In the past couple of years, I have been hearing some great things about Man Ho Chinese Restaurant (萬豪金殿) and how young Executive Chef Jayson Tang (鄧家濠) shaped the restaurant into one of the best in the city. Still just 35 years of age, Chef Tang is one of Hong Kong's youngest Cantonese chefs to helm a Michelin starred kitchen.
Of course, they have to make sure that diners are aware of their lofty achievement, the Michelin star when they walk through those doors.
I have to admit, I wasn't all that impressed with then Man Ho (萬豪中菜廳) during my last visit in 2017 (this explained why we didn't make a return trip in 4 years).
It wasn't just the food that was a little disappointing last time around so I was hopeful that everything including today's service is vastly improved after they were awarded with their first Michelin star.
Some roasted cashews to whet our appetite before we started the meal. Is that matcha powder in there?
Steamed shrimp dumpling with beetroot (胭脂明蝦餃) – Pretty decent start. The sweetness of beetroot was a nice match with the shrimps. In my opinion, could have been more heavy-handed with the beetroot.
Steamed pork and shrimp dumpling with morel mushroom (羊肚菌燒賣) – Always nice to have morel mushrooms. It's one of my favorite ingredients, western or Chinese cuisine alike.
Steamed squid with garlic (金銀蒜鮮魷) – Surprisingly tender and full of garlic flavors.
Very delicious.
Steamed cod fish dumpling with soy sauce (醬油鱈魚餃) – I expected this to be a little more cute.
The sweet soy was a bit overpowering and yeah, I was never a fan of fish so it's going to take a lot to win me over.
Deep-fried spring rolls with crab meat and salted egg yolk (金沙蟹肉春卷) – I remembered having this during our last visit too and it was one of the better dim sum last time.
This came with loads of fresh crab meat packed in the middle. Could possibly go down as the best dish of the afternoon once again.
Baked minced wagyu beef pastries with mustard (芥末和牛酥) – The pastries were not crispy enough on the outside.
Could definitely do without this one (and the codfish dumpling as well).
Steamed beef balls with bean curd sheet (山竹牛肉球) – Something for little nugget. He loves his minced beef balls.
Pan-fried Hokkaido scallop in lobster sauce (龍蝦汁元貝皇) – I have been quietly looking forward to the two signature dishes, which were served following our parade of dim sum. The first to arrive was pan-fried Hokkaido scallop with a buttery lobster sauce.
I thought this was just OK. The scallop was a little bit overcooked and the lobster sauce not nearly rich and tangy enough. I did enjoy the little deep-fried "see hum" on the side.
Steamed egg with lobster fillets in saffron sauce, served with mullet roe (金影玉玲瓏) – The other signature dish we ordered this afternoon and I was expecting to be blown away. But I wasn't.
I wasn't expected my lobster fillets to be on the soft (a bit mushy) side. And with the steamed egg and lobster fillet both light in flavors, I was kinda expecting a powerful finish from the saffron sauce and shaved bottarga but that was something that they failed to deliver.
We didn't order dessert cuz everyone claimed to be really full but no problem there since we had some complimentary sweet treats from the kitchen.
Little nugget has been in a very nice mood since we entered the restaurant. You know why? Well cuz grandma brought him some new toys.
And he couldn't wait to get started.
He's getting really good at putting his legos together.
But he got really frustrated when our dim sum arrived cuz he was ordered to put his toys away until we finished.
While this was an improvement from our last visit, the experience fell short of my expectation from a Michelin starred restaurant. Maybe it's Sunday and the kitchen staff was having an off day but I expected a lot more from the two signature dishes we ordered (the dim sums were generally good). It could be another 4 years before we decide to pay another visit.
Food Rating: 6/10
Price: $$$$
Address: 3/F, JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong
Closest Metro Station: Admiralty
Tel: +852 2810-8366
Website: www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/hkgdt-jw-marriott-hotel-hong-kong/dining/man-ho-chinese-restaurant/
Opening Hours: 12:00pm - 3:00pm (Mon - Fri), 11:30am - 3:00pm (Sat - Sun), 6:00pm - 10:30pm (Mon - Sun)
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