Samantha Tam is a lecturer at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s school of hotel and tourism management and runs a catering workshop, Heimao Foods. She spoke to Andrew Sun.
I was born and raised in Hong Kong. My mom is Shanghainese and a terrific cook so I grew up watching her in the kitchen.
I was exposed to non-Chinese foods during cooking lessons in school. I had a very good teacher.
Mrs Thomas was Scottish and she set a very good foundation for Western cooking, especially her focus on being organised, neat, tidy and clean. That is how I teach my students now.
Simple local food is my comfort food. I went to school around Kowloon City, so we often go for Chinese desserts at Tei Mou Koon Dessert (47 Fuk Lo Tsun Road, Kowloon City. Tel: 2382 5004). Now they are always busy. One night I took a taxi there – only to find everything was sold out.
My family loves Chong Fat Chiu Chow Restaurant (60-62 South Wall Road, Kowloon City. Tel: 2383 3114). We love traditional old shops where everything remains the same including taste and presentation.
I also like Indian Chopsticks (19 Kwun Chung Street, Jordon. Tel: 2563 4600). It’s a small place. The owner used to be the Indian head chef at the Hong Jong Jockey Club. I think a lot of chefs come here after work.
Around work, my most frequented place is New Big Light (Shop G36, Peninsula Centre, 67 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Tel: 2641 4188). Sometimes you just want a simple wonton noodle. The congee is also good. They are a no-brainer when you are busy.
My parents are members of the Shanghai Fraternity Association (1-3/F, South China Building, 1 Wyndham Street, Central. Tel: 2524 9246) so whenever we want authentic Shanghainese, we go there. It is very reliable.
For visitors, fresh seafood in Lei Yue Mun or Sai Kung is good, but I try to bring them inside the Aberdeen Wholesale Fish Market early in the morning. You might need to fill out an application ahead if you want to take photos inside.
The seafood restaurant inside, Yee Hope Restaurant (Aberdeen Wholesale Fish Market, 102 Shek Pai Wan Road, Aberdeen. Tel: 2177 7872), is like the workers canteen. But you can just buy your own seafood, then bring it there.
If I won the lottery, my splurge celebration would be at The Chairman (3/F, The Wellington, 198 Wellington Street, Central. Tel: 2555 2202), but these days it might be easier to win the lottery than get a reservation here.
Outside Hong Kong, I love a Kyoto cake shop called Grains de Vanille (486 Kagiyacho, Nakagyo ward, Kyoto. Tel: +81 75 241 7726).
When the local ladies go, they all order three or four cakes, then share, because every day they have more than 10 varieties and they all look so appetising. I have gone there days in a row. Everything is light, delicate but complex in flavour combination.
