Hong Kong Vacations | Hong Kong Vacation Packages

Many think that a vacation to Hong Kong is only for the rich who can afford to splurge. This is actually not true. Even if you are on a budget, you can still buy great items in Hong Kong. There are many flea markets here where you can bargain for the best prices. Read on to know how.

Hotspots for bargain shopping in Hong Kong

There are many shops in Hong Kong where you can do bargain shopping. One of Hong Kong’s most famous markets is the Ladies Market. Despite the name, this market caters to both men and women. There are a lot of cheap items here. You can actually haggle for the lowest prices. Another bargain shopping destination is the Stanley Market. This is a great place to shop for souvenirs. Here, you can hone your bargaining skills before you go to a bigger market. This should be the first market you explore before you head off to other shops. Wan Chai Street market is another shopping hotspot. This is one of the biggest markets in Hong Kong. You will find a good variety of items in this market, from kids’ toys to Chinese clothing. Wan Chai Street market is a haggle-friendly place.

How to haggle over prices

Haggling over prices takes a step by step process. In order to get the best items at a lower price, you have to be patient and persistent. You also have to use your own charm. The first thing to do is to select a haggle-friendly environment such as flea markets and other shops where you can get a good bargain. You then have to select an item that you want and check the product’s quality. It is important that you determine the maximum price you are willing to pay for it. You should start bargaining 40 to 50 percent less than the maximum price you are willing to pay. You have to respond to the counteroffers by increasing your offer in small increments until the seller gives in.

Hong Kong is one of the best shopping destinations in Asia. Here, you will find various quality items at wide price ranges. If you are persistent and you know how to bargain, you could have the items that you want at less expense. So even if you don’t have thousands or millions of dollars, you can afford to buy many souvenirs and amazing finds in Hong Kong as long as you know where and how to get a good bargain.

Related questions:

1. What’s the best thing to buy in Hong Kong?
2. Are the restaurants in Hong Kong very expensive?
3. Are there many cases of pickpockets in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is known for being the ultimate shopping center in Asia. Large shopping malls and flea markets are found in the city. However, there are more to Hong Kong than its bargain shopping and famous markets. At the heart of the city is the district of Wan Chai. This place is said to be the epitome of Hong Kong lifestyle because here you will see and experience almost everything that Hong Kong has to offer. The district has various arts centers, luxury apartments and five-star hotels, metropolitan office towers, and, of course, shopping malls. Aside from these, the district is also known for its bars and classy restaurants. In Wan Chai District, one good food place to visit and try is the Sang Kee Restaurant. Here’s a resturant review:

Sang Kee in Wan Chai District

One of the up and coming restaurants in Wan Chai district is Sang Kee. The restaurant is simple with a touch of elegance. The establishment has a merry ambiance because the interior is dominated by bright colors. Sang Kee’s speciality is congee. The restaurant also has Asian, specifically Chinese, dishes in its menu. The menu includes sweet and sour pork, sweet and sour riblets, Sai Yeung Choi soup, fried squid, salt-baked chicken, Mei Cai Kou, and fried stuffed peppers. All these are worth a bite for your own version of gustatory delight.

Sang Kee is a good choice for Cantonese dishes and some seafood specials. The meals are worth the price if you’ve been wanting to sample authentic Chinese and Cantonese dishes. The highly recommended are pig’s heart congee, liver congee, chicken congee, dried scallop congee, fish belly congee, and vegetarian congee.

Trying out Sang Kee

Sang Kee is a good enough place to be with your peers, family, and friends. It could be a great venue for the girls’ or boys’ night out. The best thing about this restaurant is that, from here, you can have an easy access to many interesting establishments in the Wan Chai district. So, after you’re done with dinner, you can just go out with your friends and hang out in one of Hong Kong’s giant shopping centers and complexes. But if you are planning for a romantic dinner date, this restaurant is not really the best choice. The decorations are loud and the overall atmosphere in the restaurant is a bit noisy to enjoy the company of your date.

The ratings

With a rating of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest, Sang Kee gets an 8 for its food and beverage. For the service, it gets a 6 because the restaurant doesn’t offer as much privacy with the noise that might bother you a little. The dishes are good and reasonably priced so the restaurant gets a 7 for the value. For its service, it scores a 6. Much can be done to improve the service to customers.

Related questions:

1. Aside from congee, what are the other dishes that Sang Kee is very proud of?
2. What are the other popular dining establishements in Wan Chai District?
3. What’s the best meal after the congee in Sang Kee?
4. What’s the best restaurant for romantic dinner in Wan Chai district.
5. What’s the nearest mall from Sang Kee?

