Two outstanding Shanghainese / Pekingnese meal in Hong Kong - One Healthy, One Not So!!

[Charles Yu]

Part 1: Healthy Option Dinner at Shanghai Fraternity Association.

A group of old University buddies with friendship spanning over a few decades had a re-union dinner at Shanghai Fraternity Association in Central. This is one of the most popular 'member only' establishment offering excellent Shanghainese cuisine.

A set menu for 9 was pre-arranged by one of my Doctor friend with most dishes leaning towards the more healthy option. They included:

Appetizers: - Chopped Shanhainese greens with minced seasoned
preserved tofu
- Crispy fried eel strips with black vinegar and honey glaze.
- Drunken Squab in Xiao Xing Wine
Soup: - Double boiled whole Yuan Nan Ham Hocks with Free Range
Boiler chicken and Chinese Nappa Cabbage
Entrees: - Stirred fry Sugar Snap Peas with diced Yuan Nan Ham
- Poach shredded Baramundi filet with sweet preserved shredded
Gerkins
- Sponge wrapped Honey Glazed Yuan Nan Ham and fried
Yuba skin.
- Xiao Lung Bao and Vegetable dumplings.
Dessert - Minature glutinous balls with fermented rice wine.

A very delicious and healthy meal with a minimal of fried dishes designed for the lady spouses amongst us. Its been such a long while since I have a chance to savour my favorite Yuan Nan Ham, presented in a number of different options!! The sweat peas and the Ham wrapper were undoubtedly the star of the evening. XLB was comparable to places like Din Tai Fung.

These set the stage for a similar meal the next day featuring more 'un-healthy' but equally delicious options!

[K K]

Yeah this place and Soh Jeet are very good members only type restaurants. Don't think I've eaten here again since I was a kid! "Far East" was another great one in Central, heard the chef re-opened a restaurant after he moved to Vancouver.

Chinese Club and Chariot Club also do very tasty food, though not as upscale in nature, but you also have to know a member to eat there.

[Jon914]

I can also vouch for SFA. I didn't like it the first time I went, but the second time, it was spot on on all counts. I'm happy to hear the call out for the sweet peas + ham dish, which I love. I don't see a photo of it up there, so I've attached my own for any curious reader.

@ KK - Agree that Chariot Club is also pretty yummy. What do you like there?

[K K]

I only had two things at the Chariot Club as it was my first visit (and I did not take any pictures). Cream of mushroom soup, and Portugese style baked ox tongue rice. They were really good, and thus fulfilled my need to have some upscale HK style western (and I thus skipped Tai Ping Koon, saving valuable stomach space for other things).

Chinese Club (Wah Seung) does a killer cup of hot coffee (Chariot Club's was nice too).

[Jon914]

Interesting, that's totally different from what I had. I've gone twice, and both times had Cantonese food including the almond soup that Yum's Bistro does (and IMO, still does slightly better).

[K K]

I believe the Chariot Club has two floors. I think I went on the lower floor that first and only time for lunch, and I dined at a section near the drums, facing the window.

[Lau]

ive heard of this place many times

looks great, but do you have to go with a member?

[Charles Yu]

Yes! But one doesn't have to be a Shanghainese to join!

[Lau]

ahh interesting, thanks!