Finding a restaurant that serves Dim Sum in Hong Kong is
not difficult as there are thousands of restaurants that cater for this
traditional Yum Cha culture throughout the 18 districts in this Special
Administrative Region by offering their very own unique style and version of
delicacies from its century old tradition. But, in order to look for an
authentic Cantonese Dim Sum restaurant that serves top quality Dim Sum with
other signature house specialties, you need to be picky. mylifestylenews writes.
Tin Lung Heen at The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong offers you the sky-high level of dining pleasure to your accordance. Not only for its authenticity of superb taste, but also the presentation and service delivery together with a less clamorous ambience yet sophisticated and comfy environment to enjoy the traditional Yum Cha with your best company without needing to shout-out-loud over the conversation like in the typical Chinese Dim Sum Yum Cha restaurants.The Two Michelin-starred Tin Lung Heen is truly a blissful venue for a refined Cantonese culinary at all times.
Perched atop the 102nd Floor on the International Commerce Centre (ICC) - the tallest building in Hong Kong, Tin Lung Heen is a popular venue for Hong Kong’s traditional Dim Sum as well as the business lunch during the week. The elegant dining room set in a beautifully designed space with a warm tone of burgundy station tables contrasting the dark wooden flooring at the first half of the restaurant closer to the entrance and a light earth tone carpeted flooring further in giving the yin and yang harmony. Giant flooring to ceiling high dark and light crafted wooden wall panels with Chinese elements enhance the already sophisticated ambiance. A wall of soaring high cupboard displayed with a vast selection of artisanal vases and the giant “lantern-like-Chandelier” decorated with Oriental ornaments with tassels adds another majestic yet cozy setting to the entire restaurant.
Beside the great elements of its interior design, another highlight of the restaurant deco is the spectacular lookout view from the 102nd floor with weather permitting on a clear fine day. Make sure you ask for the window table to enjoy the harbor view and Hong Kong skyline while dining. For more privacy, the corner end private dining rooms offer you a more intimate dining experience passing through a “tunnel” of illuminated wine cellars on glass doors being one the most instagram-worthy spots leading to the hotel’s Italian restaurant, TOSCA.
A five course special menu was prepared for us to experience the culinary journey with a few signature dishes added on from its classic menu. We started with three of Tin Lung Heen’s signature Dim Sum: Baked Barbecued Pork Bun with Almond Flake, Steamed Shrimp Har Gao Dumpling With Bamboo Shoot and Steamed Spotted Garoupa Siu Mai Dumpling with Coriander. The baked barbeque pork bun is an alternative version of the tradition Steamed Pork Bun and serves more like a pastry with a light crust from the almond flakes and the bun baked to a soft and fluffy texture with a rich barbeque pork filling that makes a perfect combination. There is no doubt that high quality ingredients are used here, the steamed shrimp dumpling topped with edible gold leaves was quite flavorsome but expected a little more delicacy of the thinner paste and a little bit more flavor from the filling to achieve perfection. The Steamed Garoupa Siu Mai was not what we expected as it should be, lacking in taste and too firm in touch to the palate.
We opted for some Roasted Goose with Plum Sauce. Despite the enticing glossy skin that gives an instant craving when it was served on the table and tempted you to dig in right away, it was just a little on the soggy side. However, the juicy tender meat was rather delicious and with a dip into the plum sauce, it immediately toned down the oily palate from the goose and gave a well balance to the taste on the meat.
The three layers of Roasted Crispy Pork Belly reduces the additional two layers of fat from the cut of the meat and yet still gives you a great mouth full bite especially the golden top layer of skin being roasted to a light crispy texture.
Next dish that came to the table was one of Chef’s Premium selection – The Barbecued Iberian Pork Char Siu with Honey which is no doubt the star dish for Tin Lung Heen. The Spanish Iberian Pork was barbeque to perfection, with a hint of burnt crust from the outside and melt-in-the-mouth effect, thanks to the honey being glazed around the meat. This top quality signature dish Iberian pork char siu shoulder is so tender, delectable and utterly to die for. A must order!
The Double-boiled Chicken Soup with Fish Maw in Baby Coconut is another signature creation. The chicken soup was double-boiled inside the baby coconut to retain and extract the hint of sweetness from the baby coconut when it was boiled. This clear broth also drew out the light flavor from the fish maw and gave a well balanced taste.
The simplicity of the presentation on Steamed Crab Claw with Egg White in Hua Diao Wine is simply appetizing. The egg was steamed to a light silky texture and the Crab Claw was simply fresh with delicate flavors to be enjoyed by the dash of Hua Diao Chinese wine on this supreme dish.
The Simmered Assorted Vegetables and Shiitake Mushroom in Supreme Broth is truly a palate cleanser in between meat dishes.
We had an additional order for the Wok-fried Wagyu Beef with Ginger & Leek Ginger. The beef was incredibly tender and best accompanied by the high heat wok-fried ginger and leek that gives hint heat and pungent in taste that rounded up the bite of the tenderness of the beef.
Dessert was the Chilled Mango Cream with Sago and Pomelo. A classic Cantonese dessert that was spot on and not too sweet but rich in flavor and came with a small butter cookie and a starchy yam glutinous rice mocha which we appreciated after so many rich dishes.
Tin Lung Heen showcases overall in culinary excellence with its presentation and uncompromising flavor as well as the impeccable service in a subtle style. This attention to detail earned them some distinct recognition from the food connoisseurs and foodie alike. We specifically asked for the dishes to come slowly so that the lunch would unfold in a gracious and pleasant pace which is not usually the case in Chinese restaurants. But you can expect this refined approach from such a revered hotel and Chinese restaurant especially in Tin Lung Heen where you can take your time to enjoy and appreciate for the finest being delivered.
Tried & Tested:
Location: 4.5/5
Design & Decor: 4.5/5
Food & Beverage: 4.5/5
Service: 5/5
Value For Money: 4/5
Experience: 4.5/5
Highlights:
Barbecued Iberian Pork Char Siu with Honey
Level 102, International Commerce Centre
1 Austin Road West
Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2263 2270
Reviews are based on actual day of visit and experience. mylifestylenews reserves the right of final decision in case of any disputes. All images are photographed by mylifestylenews team without any photoshop enhancement and are the property owned by mylifestylenews unless otherwise stated.