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Restaurant review – Guide to restaurant reviews
Hong Kong Chinese Food – About some Chinese dishes in Hong Kong
Hong Kong – Some interesting things about Hong Kong

Alright, the Afrikana BBQ Restaurant and Lounge might not be a brand-spanking new restaurant, but it is relatively new considering it’s located at the Fisherman’s Wharf.  Since the Fisherman’s Wharf is a newly-developed area in Macau, the Afrikana is a newcomer compared to other restaurants in Macau such as the Litoral or A Lorcha.  And as a newcomer, it brings something new to the table.  By providing some bit of African cuisine to the already diverse culinary culture of Macau, the Afrikana has found its place in the Macanese restaurant scene.

What the Africana BBQ Restaurant and Lounge has to offer

This new restaurant stays true to its name in its building architecture and interior decoration.  The Afrikana is composed of several buildings that are shaped like a hut, with the interiors featuring African artwork and designs.  As such, it does a pretty good job of inspiring an African setting into the place.

The Afrikana is most famous for its BBQ buffet, specifically the roast lamb.  You can find other grilled delights such as African chicken, BBQ meat, and grilled young dove.  And since it is conveniently located at the coast, you also have a wide selection of seafood, such as shrimp, lobster, and crab.  You can also have sushi in the restaurant.  You also have a wide selection of wines and cocktails to choose from, and the dessert is quite decent.
All in all, you would have a nice and delicious eating experience at the Afrikana.  Unfortunately, you can’t just walk in at the Afrikana as reservation is required.  Be also aware that the restaurant only serves dinner, so make your lunch and breakfast plans somewhere else.  Aside from those, the Afrikana is a fun place to eat, especially with a live band as entertainment.  Also, the price is not too bad for a buffet dinner.  With the wide selection of tasty dishes in its buffet, you’re sure to get every bang or burp out of your buck.

Photo Credit : Cloodlebing and Great Kindness

If you’re in a carnivorous mood, one of the new restaurants in Hong Kong that can satisfy that craving for delicious meat is the *BLT Steak Restaurant.  The restaurant is owned by renowned chef and restaurateur Laurent Tourondel.  If anyone can satisfy your need for delectable meat dishes, then that would be Tourondel.  From delectable French specials to American classic dishes, BLT steak is the place to be if you’re looking for a superb dining experience.

The best of BLT steak

The BLT Steak Restaurant offers only the finest ingredients in its dishes.  The meat that the restaurant uses is also imported from the US and Australia for the famous taste of steaks from those countries.  This is one of the reasons why BLT Steak was such a hit in New York.  And since they will continue the tradition in Hong Kong, for sure foreigners and locals would equally love it.  When you look at the menu, you can also see that they offer Wagyu and Kobe beef in their steak selections.  Aside from meat, BLT Steak also offer seafood dishes, such as the Crispy Red Snapper and the Grilled Spiny Lobster.  You also have several side dishes and appetizers to choose from.  You’ve   got grilled asparagus, roasted tomatoes, and jalapeno mashed potatoes, just to name a few.  BLT Steak also has a decent wine collection for you to wash down all that good food.  The restaurant also offers cocktails in its beverages list.

About the price, you will get what you pay for.  Delicious and steaks done just right, along with great ambiance and excellent service, BLT Steak will give you a fine dining experience.  It’s not bad to spend a bit, especially when you’re having steak for dinner.  The important thing is that you get your steak from the right place that will give you the right taste at the right place.  And one of the new restaurants in Hong Kong that can give that to you is the BLT Steak Restaurant.

Photo Credit : avlxyz

Hong Kong is certainly one of the best places in the world for a diverse  eating experience.  A new restaurant that contributes to this diversity is the Box Thai Restaurant.  Offering traditional Thai dishes “with a twist,” it has become great place to experience Thai food given a contemporary and unique  flavor.  This restaurant has also become a favorite among locals and foreigners because of its ambiance.

Delectables found at Box Thai

Among the food available at the Box Thai are the traditional Thai dishes such as large bowl noodles, fried noodles, and curry.  You also have stir-fried fresh vegetables mixed with noodles, beef, chicken, and prawns.  But you should try the new restaurant’s signature dishes, such as Braised Beef Shin with Thai Herbs, the Barbecued Duck breast with Thai spice, or the steamed whole fish of the day also seasoned with Thai herbs.  It is also recommended to try their grilled dishes.  It seems that Box Thai is excellent with its grilled dishes.

