Emerging Foodie | A Taste of Nostalgia in Sai Wan

Turnip Cake with Preserved Meat × Fresh Meat Chicken Bun: Savoring the Softest Flavors of Hong Kong In the bustling yet nostalgic Sai Wan district of Hong Kong, there’s a humble little eatery called "Emerging Foodie." It doesn’t boast a fancy facade, and you might even walk past it without noticing. But once you step inside, take a seat, and order a dim sum dish, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a slower-paced world. 🥮 Turnip Cake with Preserved Meat | A Fragrance Softer Than Memories When the turnip cake is served, it’s still steaming hot, clearly pan-fried with care rather than rushed out of the kitchen. There’s no accompanying sauce, but one bite is all it takes to understand: this flavor doesn’t need any extra seasoning. The shredded turnip is prominent, and every bite is filled with bits of Chinese sausage and the aroma of dried shrimp. The texture is soft and moist, with layers of flavor that light up your taste buds. This isn’t the kind of "Instagrammable dim sum," but it’s the kind of authentic Hong Kong flavor that warms your heart and quietly disappears from your plate. A dish that’s often a sidekick in most tea restaurants takes center stage here, shining brightly. 🥟 Fresh Meat Chicken Bun | A Little Universe Inside a Bun The chicken bun looks plain and unassuming, but the first bite is a revelation. The soft, fluffy exterior encases a steaming hot filling of finely minced fresh pork and tender chicken, perfectly seasoned and slightly juicy. This type of bun is becoming increasingly rare, even for locals, but it’s preserved in its entirety at this small eatery. In that moment, I felt a wave of gratitude: "Ah, so someone is still making flavors like this." Simple, honest, and free of gimmicks, it’s the kind of dish that makes you want to order another. 🛋 The Atmosphere of an Old-School Tea Restaurant | Time Slows Down Here Emerging Foodie doesn’t have stylish decor or Instagram-worthy corners, but it exudes the essence of "old Hong Kong." Yellow walls, plastic tables, silver teapots, the Cantonese tones of the staff taking orders, the clatter of spatulas, and the chatter of neighbors all come together to create a unique daily symphony. It doesn’t need embellishments; it’s already part of the story. The moment you accidentally walk in and sit down, you become part of the everyday scenery of this city. 🏠 Address: G/F, Mei Fai Building, 8 Smithfield Road, Sai Wan, Hong Kong 🚇 Tram: Kennedy Town Station, about a 3-minute walk 💵 Accepts cash and Octopus card, no photo menu, so you’ll need to observe other tables or ask the owner directly ⏰ Best to avoid lunchtime; early morning or mid-morning tea time on weekdays is the most comfortable