一樓半 Knock Cup One Avenue 卓悦中心店 (Shenzhen, CHINA) ★★★★☆

The food scene in Shenzhen is getting more exciting by the minute. I was scrolling through social media looking for ideas for where to have breakfast before my spa treatment in Futian.

Lo and behold, I stumbled upon a single, eye-catching dish that instantly got me hyped.

Located in One Avenue (卓悦中心), just across the street from where I’ll be having my spa treatment, 一樓半 Knock Cup is a modern bistro focused on fusion and charcoal-grilled dishes.

And the dish that really made my mouth water wasn’t a typical savory breakfast item. It was a Basque cheesecake!

Salted egg yolk black truffle Basque cheesecake (咸蛋黃黑松露巴斯克蛋糕) (¥45) — This was a little frosty and melty, like ice-cream.

Between two layers of truffled cream cheese, there was a thick slab of salted egg yolk “mousse” in the centre. It was finished with a rich, intense salted egg yolk ganache on top.

As I went through spoonful after spoonful, I realized there was another ingredient in the mix: duck meat. That added yet another texture to the savory-sweet dessert — very unique and innovative. No wonder it’s sparking a frenzy on social media these days.

This, by itself, is already worth a trip to Futian!

Food Rating: 7/10 (Based on the cheesecake only)

Price: ¥¥¥

Address:  Shop L151, East Zone, Level 1 One Avenue, Fuhua Road, Futian, Guangzhou, China

深圳市福田区福华路卓悦中心商场东区1层L151号铺

Closest Metro Station: Gangxia (岗厦)

Tel: +86 18588252694

Opening Hours: 11:30am - 12:00am daily

Map: https://j.map.baidu.com/e8/JbMM

Il Laboratorio del gelato Shenzhen Bay MixC 深圳灣萬象城店 (Shenzhen, CHINA) ★★☆☆☆

We had a lot of food today (again), and with our bellies totally stuffed, we took a slow walk towards Houhai Station (后海站). Little nugget had been browsing left and right the whole time, and it didn’t take long for him to spot something that caught his eye — a gelato shop from New York City.

It was a pretty warm day, so I could totally understand his need for something thirst-quenching. When we stumbled upon Il Laboratorio del Gelato & Caparesh, he made his own choice though I’ll admit his choice of gelato left me scratching my head.

As soon as he found out his favorite vanilla flavor wasn’t available, he went with a scoop of Fuji apple sorbet and toasted coconut gelato (over the NY cheesecake!). I don’t get this!!! 🤔🤔🤔

I thought this was slightly disappointing. The apple sorbet had a bit too much acidity for my liking and the toasted coconut was topped with far too many coconut flakes. Not good.

Food Rating: 5.2/10

Price: ¥¥¥

Address: Zone B, G/F Shenzhen Bay MixC, 3213 Keyuan South Road, Nanshan district, Guangzhou, China

深圳市南山区粤海街道海珠社区科苑南路3213号深圳湾万象城B区

Closest Metro Station: Houhai (后海)

Tel: +86 19075333387

Opening Hours: 10:00am - 10:00pm daily

Map: https://j.map.baidu.com/e3/G9kM

TamKoKo Shenzhen Bay MixC 泰柯茶園 深圳灣萬象城店 (Shenzhen, CHINA) ★★★☆☆

Shenzhen Bay Mixc (深圳灣萬象城) in Nanshan has quietly become the favorite landing spot for some of the city’s hottest newcomers in the food scene. Not long ago, Chun Tian Tea Company (椿田熟成茶行) utilized its prime location as a launchpad for its successful debut in Shenzhen. Now, the latest buzz on social media belongs to TamKoKo (泰柯茶園) — another new member of Pink Street (粉紅大街), a fresh extension at Shenzhen Bay Mixc bringing together some of the city’s trendiest cafés, restaurants, and boutiques under one roof.

TamKoKo is a popular Thai tea brand in China, celebrated for its deep, flavorful Thai tea base and standout toppings like salted cheese and durian. Since I’m not a fan of durian, I went with the drink named “Thai Milk Snow Top” (泰奶雪頂) — an English name I made up on the spot. 😆😆

"Thai Milk Snow Top" (泰奶雪頂) (¥24) — A rich Thai milk tea topped with salted cheese, plus a generous swirl of Thai tea milk-cream soft serve. It’s been one of the most popular — and most Instagrammable — drinks in Shenzhen these days.

With Pink Street gaining momentum, it could be the next destination for some of Shenzhen’s most exciting new openings in the months ahead. Stay tuned.

Food Rating: 5.8/10

Price: ¥¥¥

Address: Shop B1-30, Pink Street, Shenzhen Bay MixC, 3213 Keyuan South Road, Nanshan district, Guangzhou, China

深圳市南山区深圳湾万象城B区粉红大街B1层B1-30号

Closest Metro Station: Houhai (后海)

Tel: +86 18138225060

Opening Hours: 10:00am - 10:00pm daily

Map: https://j.map.baidu.com/e9/yDkM