dOonut 空氣系生甜甜圈專賣店 領展中心店 (Shenzhen, CHINA) ★★★☆☆

A couple of weeks ago, Jelloman brought me some nama donuts from dOonut 空氣系生甜甜圈專賣店, a freshly opened doughnut shop in Futian that’s been making waves with its almost-impossibly airy doughnuts. Today, it was my turn to return the favor.

I decided to take the afternoon off to enjoy a few hours of game time at some of my favorite arcade centers in Shenzhen but right before diving into game mode, I made a little detour for some doughnuts at Link CentralWalk (領展中心城).

"Dark side of the Moon" — A limited-time only offering featuring a runny black sesame glaze.

The black sesame glaze was everything I hoped for. Nutty, rich, and just the right touch of bitterness to keep things interesting. The pocket of milk mochi in the center added a nice, chewy contrast. The dough was decent but missing that signature nama fluff that makes these doughnuts feel almost weightless.

Right after I enjoyed the doughnut, it was time to enjoy some un-interrupted game time.

Food Rating: 5.5/10

Price: ¥¥

Address: Shop RG013E, G/F, 3 Fuhua Road 1st, Futian, Shenzhen, China

深圳市福田区福华一路3号领展中心城 G层 RG013E铺

Closest Metro Station: Convention & Exhibition Center station (會展中心)

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

BluHouse at Rosewood Hong Kong (Hong Kong, CHINA) ★★★★☆

Finding the right place to celebrate a co-worker’s birthday is never easy — somewhere casual but not too casual, somewhere with good vibes and even better food. Thankfully, we happened to be heading through Tsim Sha Tsui for a meeting, which gave me the perfect excuse to revisit BluHouse.

It’s been a few months since my last visit and to be honest, that meal didn’t exactly leave a lasting impression.

Vitello tonnato — This was my favorite dish from last time — and it still is.

The cold roasted milk-fed veal, sliced paper-thin, was silky and delicate, lovingly coated with a rich, umami-packed tuna sauce. The addition of Pantelleria capers and toasted nuts gave it just the right amount of pop and crunch. A textbook vitello tonnato — and then some.

Guancia di manzo — Melt-in-your-mouth tender beef cheek came resting on a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, surrounded by root vegetables, mushrooms, and a glossy red wine sauce that brought everything together. Comforting, hearty and deeply satisfying.

Tiramisu — I didn't like the tiramisu last time around. Way too much ladyfinger and not enough lift. And that's always bad news for a "Lift me up".

This time, perfectly balanced. Just the right amount of espresso-soaked ladyfinger, layered with creamy lightness of "eggnog" Zabaione and a generous dusting of dark cocoa powder on top. A timeless Italian dessert done right — finally.

I’ve dined at BluHouse a few times now, but this was the first time I genuinely enjoyed the full experience — from the food and service to the relaxed yet stylish ambiance. Maybe it was the occasion, maybe the kitchen found its rhythm — either way, this visit has me thinking it might just be worth coming back a little more often.

Food Rating: 6.5/10

Price: $$$

Address: G/F, Rosewood Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

Closest Metro Station: Tsim Sha Tsui / East Tsim Sha Tsui

Tel: +852 3891-8732

Opening Hours: 11:30am - 10:30pm daily

Maru Kyou Tsuen Wan 麵屋丸京 荃灣店 (Hong Kong, CHINA) ★★★☆☆

Maru Kyou (麵屋丸京) has been on my radar for a while now. A tonkotsu specialist with a growing footprint across Hong Kong, it’s carved out a loyal following. The small lineup in front of their Tsuen Wan branch is enough to pique my curiosity every time I walk by.

This afternoon, I happened to be in the area for a late lunch — and for once, no queue. A rare quiet moment, so I slipped in for a quick solo bowl.

The shop offers three versions of its tonkotsu broth — the classic rich and flavorful one, a spicy rendition, and a 'clear broth' version that looks more like a consommé than your usual pork bone soup.

Clear Broth Tonkotsu Soy Sauce Ramen (清湯豚骨醬油拉麵) ($78) — The name alone had me intrigued and slightly puzzled. Tonkotsu is usually synonymous with thick, creamy, collagen-rich soup, while shoyu ramen is known for its clear, umami-laced broth. So what happens when you combine the two?

As usual, I took a quick sip of the broth before enjoying the noodles. Light, yes. But also deeply savory, with a sweetness that hints at hours of slow-simmered pork bones. It had that layered, lingering flavor of a good dashi, while keeping things clean and refined. A subtle kind of indulgence.

The noodles were on the thinner side, with just the right amount of bite. They soaked up the broth like a sponge, making every slurp count.

The marinated soft-boiled egg was textbook perfect.

I loved the bamboo shoots — thick-cut, sweet, and meaty.

The only blemish was perhaps the charsiu. While decent, it could’ve used a bit more fat to soften the texture and better melt into the soup.

