www.youtube.com/embed/mjA_s_afqjs

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Discovering Hong Kong’s Hidden Culinary Gems with Korean Food Show ‘Ttoganjip’

Get ready to embark on a delicious adventure through the vibrant streets of Hong Kong, as popular Korean food show ‘Ttoganjip’ (또간집), hosted by the charismatic 풍자 (PungJa), takes on its first-ever overseas special! In this exciting episode, 풍자, known for her genuine reactions and witty commentary, dives deep into Hong Kong’s local culinary scene, venturing beyond tourist traps to uncover the city’s best-kept gastronomic secrets.

First Impressions and a Mission for Authentic Flavors

풍자 starts her Hong Kong journey with refreshing honesty, admitting her unfamiliarity with Hong Kong cuisine. “Hong Kong is my first time,” she exclaims, “I’ve heard it’s a city of taste, but I don’t know anything about Hong Kong’s representative food!” Driven by a mission to find truly authentic 맛집 (delicious restaurants), she declares her goal: to explore beyond mainstream recommendations and tap into local knowledge to discover Hong Kong’s hidden culinary treasures. With the support of the Hong Kong Tourism Board and a local interpreter, Michelle, 풍자 sets out on her 맛집 hunt, ready to explore night markets and back alleys if needed.

Navigating Hong Kong’s Culinary Landscape

The episode hilariously captures 풍자’s initial struggles and triumphs in navigating Hong Kong’s food scene. From practicing basic Cantonese phrases like “Nei Ho Ma” (안녕하세요 – Hello) and “Um Goi” (음꺼이 – Thank you/Excuse me/Here you go), to comical attempts at getting locals to recommend restaurants, her journey is filled with relatable moments of cultural immersion and foodie determination. The bustling city, packed with skyscrapers and hidden eateries, becomes her playground as she seeks out recommendations from street vendors, local families, and even shopkeepers.

Unveiling Hong Kong’s Must-Try Dishes and Restaurants

Through persistence and a lot of charm, 풍자 and her team uncover a series of remarkable restaurants, each offering a unique taste of Hong Kong. Here are some highlights from her 맛집 journey:

퐁생앵 (Pong Saang Ang): A Local’s Favorite for Wonton Noodles

Recommended by a 건어물 (dried seafood) vendor, 퐁생앵 becomes 풍자’s first stop. This local eatery is renowned for its Wonton Noodles and Milk Tea. 풍자 is initially surprised by the unique texture of the noodles, comparing it to 해파리 냉채 (jellyfish salad) rather than typical chewy noodles. She raves about the fresh shrimp wontons and the distinctive taste of authentic Hong Kong milk tea, noting its rich, slightly bitter, and non-dairy-like flavor.

• Dish Highlights: Wonton Noodles, Milk Tea
• 풍자’s Rating: Highly recommended for a truly local experience.

샤워 도우 (Sour Dough): Exquisite Pastry Egg Tarts

Next, a recommendation from a local mother leads 풍자 to 샤워 도우, a bakery famous for its Pastry Egg Tarts. Despite initially claiming not to be a fan of pastries, 풍자 is blown away by the exceptional flakiness and unique texture of these egg tarts. She emphasizes the “바사사사삭” (crispy) sound and the perfect balance of creamy custard with a hint of orange jam.

• Dish Highlights: Pastry Egg Tart
• 풍자’s Rating: A must-try dessert, surpassing even Korean egg tarts in crispiness and flavor.

해피베이커리 (Happy Bakery): Local Pineapple Bun Delight

A chance encounter with a friendly Hong Kong couple introduces 풍자 to Guangdong-style Pineapple Bun from 해피베이커리. She learns the local tip of pressing the bun before eating to enhance its chewy texture. 풍자 describes it as a supercharged version of 소보루빵 (Soboro bread), with an intensely sweet and crispy topping and a surprisingly chewy interior. She also tries their Cream Corn Pastry, a local favorite.

• Dish Highlights: Guangdong-style Pineapple Bun, Cream Corn Pastry
• 풍자’s Rating: Pineapple Bun is a delightful local snack at an incredibly affordable price.

마카오레스토랑 (Macau Restaurant): Homestyle Macau Cuisine

Recommended by a Korean resident in Hong Kong, 마카오레스토랑 offers comforting and flavorful Macau-style dishes. 풍자 indulges in Stir-fried Beef Noodles, praised for its rich flavors and balanced spices, Pork Steak Bun, a surprisingly simple yet delicious sandwich, and 똥랭차 (Dong Leng Cha), a refreshing Hong Kong-style iced lemon tea.

• Dish Highlights: Stir-fried Beef Noodles, Pork Steak Bun, Dong Leng Cha (Hong Kong Iced Lemon Tea)
• 풍자’s Rating: A comforting and delicious spot, perfect for experiencing Macau-influenced Hong Kong cuisine.

아렁카레 (Ah Lung Curry): Unique Hong Kong-Style Curry

Acting on a recommendation from a Cartier employee, 풍자 discovers 아렁카레, a 40-year-old restaurant serving Hong Kong-style Curry. The curry, resembling 닭볶음탕 (Korean braised chicken) in appearance, surprises 풍자 with its intensely flavorful and uniquely Korean-spicy profile, despite being distinctly Hong Kong in style. She opts for the Beef Brisket Curry with Rice.

• Dish Highlights: Beef Brisket Curry
• 풍자’s Rating: A must-try for curry lovers, offering a comforting and surprisingly familiar yet unique flavor.

죽가장 (Juk Ga Jang): Hidden Gem for Spicy Crab

The ultimate recommendation comes from her interpreter, Michelle, leading 풍자 to 죽가장, a seafood restaurant specializing in Spicy Crab with Chili. This dish, a Hong Kong culinary staple, features crab fried with garlic and chili flakes, creating an explosion of flavors. 풍자 is particularly impressed by the addictive sauce and the freshness of the crab. She also enjoys a side of stir-fried Chinese chives with dried shrimp.

• Dish Highlights: Spicy Crab with Chili, Stir-fried Chinese Chives with Dried Shrimp
• 풍자’s Rating: The absolute best, a must-visit restaurant showcasing the essence of Hong Kong cuisine. The Spicy Crab is so good, some customers reportedly bring containers from Korea to take the sauce home!

A Culinary Journey to Remember

풍자’s ‘Ttoganjip’ Hong Kong special is a delightful exploration of the city’s diverse and delicious food scene. From local noodle shops to hidden bakeries and authentic seafood restaurants, she uncovers 맛집 that truly represent the heart of Hong Kong cuisine. Her genuine reactions, combined with the vibrant backdrop of Hong Kong, make this episode a must-watch for food lovers and travel enthusiasts alike. Prepare to be hungry and inspired to discover your own hidden culinary gems in Hong Kong!

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