The ambience is also something unique.  The Box Thai features large, square communal tables that promote a cozy and warm atmosphere amongst diners.  And with the square lanterns hanging overhead, it gives the right lighting to induce a home-like feeling.  If you’re not used to communal tables, then this is a good chance for you to try it.  You may have to mind the lack of privacy, though.  But even so, the more the merrier, right? Seeing other people enjoy good food together somehow makes the food taste better, doesn’t it? Well, if you have doubts, you have to experience it yourself to find out how fun it can be.

The Box Thai also has a decent wine selection.  You can find red, white, sparkling specialty wines in its menu.  You can also try the Thai cocktails for a bit of variety in your usual cocktail.  So for a taste of Thai dishes eaten at a warm communal setting, Box Thai is the place for you.

Photo Credit :  Rubyran

The name of the restaurant says it all: Eat Right.  This quite new restaurant in Hong Kong is perhaps the only restaurant here that also lists the number of calories that each dish has.  Talk about eating right, Eat Right Restaurant is serious about its business.

Another thing that’s remarkable about this new restaurant is that it only serves the freshest produce and ingredients.  As modern life and its conveniences mostly produce oily and fatty foods drenched with preservatives and other chemicals, Eat Right provides a healthy alternative to people looking for fresh food in their diet.  Aside from that, Eat Right also has in-house nutritionists who create dishes with the right amount of nutrients and calories, while their chefs ensure that the resulting concoction and mixture would still be appealing to the palate.  Now, there’s no excuse not to eat your veggies and healthy food because they don’t taste good.  Eat Right made sure that they had taken care of that concern.

The new restaurant also has a membership program where clients can come in and have a custom menu and dishes that fits their needs.  Whether it’s for dieting for health reasons or just for general nutrition, Eat Right’s nutritionists and chefs can create dishes that perfectly suits clients’ tastes and nutritional needs.

You think that you’d have to pay a high premium for the services of Eat Right, but that is not the case.  The price of the food here is just right for the service it provides.  Instead of spending on diet pills and other weightloss products, doing things the natural way with Eat Right is a better option.  You don’t only enjoy good health, but you get to enjoy good food as well.  If you’re quite concerned about Hong Kong food being greasy and fatty, well, don’t be alarmed anymore.  That’s because Eat Right is there to provide you a healthy option.

Photo Credit : cote

You associate Italian with pasta, delicious seafood dishes, and even pizza, but Jazz?  Well, that is the novel concept that Mrs. Jones Restaurant, a new restaurant in Hong Kong, is offering to tourists and locals alike.  It is a welcome addition to the diversity of dining establishments that Hong Kong currently holds.

In terms of food, you can order the usual Italian fare at Mrs. Jones panzanella salad, chicken parmigiana, and spaghetti  and meatballs. You can also try the Gnocchi Ai Formaggi, pasta with parmigiano, gorgonzola, cream and sautéed spinach.  To wash it all down, you have a wide selection of Old and New World wines that are just perfect for taste of “Little Italy” in Hong Kong.

It is also suggested to take advantage of their set lunches, which is a steal at $98 (HK) plus 10% service charge.  For that price, you get to choose from two dishes for the entrée, three dishes for the main course, and a dessert.  If you’re looking for value for money, then Mrs. Jones can give that to you.

As mentioned earlier, this new restaurant also offer jazz to customers.  On weekdays, you have jazz music on the stereos, but come Saturday, you can enjoy the performance of a live Jazz band.  Be sure to make your reservations on Saturdays to make sure you have a table available as the live Jazz music seems to be a hit to customers all around.

Talking about tables and décor, the ambiance of this new restaurant is dark European, with a great mix of amber and dark wood to make you feel the quaint elegance of the Old World.  If you’re looking for a new dining experience in Hong Kong, then experience the mix of Jazz and Italian at Mrs. Jones Restaurant.  Good food, good wine, great music at a great price, Mrs. Jones has a lot to offer to Hong Kong diners.

Photo Credit : DeusXFlorida

Hong Kong truly is a gastronomic haven with all the restaurants and dining places in the city that serve different cuisines from all over the world.  One of the new restaurants that contribute to the culinary diversity of Hong Kong is Spice 8 Restaurant.  Spice 8 Restaurant is conveniently located in the Metropolis Mall, a great venue when you want to grab a bite after an event at the Hong Kong Coliseum or just after window-shopping and strolling around the mall.  This new restaurant offers spicy and flavorful Indian and Thai cuisine, so better prepare your taste buds for a delicious scorching from the different spicy dishes that India and Thailand is known for.