Still, I walked away impressed. This bowl was everything I didn’t know I needed — flavorful yet restrained, rich in essence but light on the palate. Definitely one to come back for. 

Food Rating: 6/10

Price: $$

Address: G/F, 9 Chong Tai Street, Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong

Closest Metro Station: Tsuen Wan

Opening Hours: 12:00pm - 3:30pm, 6:00pm - 9:30pm daily

LMO Freshly Baked by Richard Ekkebus (Hong Kong, CHINA) ★★★☆☆

I have already scouted LMO Freshly Baked by Richard Ekkebus at Landmark quite a few times in the past months looking for some night snacks for everyone. The bakery shop spun off by Richard Ekkebus, the culinary mastermind behind Amber has garnered serious attention since its opening but I couldn't seem to find anything I like during my previous visits.

But tonight, when I came home from work and there it was — casually lounging on the sofa like it owned the place!

A box of danish from LMO Freshly Baked, courtesy of one of the good parents who dropped by earlier in the day.

 

Three of the four danish came with fresh fruits on top. I had the one with diced pineapple which was pretty decent although the pineapple was a little more on the dry side for me.

Big thanks to the thoughtful parents who left this behind — you saved me from yet another bakery detour and spared my wallet in the process.

Food Rating: 6/10

Price: $$$$

Address: Shop 237 2/F, LANDMARK Atrium, 15 Queen's Road Central, Central, Hong Kong

Closest Metro Station: Central

Opening Hours: 8:00am - 8:00pm daily

Mayflower Andaz Shenzhen Bay 五月花 深圳灣安達仕酒店 (Shenzhen, CHINA) ★★★★☆

Lately, there’s been a growing buzz around Mayflower (五月花) at Andaz Shenzhen Bay (深圳灣安達仕酒店) with local KOLs touting it as one of the must-visit French dessert spots in the city. Naturally, with my well-documented sweet tooth and a soft spot for pretty pastries, I couldn’t resist dropping by after our dim sum lunch at the neighboring Shenzhen Bay MixC (深圳灣萬象城).

The moment I stepped through the doors of the hotel’s dessert café, I was greeted by a glistening pastry counter — a curated lineup of delicate tarts and mousse cakes, each one looking more photogenic than the last.

The offerings strike a nice balance ranging from fruity, nutty, and tea-based profiles, which made the selection process a little more interesting than your usual patisserie fare. No predictable rows of Paris-Brest or opera cakes here.

We placed our order and immediately settled into the dining area waiting for the magic to begin.

That didn't take long.....

Almond and Thai-style black tea cake (泰式紅茶杏仁蛋糕) (¥88) – As a fan of Thai milk tea, this was a no-brainer.

A simple marriage of Thai-style black tea mousse and almond sponge cake. I thought the tea flavor was surprisingly subdued, a little too subtle for something that promised bold Thai tea notes. 

Oat crepe layer cake, fig (燕麥無花果千層蛋糕) (¥88) – This one featured the in-season figs.

A mille crêpe with layers of oat-flavored crepes, light cream, and fig jam, stacked with care and topped nicely with a pool of fig compote (and a big chunk of it). This was much better.

Having tasted Mayflower’s pastries for myself, I can finally see why it’s getting all the attention. There’s a clear focus on refinement and creativity, with an inclination towards concept-driven desserts rather than just replicating the classics. Is it the best French patisserie in Shenzhen? It’s definitely in the conversation.

Food Rating: 6.6/10

Price: ¥¥¥¥

Address: 2600 Keyuan South Road, Nanshan, Guangzhou, China

深圳市南山区科苑南路2600号

Closest Metro Station: Houhai (后海)

Tel: +86 (755) 8139-0067

Opening Hours: 9:00am - 9:00pm daily

Map: https://j.map.baidu.com/2e/PHZk

Caan by OUR MixC Shenzhen Bay (Shenzhen, CHINA) ★★★★☆

After our dim sum lunch at Tao Tao Ju Premium (陶陶居 · 臻品), we figured a little post-lunch stroll would help walk off the indulgence — and with Shenzhen Bay MixC (深圳灣萬象城) being much larger than we originally expected, there was plenty of ground to cover.

It didn’t take long before we stumbled upon Caan by OUR, a Korean casual dining concept from the same team behind OUR Bakery — one of my absolute favorite bakeries in Seoul. Of course, I quickly got over to their bakery section to see what they've got in store for me.

They weren't the cheapest baked goods around but it's worth the heavy price tag.

Jelloman and I each got something we like.It was no surprise that I zeroed in on their injeolmi cream croissant (羊打滾), filled with creamy injeolmi (Korean rice cake) custard in the middle. 

The bakery café also offers a small selection of Korean inspired salad, pasta and pizza which looked intriguing enough to warrant a return visit. A proper sit-down meal here is officially on our radar.

