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The Pawn: Best Food in Hong Kong?

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The Pawn in Hong Kong is Iconic, with exquisite food

Welcome to The Pawn Restaurant Hong Kong, where history meets umami in a delightful dining experience! Housed in a historic building that once served as a pawn shop, this restaurant seamlessly blends the old with the new, offering a quirky ambience that sets the stage for a memorable meal. As you step through the doors, you can’t help but marvel at the eclectic décor, with vintage artifacts mingling with modern touches in a whimsical display of Hong Kong’s past and present: and that iconic balcony to boot.

But it’s not just the décor that’s a hit at The Pawn; the food is equally impressive and as I found out this night – incredible in fact. From traditional Cantonese delights to inventive fusion creations, there’s something to satisfy every craving.

And let’s not forget the staff—friendly, knowledgeable, and always ready with a joke or two to keep your spirits high. So buckle up and get ready for a snack attack and a half like no other at The Pawn Restaurant Hong Kong. Who knew pawn shops could be this much fun?

The Pawn Hong Kong Best Food
It seems mixed feelings re this joint from all the reviews you can read. I disagree, but maybe as I only snacked???

I happened to be working for a few days in Hong Kong.

One of those nights I had the great fortune to meet up with my mate Mark Gatenby and then a little later Steve Clark. Where did we meet. We met at The Pawn, 62 Johnston Road, Hong Kong.

Check them out;

+852 2866 3444

info@thepawn.com.hk

On the first statement of the name though I bet you are all thinking, wow that sounds seedy. Don’t think I’ll be going there. Well actually you are wrong, read the spelling. Yep, it used to be a pawn shop. This is the second iteration too, so recently taken over by a new consortium and is fronted now by a Brit Chef – namely Tom Aikens. Some serious big flavours going on in his food, and some truly great fusion ideas – check the artwork on the menus and for the logo – Japanese cherry blossom no less, perhaps why I felt so at home – Asian fusion, from a Brit who clearly likes Japan. Sound familiar???

Now again I will caveat I only went to the bar and snacked, we did not visit the restaurant. Again I will also caveat, social media is an amazing thing. You read some average reviews from individuals and then see on Pawn’s Facebook that Lifestyle Asia Magazine voted them No1, and caused them to be booked an entire month upon re-opening. Go figure. So from me no commentary on others’ views, just a representation of my experience. And I have to say my experience of this place was top drawer from decor, to the ambiance, to the food.

Now I’ll give you another example of why I think this place was amazing on the food front.

I had 3 of the beef tartare on my own. Mark had one. We ordered two more for others that arrived. We then ordered another 2 or so Scotch eggs. Mr Aikens your food went viral this night my friend. And I mean that in such a positive way. You took a bite, you wanted more, you took a bite, you shared a bite, and in turn, that person wanted more. Great place and great food, sat on 1st floor on an old shop house balcony style. Nice!!!

Apologies for photo quality – iPhone only this evening as on a work trip. But hopefully, you will get the idea.

Now I was just at the bar ordering from his snacks menu – could you see where my eyes got drawn to?

The Pawn Hong Kong Best Food

This is just the bar snack menu. When I saw this, I was very very excited. Sorry Mark I could not wait for you before I started eating mate.

Is that beef tartare?

Is that puffed pork scratching?

Are they Mini Scotch eggs, Guinness mustard, and Worcestershire sauce?

Best I have all of them then please love. Damn no pork, OK let’s go onion rings.

Starting with the latter. OK, not too bad. Nothing really stood out for me about the onion rings. I didn’t really get the expected kick of paprika etc. Don’t get me wrong they were nice, nothing monumental.

Then comes the mini Scotch eggs. Holy Cow.

The Pawn Hong Kong Best Food

Oh boy, these were good good good. A Guinness mustard dip, for these little Quail egg Scotch eggs. I think Worcestershire sauce was in the meat as that was quite tangy, perfectly crisp on the outside, moist on the inside, and then dip dip dip – BOOM. Truly wonderful. I would go back there for these!!! The picture does not do the food justice believe me.

The Pawn Hong Kong Best Food

My favorite. I had three of these buggers, I just truly could not stop eating them. AMAZINGLY good. The ingredients all sound a little whacky together, but man oh man they should all board a flight now to Las Vegas and get married quickly. They are just so great together. I will fly to Hong Kong just for this dish. You have to try it if you are there.

Raw beef of course, but tender like butter. Then add to this Juniper, then pickled Shitake mushrooms, and then coriander mayonnaise. BOOM!!! Incredible. I love you!!! Again many apologies for the photo quality – I think my hands were shaking ha ha!!!

So to close – all I would say is sometimes don’t believe the hype. Still go and have a go.

If I had read the reviews I read, I may not have gone. Then I would not have got to try these above.

As I said – I would fly back to HK just to eat these again. Without missing a heartbeat. I thought it was a truly great experience, and so did some 20 colleagues of mine that came and joined us later on in the evening – all of whom had a plate of each of the above.

Nicely done – The Pawn!!! If you enjoyed this Blog Post and want to keep up with the channel be sure to Like and Subscribe to Is Life a Recipe below for more updates!!!

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