“Affordable, Authentic Hong Kong Cuisine”
Walking along the “Mongkok” district in Jurong Point can make one feel as if he or she has really been transported to Hong Kong. Cue the flashy neon signs, compact looking shops and street style snacks.
What better addition to this street than a restaurant named Legendary Hong Kong? Have a taste of authentic Hong Kong cuisine here without needing to step out of Singapore.
A stride into the restaurant saw brown and white tiled flooring decorated with cushioned chairs, which really reminded me of old, classic Chinese ‘cha chan teng’ and restaurants back in the day. Picture of the bustling streets of Hong Kong also hung around the cafe, reinforcing the whole Cantonese metropolitan vibe.
We started off with the Custard Crust Bun with Butter ($2.50++). It had a crispy, outer layer and a light, fluffy center. Slightly sweet and buttery, it did not feel overly filling and was a great start to the meal.
Fans of liu sha bao, or salted egg yolk buns, can switch it up for Mini Custard Crust Buns with Salted Egg Yolk ($5++ for 3), which is essentially the same, but replaces the regular white bun with their own custard crust ones. The result is heavenly.
I love salted egg yolk sauces but do not like white bread, which I feel can be too heavy and filling. The version at Legendary Hong Kong is perfect for me – sweet crispy bun with that slightly savoury gravy.
The roast meats are the ones in the spotlight here. The Crispy Pork Belly ($12.80++) on the left is salty and fragrant and has a good crunchy skin.
More popular and recognised is the London Roast Duck ($14.80++ per portion) on the right. The restaurant was the first one in Singapore that uses the award-winning duck bred in Silver Hill Farm in Ireland. Dubbed as the best in the world, Silver Hill is recognised by many restaurants.
The ducks there are fed wholesome, organic foods and exercised daily to provide the best quality of meat. It is no wonder the London Roast Duck is a best seller at Legendary Hong Kong in Singapore.
Both roast meats come with mustard and sour plum sauce for dipping. Personally, I prefer the latter, as it juxtaposed with the meats which were pretty salty.
Their Wonton Noodle in Soup ($6.80++) comprises of springy, thin noodles and wontons. The soup was slightly peppery and comforting, while the wontons were generously filled with prawns. Master Chef Ho Yum, who holds the fort at the noodles station, has years of experience at the famous Michelin-starred MAK’s Noodles in Hong Kong.
Har Gao, or Steamed Shrimp Dumplings ($5.50++) are one of my favourite dim sum dishes. I tend to get disappointed by lacklustre ones with just the prawns and no flavour. It does not disappoint here, however.
A bite into the dumpling and I could smell the aroma and taste the prawn. The skin plays a huge part too, and the ones here are not too thick, but just sufficient to wrap the filling.
Slightly charred and crispy, the Sauteed Turnip Cake with XO Sauce ($5.50++) is a nice combination of sweet and salty. The texture of the soft turnip cake contrasted well with the bits of lap cheong, or chinese sausage inside. Despite seeming to be greasy, it did not feel overly oily.
One of our two favourites for the night was the Rice Flour Roll with Deep-fried Shrimp Spring Rolls ($5.50++), with the other being the Mini Custard Crust Buns with Salted Egg Yolk. The dish is a twist from regular chee cheong fun – wrapped within the outer rice rolls were fried prawn spring rolls, which added a crunch to the usually soft outer layer. The sauce was savoury and really tasty. I will no doubt be back for more.
If you are looking for affordable, authentic Hong Kong cuisine, look no further. The menu is huge as well with over 300 dishes, with more items such as congee and Hong Kong beverages. Located in the heartlands, residents staying nearby can easily drop by for a great, fuss-free meal. If you are staying in the East though, trust me – it is well worth it to travel all the way here for the food.
Expected Damage: $10 – $15 per pax
Legendary Hong Kong: 63 Jurong West Central 3, #03-80 Jurong Point 2 Shopping Centre, Singapore 648331 | Tel: 6794 1335 | Website