I can really see us falling in love with this gigantic mall. It is directly connected to the metro, seamlessly linked to the Talent Park (人才公園), and even features an open-air Wave Garden that’s already drawing a stylish, laid-back crowd.

Injeolmi cream croissant (羊打滾) (¥28) – It was my third time having this flaky croissant with injeolmi custard filling, but unfortunately, it was ruined after getting stuck in my backpack the entire day. It wasn’t as pillowy as it should’ve been — but I guess that one’s on me.

 

Price: ¥¥¥¥

Address: Shop BB115, Zone B, Level B1 Shenzhen Bay MixC, 3213 Keyuan South Road, Nanshan, 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B1层B区BB115号铺

Closest Metro Station: Houhai (后海)

Tel: +86 18124770966

Opening Hours: 10:00am - 11:00pm daily

Map: https://j.map.baidu.com/70/d4Pk

Tao Tao Ju Premium Shenzhen Bay MixC 陶陶居 · 臻品 深圳灣萬象城二期店 (Shenzhen, CHINA) ★★★★☆

It’s been almost two months since we last gave Shenzhen a proper visit. Life got in the way but in the past few weeks, the buzz surrounding the soft opening of Shenzhen Bay MixC Phase Two (深圳灣萬象城二期) in Nanshan district reached a tipping point — and curiosity got the best of us.

With all the chatter about its upscale offerings, we figured it’d be the perfect excuse to get re-acquainted with the city. Much like Phase One, Phase Two leans heavily into luxury retail and refined dining experiences, and while some shops were still under construction, the mix of indoor and outdoor promenades made it a pleasant space to stroll through — clean lines, open air, and that unmistakable new-mall energy.

By the time we wrapped up our walk, it was close to 11:00am just in time for an early lunch. And where better to indulge than at our go-to dim sum spot: Tao Tao Ju (陶陶居).

Founded in 1880, Tao Tao Ju is a name that carries serious weight in the world of Cantonese cuisine. With over 40 branches across China now, their Premium (or 'Zhenpin' 臻品) series is a more elevated version of the brand, featuring premium seafood and a more refined dining setup. 

Before we even stepped inside, we were greeted by a wall of fish tanks, showcasing the day’s live seafood. A not-so-subtle reminder that freshness is the name of the game here.

This branch nestled inside the new MixC spans two full floors and can seat over 100 guests comfortably.

Signature Hong Kong style milk tea (招牌港式奶茶) (¥22) – Of course, we kicked things off with a bottle each of their famously silky milk tea. No sharing here — it’s too good for that. 😆😆

Steamed minced scallop and sea urchin dumpling in chicken stock (雞湯玉帶金魚餃) (¥39) – A new dim sum that wasn't available when I last visited TTJ at One Avenue. The dumpling was delicately packed with shrimp, scallop and sea urchin, resting in a light chicken broth. Not bad, although the sea urchin was more of a cameo than a star.

Tao Tao Ju jumbo prawn dumpling (陶陶居大蝦餃) (¥36) – A classic. Each dumpling packed with not one, not two, but three whole prawns. Juicy, bouncy, and everything you want from a proper har gow (unless you want it in bite size).

Barbecued pork "snowballs" (叉燒雪花球) (¥30) – Another new item on the menu. 

Arguably one of the most pleasant surprises. Inside the chewy glutinous rice skin flavored with kale, you’ll find char siu and mushrooms, finished with a savory-sweet sauce. Comforting and inventive.

Steamed hairy crab (大閘蟹 三両) (¥68) – Yes, it's hairy crab season!

Jelloman wasn’t going to miss out. Though this one came with fewer roes than expected, it was enough to scratch her itch.

Stir-fried choy sum with lard (豬油渣爆炒菜心) (¥43) – Crunchy, fragrant, and the perfect green to cut through the rich proteins.

Pan-fried crispy rice flour rolls (特色脆皮腸粉) (¥36) – Another new item but one that we could definitely do without. The rice rolls were more on the tough side, although the preserved cabbage (梅菜) and pork filling was a nice touch.

It felt good to be back in Shenzhen, re-immersing ourselves in its ever-evolving dining scene. Even though little nugget couldn’t join us this time (two more days of exams left, hang in there, buddy! 😄😄), we’ve already made plans to return next weekend as a full team.

With MixC Phase Two now officially on the radar, there’s no doubt Shenzhen is stepping up its game — again.

Food Rating: 6.9/10

Price: ¥¥¥

Address: Shop B190, Zone B, Level B1 Shenzhen Bay MixC, 3213 Keyuan South Road, Nanshan, 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B1层B区B190号铺

Closest Metro Station: Houhai (后海)

Tel: +86 (755) 8382-8865

Opening Hours: 9:00am - 9:30pm daily

Map: https://j.map.baidu.com/f3/WcIk