We all love dipping into a plate of beautiful hummus, but this ubiquitous dish just begins to scratch the surface of everything that Middle Eastern cuisine brings to the table. We put the food at four popular Middle Eastern restaurants in Hong Kong to the test – here’s where to find a feast near you!
Rue du Liban
The vibe
Stepping off Hillwood Road in TST, we entered an oasis of rich and vibrant colours. At Rue du Liban, yellow accents and tiles pop against warm blue hues and dark green walls. However the real feature of this new Lebanese restaurant is the ceiling that’s filled with foliage and little pink and purple flowers. Meanwhile, the glow of lamps above sets the tone for an intimate and vibrant dining experience.
What’s on the menu
As soon as I saw the grilled halloumi ($128) on the menu, I knew that’s what I wanted to start with. After all, it’s a crowd favourite for a reason and when it’s done well, like it was here, it’s simply scrumptious. The cheese was soft with a crispy outer layer that was drizzled with sweet Lebanese pomegranate molasses. On top, the tomatoes added a tartness and the pomegranate seeds gave the dish a flavour punch that balanced the rich halloumi flavour.
This was followed by our main to share, a lamb shank taking centre stage in a large golden bowl ($248). The meat simply fell off the bone. It was packed with juicy flavour and balanced with smooth and fluffy mash along with a humble selection of vegetables. We also paired our main with a tabouli salad and it was tangy, fresh and crunchy. Just what we needed!
For drinks, we tried the Passion Fruit Fizzle cooler and Lavender Bliss, both refreshing with subtle flavours that weren’t too sweet. There’s also a fantastic wine list with plenty of interesting options, especially the selection from Lebanon.
Why we loved it
The ambience sets the tone at Rue du Liban and the menu is perfect for sharing. The staff were attentive and if you go for dinner on a Friday, there’s also belly dancing performances. So we’ll be coming back for that!
Megan Hobson
Shop A, G/F, Hillwood Court, 22-26 Hillwood Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
2310 2922 | Instagram
Bedu
The vibe
Situated at the quieter end of Gough Street, this neighbourhood Middle Eastern restaurant and bar is a real gem. Inspired by nomadic Bedouin tribes, Executive Chef Corey Riches has given his modern twist to traditional Middle Eastern dishes. The result? An enticing menu that’s ideal for sharing.
What’s on the menu?
We went for the “Ask the Chef’” option (HK$390 per person), which kicked off with warm, soft, homemade flatbreads dusted with spices and accompanied by two dips: a silky labneh garnished with pistachio, and a generous serving of hummus. A delicious start!
I’m generally not a fan of eggplant, which takes pride of place on many Middle Eastern menus. So it was with some trepidation I tried the eggplant carpaccio. But the smoky, squishy aubergine garnished with crimson pomegranate was simply superb – I’m a convert! The roasted cabbage with black garlic labneh also hit the spot.
We then moved on to salmon kibbeh nayeh: soft marinated salmon chunks in a beetroot dressing with a sourdough crisp; it was a pleasant, if a little underseasoned for our palates. Standout dish of the night went to the harissa-glazed chicken skewers sitting on black garlic labneh. They were succulent, with more smoky flavours, and positively singing with the harissa – the perfect bite!
To end, Turkish Kisses was a pretty plate of strawberries, watermelon and soft pillowy marshmallow; a fitting finale.
There’s an interesting wine list of French and Italian vintages, and the team at Bedu also serve some great Middle Eastern-inspired cocktails. My friend enjoyed the Red Sea ($95), an layered cocktail of rosemary syrup and red wine topped off with Ballantine’s scotch and lemon juice. And I loved the Princess ($105), a pretty pink strawberry vodka cocktail blended with blackberry and almond syrup.
Why we loved it!
We thoroughly enjoyed our evening at Bedu – great food and drinks, and the team is knowledgeable and passionate, which just adds another reason for us to return soon!
