Dai Pai Dong (Elbow Macaroni)

> Location : Across from G/F 21 Gough Street,
Central, Hong Kong
> Cuisine : Tomato soup macaroni
> Tel. # : N/A
> Website : N/A

Once extremely popular in Hong Kong, "dai pai dong's" legacy still lives especially around Central and Sham Shui Po areas. There are still some scattered throughout Hong Kong but not as much as it use to be. You don't know what "dai pai dong" (大牌檔) means? Well, in literal translation, it means "big license stall." Confused? Well to be more clear, dai pai dongs are simply open areas (usually outside and not enclosed by a building), with fold up tables and seats, serving some quick, cost-friendly and tasty dishes! Usually, places like this are never pleasant environment wise because it's situated in cheap/narrow streets. However, if you find the right place, the aroma and the fantastic food will make you forget the environment for good!

The dai pai dong I'm about to talk about is a bit different among others. Most places serve a variety of stuff from breakfast egg/ham and toast to typical Chinese dishes. Yet, the one I'm talking about now is mainly a tomato soup base noodle. Tomato soup? Yes, every order is a large (and I mean it too) bowl of tomato soup (tomatoes still visible) with choice of elbow macaroni (main highlight), instant noodles, or rice noodles. You get to choose two items to go with your bowl such as hot dog, spam, ham sausage, pork chop, slice beef, chicken wings and various others (just ask them!). Additional items will cost more. Each bowl is about $28 HKD.

Realistically, it is really a simple item. But the sweetness of the tomato soup goes really well with the elbow macaroni or instant noodles (I have never tried it with rice noodles but to my knowledge, it wouldn't be better than the previous two). Along with ham sausage and spam (my personal favorite combination), this is the simplest yet greatest bowl of noodles ever! I've tried almost every item (e.g. hot dog, spam, etc), and I can concur they are all fresh, good and just like what you expect it to be. Usually, people's concern for dai pai dongs are its cleanliness in its food. As for the place I'm talking about now, you need not to worry!

Besides tomato soup noodle, they also have some great crispy toast sandwiches. The sandwiches aren't very big (the cost justifies its size) are spread with butter and you can ask for anything inside your sandwich such as pork chop or spam or whatever you desire. You don't want meat? You can definitely just get some crispy toast with butter, sweet condensed milk spread, honey or other yummy toast spread! They are very flexible so just customize it the way you want! Since its Sheung Wan/Central area, if you decide to sit down instead of getting takeout, try to go before 12:30 PM if you want a seat! The place is quite popular and it's actually right across from Kau Kee (the famous clear soup beef brisket noodle restaurant/check out my review!). There's a decent amount of seating area (at least 25 +).

Consistent. That's one word that applies to this place too. I've had this place multiple times and it's consistent with their ingredients every time. There isn't much left to say but if you're in the area and you want to try something simple yet good, go to this dai pai dong which is right across from Kau Kee!

< 4 out of 5 >