Prasant Raj Gurung is bar manager and co-founder of cafe and bar concept C108 on Old Bailey Street in Hong Kong’s Central district. He spoke to Andrew Sun.
I was born in Nepal and moved to Hong Kong when I was 13. I started my food and beverage journey at Pret a Manger. Working there deepened my love for coffee.
Both my parents are professional chefs – my mum is currently a sous chef at a Korean restaurant, and my dad was a sous chef at a hotel. I have been heavily influenced by their cooking, and I try to bring those flavours into my cocktails as well.
A culinary gem I love is Nocino (G/F, 92E Tung Lo Wan Road, Tai Hang. Tel: 6012 1098), which serves Swiss-Italian grotto foods prepared by chef Matthew Ziemski, who makes fresh pasta and sauce in-house. Whether for lunch or dinner, the place is filled with ambience.
The best part of the experience is when the chef comes out from the kitchen with a glass of red wine to toast with all the guests.
Growing up in Hong Kong exposed me to a variety of foods, which I find fascinating. One of my personal favourites is cheung fun, Hong Kong-style rice noodles, served with fish balls, siu mai and plenty of peanut and chilli sauce.
