HK International Airport Food: Personal Choices
After I finished the previous Review of all the eating places at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), I realized that too much information can be a bit overwhelming so I decided to pick a few of the restaurants in each of the major areas of the airport that I would choose with time on my hands.
My criteria are that it be a good value, confidence in the food itself, convenient location and time sensitivity. Based on that here are my choices. You can find their locations on this interactive map of HKIA.
Terminal One, Unrestricted, Departure Check-in Area, Levels 7 and 8.
I picked three here as it is a very popular place to see people off.
Grappa's Bar & Italian Restaurant
If I had a couple hours, I would choose this excellent Northern Italian Restaurant first. It is located on the Mezzanine (level 8). I can unreservedly recommend the restaurant based on years of patronage at their in-town locations. They have a good wine list. In the evenings a small trio plays live music.
Lost City of Snacks
With only a short time available and a minimal amount of Hong Kong currency in my pocket, I would choose this fast food outlet. Located below the mezzanine and with only six stools, this place can become crowded - the reason being it's the best bargain in the airport. Want get rid of your Hong Kong coins? Buy a BBQ pork bun or a dish of noodles. If you missed going to a dai pai dong (street noodle bar) while running around Hong Kong, this food is what you missed. How they can afford the rent with their prices is beyond my understanding.
Pacific Coffee
Located before the check-in counters on the left. Hong Kong's Pacific Coffee shops are my favorites as opposed to Starbucks and a few others. It's been around longer than anyone else and generally has better pastries and sandwiches. It also provides Wi-Fi access not available in other parts of the airport. A good spot for some of those last minute e-mails.
Terminal Two, Unrestricted, Departure Check-in Area, Levels 5 and 6 (sometimes called Sky Plaza)
As I said in the previous review, though I am familiar with some of these restaurants, I have never actually eaten in Terminal Two. I almost always check in at the Airport Express and go through immigration and Security immediately after arrival at HKIA. Interestingly, it has more restaurants than the departure area in Terminal One.
Chao Inn
Shop 033: Since it is a Hong Kong style coffee shop, I know I'll get fast service and edible food. Chao Inn offers a complete menu of Cantonese dishes, coffees and teas as well as juices and other liquid concoctions. I've not tried this outlet but I always enjoy visiting these type of places because of the hubbub and people watching opportunities.
Green Cottage Vietnamese Restaurant
Shop 032: I have eaten at The Green Cottage in town and the food was good if not spectacular. I do enjoy Vietnamese food so if I had an hour or so, I would definitely try this place. I also know that I would not leave with that stuffed feeling that I can get at Western type outlets.
Honolulu Cafe
Shop 037A: Since this outlet offers the famous Hong Kong Egg Tarts, which are a delight to eat. I would stop here if I had limited time and just wanted dessert. You can watch the bakers produce the tarts, also. Honolulu Café also offers all kinds of baked goods as well as light snacks and sandwiches. Lots of seating available.
Pret A Manger
Shop 118 on Level 5: With limited time and if I wanted a quick, but well-prepared, sandwich or salad, I would go here. My wife, Pam, and I regularly patronize our neighborhood Pret A Manger because its prices are reasonable and the food is fresh and healthy. There is plenty of seating at this location.
Terminal One, Unrestricted, Arrivals' Meeters and Greeters Hall, Level 5
This is where people wait to greet arriving passengers and I've spent some time here, myself. The choices are not great but, convenient, especially if you aren't quite sure how long it's going to take the person you are meeting to get their bags and get through immigration.
Krispy Kreme
This is my guilty pleasure choice. If my wife, Pam, is not with me, I can sneak a couple of these incredibly addicting doughnuts. Try the custard-filled chocolate frosted multi-calorie extravaganza. As mentioned earlier, it appears that Krispy Kreme doughnuts in Hong Kong contain lots of trans-fats which are not present in the U.S. products. On a positive note they offer 15 varieties with less sugar to appeal to Asian tastes.
Oliver's Super Sandwiches
If I want a sandwich, this is where I go. Oliver's Super Sandwiches shops are a favorite lunch-time destination in Hong Kong. Sandwiches are made to order and are quite good even if a little pricey. Nearby seating for this place is shared.
The Green Market
This soup and salad buffet is my wife, Pam's favorite place to wait. It also serves noodles, other snacks and gelato. It has ample seating within the shop. Something most of the other establishments in this area do not have.
Terminal One, restricted, Departure East Hall, Level 7
This is where you will want to spend your time after passing through Immigration and Security, You are in the restricted area reserved for those with tickets. Be careful to give yourself enough time to get to your gate, especially gates 34-71, where you must take the train to the Northwest and Southeast concourses.
Cafe Deco
As I mentioned in a previous review Café Deco is one of my favorite Hong Kong establishments. I would want to give myself at least two hours to eat and relax. They have a wonderfully eclectic menu featuring Western, South Asian and East Asian dishes plus an oyster bar. The only items, I cannot recommend are the pastas - very pedestrian. To provide a totally non-airport ambiance, a live band is featured Tuesday through Sunday nights. It's not often one can find such a distinguished eatery inside an airport.
Champions' Sports Bar
Whenever I am unable to access a VIP lounge and I have an hour or more to kill, I come here. In addition to a huge T.V., there are snooker and foosball tables. The menu is a typical for an American sports bar with a couple pleasant surprises like bacon wrapped prawns. They also have my favorite beer, Stella Artois, on tap along with an extensive list of bottled beers. The service is efficient and friendly.
King's Palace Congee & Noodle
If it was morning and I wanted a congee fix before heading off this would be my choice -sit-down dining but speedy efficient service with reasonable prices.
Wildfire
If I hungered for good pizza and had an hour to eat, this would be my choice. It also has a nice bar that overlooks one of the runways. In some ways it reminds me if TGI Fridays. They serve full meals and snacks too.
Terminal One, restricted, Departures, Food Junction, West Hall, Level 6
If I am concerned about getting to my gate on time, Food Junction is a good choice. You will find it at the junction of the Southeast and Northwest concourses.
Panopolis
Since time would be an issue, this would be my first choice. This branch or franchise is one of a number of international airport outlets offering sandwiches, pastries and drinks. Plenty of shared seating available.
Precious Congee
Once again, assuming I didn't have time for my Congee-fix at King's Palace, I would stop here. This outlet offers a number of variations. They also serve "rice sheet" rolls. This is a self-serve fast food outlet. Ample shared seating is available.