To go along with your smoking hot viands are the exotic beverages, such as the Indian tea and other strange brews to help you soothe down that delectable burning sensation from a good dose of spices.  Spice 8 restaurant is also a haven for sports fans, showing live games of cricket and football (soccer).  What could be better than having good food, excellent drinks to go with your viewing of your favorite sport?  This new restaurant is sure to match your sport fanaticism with equally spicy and burning taste of their dishes.  Sports and spicy food is a great combination.

So if you want to try something different from Chinese, French, and Italian cuisines of Hong Kong, then grab a taste of Indian and Thai food at Spice 8 Restaurant.  The restaurant has a casual environment so you can come as you are; you won’t need to make reservations.  Just be open to the burning sensation of spicy foods, and you’ll surely have an unforgettable dining experience.  The place is open from 11 am to 10 pm, so you can visit Spice 8 for lunch or dinner.  If you’re impressed with Szechuan spice, then you should also try Indian and Thai cuisines at Spice 8 Restaurant.

Photo Credit : Roland

If you’re looking for some Spanish cuisine in Shenzhen, then you can go to Tasca Spanish Tapas Restaurant.  This new restaurant serves traditional Spanish and Mediterranean dishes for those who want to taste some Spanish cuisine.

The must-try in this relatively new restaurant is the classic paella, rice that is cooked with tomato sauce mixed with various seafoods.  You should also try their caramelized codfish, fried octopus and sea bass.  And don’t forget one of the Tasca Spanish Tapas Restaurant’s signature dishes, the Spanish Iberian and Serrano Ham. And as the name of the restaurant suggests, you have 36 variations of tapas to choose from.  You can also order tortillas and gambas as part of your appetizer choices.

You should also order the Tasca Spanish Tapas Restaurant’s famous Sangria, a special Spanish punch that is sure to leave a memorable impression on your taste buds.  Since we’re on the wine subject, this new restaurant also claims to have the widest selection of single malt whiskey.  If you can’t look forward to the food, then at least look forward to the wine.

The ambiance and decors of the Tasca Spanish Tapas Restaurant is warm and cozy, and obviously Spanish.  You can see paintings of bullfights, tablecloths as red as a Matador’s muleta, and classic style wooden chairs and tables.  You have the choice of dining inside or al fresco.  But whatever you choose, the air and mood in the restaurant is unmistakably Spanish, and once the food arrives, you can start shouting “Ole”  and “viva” as much as the Spaniards do.  It also doesn’t hurt to be recently selected as “Shenzhen’s Best New Restaurant.”  So when you’re in Shenzhen and you’re craving for something Spanish, let the Tasca Spanish Tapas Restaurant take care of you to sample the best of Spanish food and wines.

Photo Credit :  Dominic’s pics

JW Marriott is the new place in Shenzhen, offering its luxury and high-class hotel services to both Shenzhen guests and locals.  And what would a quality hotel be if it does not have excellent dining places to satisfy its guests’ palates?  Here are the new restaurants that are being featured with the equally new JW Marriott in Shenzhen.

If you’re in the mood for some Japanese food, then the Shizuku restaurant is the place for you.  Offering traditional Japanese cuisine such as sushi and tepanyaki, going Japanese in China is made easy.  Shizuku serves lunch and dinner for people hungry for Japanese delicacies.

If you want to try Chinese cuisine, then it’s ManHo Restaurant for you.  Here, you can order your noodles and, of course, the ever-present Dim Sum.  The restaurant is also proud of its wide selection of Chinese liquors and wines.  ManHo is ready to serve guests for lunch and dinner.

If you prefer a little something of all, then the Café Chinois is ready to serve you.  The restaurant serves international cuisines, so there’s definitely something for everybody.  The restaurant serves food buffet style and is open for breakfast until dinner.

Another new restaurant offering international cuisine is The Lounge, which is also open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It also has a Great Concept Room for special functions and gatherings.

If you want a good cup of joe and some light snacks to go with it, then JW Marriott has the Java+ Coffee House as one of its newer restaurants.  Here, you can order freshly brewed coffee, cappuccino, and you can also get sandwiches and salads for a light meal.

As you can see, JW Marriott in Shenzhen has a lot of delectable dining places to offer in its premises.  You get the great services of the hotel and the great food establishments to go with them.

Photo Credit : markehr