[Review 6912] Peruvian cravings satisfied @ ICHU

 18/10/2018

ICHU 
中環皇后大道中80號H Queen's 3樓
3/F, H Queen's, 80 Queens Road Central, Central
https://www.openrice.com/zh/hongkong/review/peruvian-cravings-satisfied-e3189095

Peruvian cravings satisfied
2018-10-18  763 瀏覽
I love Peruvian food but I cannot get enough of it in Hong Kong as there are not many around.
Peruvian food revolves around unique ingredients like purple corn, chocla, ceviches and colourful sweet potatoes.
At ICHU, the decor takes you to the Aztec times ruled by the Inca Empire.

Beginning my Peruvian dinner journey I started with the CHICHA MORADA which is a concoction of Purple Corn, Pineapple Skin, Apple, Spices.
It was rich in ruby colour and refreshing in taste.
For appetizers, began with the  PALTA QUEMADA (Charred Avocado, Aji Limo, Tomato) which was black in appearance.
The avocado was coated with black dusting filled with tomato puree in the middle.
Next were the ceviches, these are popular appetizers with a Japanese influence.
There are so many different options with a choice of snapper, yellow tail and even tenderloin.
PEZ LIMON (Yellow Tail, Yuzu Vinaigrette, Corn)
CLASICO (Snapper, Choclo, Red Onion, Sweet Potato)
TARTAR DE LOMO CON MAIZ (Tender Loin, Corn, Carob Molasses, Chives)


As well as ceviche, the beef short rib COSTILLAS DE RES was so soft and the meat literally melted in your mouth.
It was covered in this delicious strong seco sauce which seemed to be laced with cumin.

Dessert was also good, the QUESO DE CARBRA cheesecake really surprised me as it was made with goat cheese and it was not heavy at all as the texture was soft and silky, not dense at all.
There was a fragrant creamy taste to it topped with raspberry and Quinoa.

Also had the TRES LECHE which was cake soaked in three different milks hence the name Tres Leches.
However there was a Peruvian twist to it with carrot sorbet which makes it memorable and I loved the meringue crackers on top.


Overall, all the dishes were perfect from beginning to end and will definitely be back for another gathering.

Teriyaki Chicken is here!!! [蔦 Tsuta]

Since Tsuta opened, there are now two branches.
At Causeway Bay, they have just launched the new Teriyaki Chicken Soba and Teriyaki Spicy Chicken Soba along with Deep fried chicken and some gyozas.
Chicken is much nicer compared to pork so I had to try it and the soba they use is slightly different to ones they use in the Shio Soba as it is thinner.

Same as the other sobas, you can choose how many pieces of chicken, egg etc in your soba.

IT IS CONFUSING HERE BECAUSE THE CHINESE MENU SAYS RAMEN WHEREAS THE ENGLISH MENU SAYS SOBA.
ANYWAY FOR THE CHICKEN THE ENGLISH MENU SAYS SOBA.

[Teriyaki Chicken Soba]

[Teriyaki Spicy Chicken Soba]

[Deep fried chicken]

To summarize, the Teriyaki Chicken is quite sweet and the non spicy one has a stronger chicken taste in the broth.
For the spicy one, this one was interesting, if you eat it just as it is you get the spiciness but after you add the tomato paste in the broth it becomes more appetizing and brings out the chicken!!!!!
The fried chicken was good for sharing if one ramen isn't too enough for you but then they also have large ramens.

[蔦 Tsuta]

Shop 2, G/F, V Point, 18 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay

Gioconda Scott stars at Kitchen Savvy with irresistable Spanish Fare

It's Spanish month!!! Chef #giocondascott will be at Kitchen Savvy from Seville, Spain and joining the team to serve some irresistible Spanish fare!

Went to the preview at Kitchen Savvy and tried Gioconda Scott's dishes which were authentic yet served with a modern twist.

Here was what we had:

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[Gioconda Gazpacho Andaluz]

This was a refreshing chilled soup great on a hot day.
With the tones of appetizing tomato it definitely was a great start before dinner.
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[Bunuelo de Camarones]

The golden little morsels were just like non spicy Indian Pakoras with crispy crushed shrimps in it that gives it a lovely flavour from the coast.
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[Tortilla Espanola]

Looking like the usual Spanish Tortilla,  it had a minty twist to it with mint leaves.
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[Chipirones a la Plancha]

Fresh baby squids can never fail to impress and do not require much seasoning.
The texture of these were beautiful with a crisp skin and a delicate texture that gives in.
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[Pan Con Tomate y Jamon]

The pairing of ham and finely smashed tomatoes were flawless.
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[Empanada Chorizo y Cebolleta]

I loved the way,  Gioconda has given them a South American Empanada appearance.
Inside they were filled with chorizo which gives it a wild smoky flavour.
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[Presa Iberica with Smoked Paprika, Crispy Broken Potatoes, spinach with Chilies, Raisins and Pine Nuts]

The main dish was surprisingly comforting as it looked like roast dinner complete with roast potatoes and leafy glistening spinach.
My favourites had to be the potato and spinach which had a fiery kick complimented by the sweet raisins.
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[Almond Cake]

Finished with the almond cake which was loaded with finely grounded almond topped with cream fraiche.
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[Churros with Chocolate Sauce]

There was churros as well which was a nice way to end the meal.
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At Kitchen Savvy, they will be serving the Spanish Tapas Semi-Buffet and Spanish Set Menu during October.

