Loaf On

In Sai Kung for the day and my friend pulled out his Michelin Restaurant Pocket guide. We chose Loaf On and enjoyed our lunch, however in my humble opinion if I had read that Loaf On had a Michelin Star, then I would believe it.
It’s ok don’t get me wrong; food was very good, service was Ma-​Ma-​day la, setting ok too.
I’d go back with a bigger group to taste more dishes, but for the price I’m not convinced it’s as good as it should be.

When in HK, you must find the Holy Grail of Seafood in Sai Kung district called Loaf On! I would never have found this place if it weren’t for my foodie aunt who lives in HK. She has been dining at this find establishment for quite some time and has become familiar with the managers there. Of course, during our visit, she took us there to eat one of the best meals I’ve ever had.
I don’t mean to knock any Michelin star restaurants, but I’ve been to a few that I was unimpressed with. However, Loaf On really deserves to be Michelin rated because of their innovation, technique and finesse in preparing some of the best dishes you can’t find elsewhere. Not only do they use the freshest ingredients (since it’s located on «Seafood Street»), but the way they cook the ingredients are innovative and nothing I’ve ever experienced before. It’s fine dining at it’s greatest. I cannot even express how impressed our party was with just the veggie dishes. Everything was cooked beyond perfection, with minimal sauces/​spices. The true flavors of the main ingredients/​seafood really shine.
This is the first time I had fresh wasabi wood ears. It was served cold as an appetizer. Not only was the wasabi flavor subtle, but it was so delicious you couldn’t stop eating it. The salt and peper tofu was the true testament of achieving a technically difficult dish. Never had we had super silken soft tofu cut in large rectangular blocks battered and fried ever so lightly. I cannot fathom how the tofu does not fall apart during frying. The batter was thin and crispy with just enough salt and peper flavor. Razor clam with vermicelli in clay pot was so delicious. The vermicelli was crispy from cooking inside the hot clay pot. It was also my first time having a steamed red rock fish that wasn’t swimming in soy sauce! The fish was cooked just right — tender but also well seasoned with ginger and scallions with salt and light oil. There was so much flavor that soy sauce wasn’t needed. We had humongous steamed scallops with garlic and vermicelli. Again, fresh, fresh, fresh! Last but not least were the mantis shrimp. Amazing!!! Beautiful presentation and made to be easily removed from the shell. Meat was sweet and melted in our mouths! Last but not least, were the veggie dishes. Pea sprouts were cooked in rice water, which was so yummy and healthy.
A pretty penny for a meal like this, but worth it when in HK. Ambiance is modern and classy. Service impeccable. Guaranteed to be one of the best meals you’ll have in Sai Kung!

Came here a couple of times and will definitely come back again shortly. Fish soup was very good as always. Hakka dish was a good surprise.

Loaf On serves Excellent Cantonese seafood in an authentic Hong Kong setting. All the fish (and chicken) was very fresh, well prepared, and delicious. The service is typical Hong Kong service and I probably will never be able to see a fish head as desirable food, but the experience and food overall was very good. I would definitely return (with another local who can order for me).

Loaf On was awarded 1 michelin star for the past couple years. If I could demote them from the star, I would. I’ve definitely had better seafood than this, even in Sai Kung.
Fish Soup — Pretty good I suppose. Just like the type I grew up with
Pepper Tofu — I’m not a big tofu fan but my friends were not impressed. I thought it was alright, dipped with the sauce
Razor Clams with Black Bean Sauce — Eh, I’ve had better. SLIGHTly over cooked
Steamed scallop with garlic and vermicelli — I have this dish all the time, and this one sucked. I can cook a better one! the Vermecilli lacked flavour and they can use a lot more garlic and spring onion ;) the scallop was actually overcooked too. shame!
Lobster with soy sauce E-​mien — You can ask for it to be done two way, but we opted for one way. Somehow we didn’t find the claws? It was alright, the lobster didn’t really have the fresh lobster taste. The noodles lacked flavour. I’ve had better
Pepper Abalone — This is the perfect way to waste an abalone. stick with steamed please!
Boiled Fresh Shrimp — One of the best dish, probably because it doesn’t take any skill to cook! Fresh, at least they got that one right!
Fried Chicken — Pretty good dish, we were stuffed by then though!
Vegetable with bamboo fungus — Standard, it would be hard to go wrong with this.
All in all, it was very average. $ 533 per head, we had 7 people, price isn’t astronomical, but I can pay the same and have a tastier seafood meal elsewhere. Needless to say, I was disappointed especially the michelin star totally raised my expectations.
***
Tip: Steamed seafood is best. No parking, street parking only. Make a reservation, they get booked fast
Favourites: Fresh Shrimp. Nothing really stands out though. Clean bathroom?
Meh: Overpriced and not worth the trek.
Last words: Chuen Kee is cheaper.

This Michelin recommended seafood restaurant has always been full during weekends. I was on annual leave last Friday and wandering at Sai Kung and found that it was not full this time. Feeling casual and high in cholesterol (post Christmas symptom), me and my mum have ordered some simple dishes. The signature fish soup is exceptionally good and fresh **highly recommended** The soy sauce noodle is chewy and just good. The signature salt&pepper deep fried beancurd is yummy too. The staff are very friendly, they rearranged us to the 3^rd floor from the 2^nd when they know that there is a better seat by the window, so we got a good view and had a great lunch under the sunshine.

3 people ordered 8 dishes.
potato soup — it is good, but nothing special.
Razor clam — their signature, it’s a bit spicy, very flavorful, i enjoyed it a lot.
pepper abalone — the flavor is not bad, but the abalone is too chewy.
red cod — very fresh, i ate the entire fish
soysauce noodle — worst noodle i’ve ever had. very oily and not crispy.
fried ribs — it’s ok. i feel it’s very americanized.
shrimp steamed with garlics — very flavorful. i can eat the whole plates.