China's golden age: the Tang dynasty.

Learn more about Jing

See also: Jing, a New Multisensory Dining Experience, Transports Guests Back to the Tang Dynasty

Prawn This Way

Another Hong Kong fishing experience comes in the form of Ha Cube in San Po Kong which allows guests to fish for prawns from a big pool and then barbecue them. As the only indoor shrimp farm, Ha Cube will also add the seasoning and sauce of choice to make the most of your catch. Lobsters and crabs are also available on the menu.

Learn more about Ha Cube

Meal in the "Sky"

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of The Galley by Cafe Proud Wings
Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of The Galley by Cafe Proud Wings

The Galley by Cafe Proud Wings offers aviation enthusiasts, and possibly those who haven't flown for some time, a chance to "fly" away for their next meal. The themed restaurant is designed to take guests from the arrival hall in the airport to the plane where they can enjoy a meal in the window seat or aisle side. The food is dished out in plane ware but, thankfully, looks somewhat more appetising than typical plane food including risotto with squid ink to crab cakes with mango salsa and truffle soup.

Learn more about The Galley by Cafe Proud Wings

Afternoon Tea at Sea

Take the afternoon off and hop aboard Aqua Luna's traditional Chinese junk boat to sample dim sum and treats during golden hour. The company hosts afternoon tea cruises on their signature red sail junks every day from 3.30pm to 5pm. The menu features ten yum cha favourites such as black truffle har gau, siu mai and egg tart, as well as other desserts including cheesecake, tiramisu and a lemon tartlet. 

Learn more about Aqua Luna

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