Kate Woodbury
40 Gough Street, Central
2320 4450 | bedurestaurant.com
Francis
The vibe
Some evenings, it’s nice to let someone else make all the decisions. So when James, the owner at Francis, recommended the Tasting Menu ($380), a curated selection of eight or so mezzes, we sat back and relaxed.
Francis also boasts an impressive range of wines including some lesser known labels from Lebanon, all of which are available by the glass. James suggested we pair different wines with the dishes – again, we agreed!
What’s on the menu?
Raw hamachi harissa and lime on a crouton was the perfect morsel to open up with – vibrant and zesty. Next came baked halloumi with pomegranate molasses and oregano. This was a true delight, perfectly balanced salty cheese with bursts of sweetness. I could have eaten it all by myself, but my sister-in-law had other ideas! We particularly enjoyed the Lebanese wine pairing – Les Coteaux from the Bekaa Valley.
The hits kept coming: the beef cigars featured succulent, gently spiced beef rolled in crisp filo pastry, in a vivid green sauce of basil, mint and coriander. And the lamb ribs were a showstopper. We can’t praise this dish enough: perfectly grilled lamb with just the right amount of char, served with an orange, yoghurt and coriander dressing. The tender meat just fell off the bone. A glass of Corino Langhe Nebbiolo paired perfectly.
The next mezzes were a nice change of pace: burnt eggplant, roasted carrots and zucchini salad. Vegetarians and vegans won’t be disappointed when ordering here.
To finish, we had knafeh, a popular Middle Eastern dessert that’s taken to a new level at Francis. A warm, crisp filo crust encases a slightly savoury cheese filling and is drizzled in a fragrant sugar syrup served with ice cream. There’s a balance and harmony about this dish that we really loved.
Why we loved it!
Overall, this is the perfect neighbourhood restaurant that hits all the right notes for a fabulous night out and great Middle Eastern food.
Kate Woodbury
4-6 St Francis Street, Wan Chai
francis.com.hk
Maison Libanaise
The vibe
This easy-going all-day restaurant offers diners all the flavours you’d expect from the streets of Beirut. And, as it’s part of the Black Sheep group, we knew we were in for a treat.
Inspired by the 1960s cultural renaissance in Lebanon’s capital city, Maison Libanaise has two dining areas, Le Salon on the first floor, and a rooftop dining area ideal for the cooler months.
What’s on the menu?
The menu offers a fine selection of hot and cold mezzes, salads and larger dishes. We kicked off with the hummus bil tahini ($68), smooth and creamy with a hint of lemon and tahini garnished with whole chickpeas and olive oil; it’s simply delicious scooped up onto warm pita bread ($58). The honey-glazed pan-fried halloumi ($158) was nicely balanced; one side of the salty cheese was garnished with a soft sweet fig and the other half a zesty and fragrant Byzantine dressing.
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the mashawi ($388). These three perfectly chargrilled skewers featured melt-in-your-mouth beef, chicken and lamb, all piled up on a grilled pita bread garnished with pickled chilli and grilled tomato and onions. Two dipping sauces accompanied the dish: Maison’s housespiced labné and a super delicious harissa sauce. A very close runner-up was the harissa roasted cauliflower ($128) dusted with spices and charred to perfection. We’ll be back again and again to eat these two must-order dishes!
As with most Middle Eastern food menus, vegetarians and vegans are well catered for here with plenty of choice. The wine list offers some interesting and lesser-known options from Lebanon. We chose a bottle of Chateau Kefraya ($358), a blend of cinsault, cabernet sauvignon, grenache and carignan that’s a smooth easy-drinking red – a perfect match for the food.
Why we loved it!
This is a great restaurant for casual dining with friends – everything you’d expect from the Black Sheep team!
Kate Woodbury
10 Shelley Street, Central
2111 2284 | maisonlibanaise.com.hk
Enjoyed our guide to Middle Eastern restaurants in Hong Kong? For more foodie inspiration, head to our our Wine & Dine section.
Subscribe to Expat Living magazine now so you never miss an issue!
