Restaurant Find: Duddell’s Hong Hong
With a manifesto aimed at welcoming guests with an appreciation of the arts, it’s hard not to feel completely inspired at the impressive Duddell’s Hong Kong. Taking the concept of an art gallery and museum and fusing it with a restaurant, bar and garden terrace to become a new “social and cultural destination”, Duddell’s aims to create a space for encouraging new conversations and inspiring new creativity.
Designed by revered British interior designer Isle Crawford, the two Michelin-starred restaurant presents a refined dining experience paired with the arts; presenting art and photo exhibitions amongst its restaurant and gallery walls from artists Ai Weiwei, Danh Vo, and Adrian Wong, as well as collaborative curations by some of the world’s leading curators, Philip Tinari and Gregor Muir.
Here, where culture meets cuisine, we tried the Barbecued Iberico Pork with Honey Glaze, grilled in a traditional Cantonese oven until nicely charred and caramelized. Extraordinary. From the perfectly balanced sweetness and glazing for a slightly crisp outer to the tender body. It was pleasantly surprising to discover that the Crispy Salted Chicken was in fact prepared with locally sourced chicken on Hong Kong Island, located nearby in the New Territories. Albeit Hong Kong’s diverse culinary landscape, it is still rare to find high-quality ingredients locally. Paired with a glass of Craggy Range Pinot Noir from New Zealand (2013), the light notes paired perfectly with the meals, balancing both well.
One of the Duddell’s signature dish Double Boiled Matsutake Mushroom, Bamboo Pith, Chinese Cabbage is another must-try; a traditional soup utilizing local cabbage and double-boiled for 24 hours, executing an absolutely delicious crystal clear broth and balanced fragrance, known for its nutritional qualities. At Duddell’s, the ingredients speak for themselves and their presentation can’t be faulted. Here, no detail is missed from the attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly staff to the carefully curated artworks in each room.
The green cabbage-shaped chinaware is as delicate as the ingredients, completely complimenting the meal visually and sensorially. The beautifully obscure glass blown water glasses, white marble plate rests, red jade stone chopstick rests, and light mustard velvet lounges all add to the charming atmosphere.
Finishing with Chinese tea for digestion, Duddell’s holds one of the most unique selections of Chinese teas on offer, a reflection of their creative philosophy: “Tea, at the heart of Chinese culture, exemplifies the artistic temperament of the Middle Kingdom as well as modern days, where we wish to continue this practice”¦”
“Honest about art, serious about food.” Indeed.
Duddell’s Hong Kong
Level 3, Shanghai Tang Mansion
1 Duddell Street, Central, Hong Kong
+852 2525 9191
This article comes in cross-collaboration with our friends at Champ Travel.
 Â Joanna is the co-editor and founder of Ala CHAMP Magazine, a London and Tokyo-based biannual printed publication focused on curiosity and investigations into creativity and cultural insight. She is Tokyo-based, and co-founder of agency Champ Creative where she is Art Director and Producer, and is a contributing writer for various publications in travel, art, architecture and design. |
(All images courtesy of JIA Group Ltd / Duddell’s Hong Kong.)
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