Spanish Tapas Semi-Buffet Dinner every Fri & Sat this month from 6pm
HKD538 + 10%

Spanish Set Menu
1 - 31 October
Lunch & Dinner (Sun - Thur)
Lunch Only (Fri & Sat)
HKD468 + 10%

Reserve your table at Kitchen Savvy @ 3953 2213
View the menu @ www.hotelstage.com/kitchen-savvy/

Swedish lifestyle and food in Hong Kong

After going to the Swedish National Day recently I just couldn't get enough of Swedish lifestyle and food in HK.

Discovered that #tryswedish was at the Natural & organic products Asia (NOPA), it was the perfect opportunity to visit the booth.

There were so many products from beer, tonic water, chicken, grain based products and cheese.

As a cheese lover SweCheese was my top pick which is made with the best milk.

Next was the organic chicken by Polar Wings where the chickens are fed organic food and water.

Lantmannen has a good variety of breakfast products like muesli.

Ekobryggeriet AB offers organic drinks under the brands The Dirt Water Fox Brewery and Ekobryggeriet where they do not use colorings or any our sodas unnecessary additives!

After visiting the booth it was good to find out that there are more healthy and alternative options available.

www.tryswedish.com

Swish and Smell your teas in Wine Glasses at [Van Gogh Senses]

At [Van Gogh Senses], they are now serving fine food and cold brew tea pairing.

I found it a unique experience as the afternoon tea is paired with cold brew teas in wine glasses.

So as a tea lover, you get to try all their signature teas with scrumptious treats that are paired with it.

I love tea so it was a brilliant experience as it takes tea to the next level where you can smell and swish it in wine glasses in a stylish way.
You won't find me gulping down wine but you will find me gulping down teas as I am thirsty for tea all the time!!!

All of them were good especially the passionfruit oolong and chocolate mint tea.

Dates: 5, 12, 19, 26 Oct (Fri)

Dates: 5, 12, 19, 26 Oct (Fri)

Time: Start from 3:00pm to 5:30pm

Fee: $698 for two, subject to 10% service charge.
BOOK NOW!
Call (852) 2622 2887 or email 1881@vangoghsenses.com for registration.

[A Happy Pancake] has landed in Hong Kong

This is the good thing about HK, you don't have to travel anywhere if the franchise maintains a good standard.

With these overseas branches, it is best to try it during the first few weeks when the main chefs are there and before they try adapting or changing some ingredients.

Anyway, tried the savoury first as I didn't have breakfast.
It was nice and fluffy with wheat inside it and there was no overwhelming buttery taste and they do not use baking soda.

For the savory choices, I felt that this one was a good choice as the others were mainly omelettes so that's quite a lot of egg in one ago along with the pancakes which are also made of egg.
For the sweet, the signature and the Milk Tea were tempting but chose the milk tea because as it was Japanese, I was giving it the benefit of the doubt that it would not be Chinese style milk tea!!!!!
It turned out to be delicious but it is quite sweet so don't dip too much sauce on the pancakes.
The sauce tasted like a mix of earl grey and condensed milk but as I said it was sweet so I didn't use much of it.
Also on top of the pancakes were granola and dried apples which I liked.

Overall, I loved the souffle pancakes as it didn't have that annoying weird buttery smell and I hope they can maintain the standards.

[A Happy Pancake 幸福班戟]
Shop 203-205, 2/F, Lee Garden Three, 1 Sunning Road, Causeway Bay

Cute joint with affordable Modern dishes at [Sun's Bazaar 茶米]

Discovered Sun's Bazaar as there was a long queue for tea.

It turns out that drinks were half priced so I queued to get one.
The fact that it was half priced meant that I could experiment with different things like adding the milk cap and two different pearls and it didn't cost a bomb. The total was only $22!!!!

I am not a fan of pearls but the taro and Sichuan are unique.
The Sichuan ones really do contain pieces of Sichuan pepper that give the pearls a slight crunch as well spiciness and the taro pearls taste like the dessert mochi balls.

Returned a few days later to try the food as there were so many interesting dishes.

I assumed this was a Taiwanese joint as there was quite an emphasis on the KIKI brand. However on the menu, you will find Hainan Chicken, Rice rolls and even congee.
The decor was young and cute.

Here was what we had: The ricerolls are different as they are served scrunched up because they are made by pushing the sheet to one side.
I liked the one topped with oyster and there was one that came in beef soup that is interesting to try.

On the Hong Kong dish side, they had the popular crispy chow mein topped with vegetables in gravy.

I was surprised the congee was Cantonese style as I thought it was going to Taiwanese. But anyway, it was comforting with chunks of chicken in it.

Next was the Sichuan Dan Dan noodles that star KIKI Noodles.
[A pack of KiKi noodles]

[Sichuan Dan Dan noodles]


The meat sauce and broth had a good spicy kick to it. Moving on to a slight Modern Chinese claypot rice, it was Spanish Chorizo and spare ribs rice served kamameshi style. Chorizo and rice were delicious together.

Last but not least was the Hainan Chicken, a secret recipe from Old Bazaar Kitchen which is why this restaurant is called Sun's Bazaar!!

[Sun's Bazaar 茶米]
Shop 112, 1/F, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty
Tel: 21175903