New openings include Phat Cat Laundry, Xiao Ya Tou, Birds of a Feather and more trusty favourites
Small in size but big in flavours, “tapas” or rather small plates menus, have grown in popularity here in recent years. This comes as no surprise, for sharing food is a very common practice in Asia. Just think about the amount of tze char restaurants around town. Plus, you get to try a bit of everything without filling up. We present 8 restaurants and bars serving up the best Asian and Chinese cuisine with modern twists..

Birds of a Feather Crispy Gyoza and Fortune Skewer in Szechuan Pepper Broth
Birds of a Feather
Chow Fun Restaurant and Bar
With Chow Fun Restaurant & Bar’s 18 inventive Asian and Western-inspired noodle in small plates (think boat noodles), all priced at $2.90 each, you won’t need to ponder too much—just order everything! Winning over our hearts were the spicy soy ginger glazed pork belly bibim guksu as well as the Kung Fu Dashi Broth, inspired by Singapore’s well-loved bee hoon. The eclectic eatery also offer bar grubs like creamy fish roe fishball ($6.90) to go with their all-day happy hour. #01-08 The Grandstand, 200 Turf Club Road. Tel: 6464 6900
Phat Cat Laundry’s Brontosaurus Char Siu Beef Rib
Phat Cat Laundry
Phat Cat Laundry stands out in design with quirky laundry boxes and comic strips lining the wall. Using Asian ingredients in both their cocktail and food offerings, diners can look forward to cheeky dishes like truffle prawn egg rolls ($14) as well as tea-infused cocktails ($22) like Black Tea + Beragmot featuring Earl Grey creme gin, rich syrup, hand-pressed citrus and egg foam. Not to be missed is the Brontosaurus Char Siu Beef Rib ($25) that’s slow-cooked for 18 hours then baked, making the meat moist and tender with every bite. 4 Jiak Chuan Road. Tel: 6221 8262
Full of Luck Club
Aside from dishing out hearty steamed buns and scrummy modern cantonese dishes, Full of Luck Club also has an impressive line-up of Asian-inspired bevvies. On the shelves are interesting Hong Kong craft beers like Gambler’s Gold ($15.80) and Hong Kong Beer ($11). Innovative concoctions are also available like the wing chun kick ($14) made with dried chrysanthemum-infused rum, goji berries, fresh lime juice and mint. 243 Holland Avenue. Tel: 6208 6845

Red Tail’s Scotch Century Egg
Red Tail
Loyal Zouk patrons will be pleased to know they’ve opened their first restaurant and bar, Red Tail. The contemporary Asian sharing plates are nothing short of excellent, with favourites such as the Scotch century egg ($9) that’s wrapped in prawn and Kurobuta pork mince before being deep-fried. Another stellar dish is the seabass nori taco ($29) served with dried pickled gourd, ginger and a hint of malt vinegar mayo. Created in partnership with Proof & Co., the craft cocktails are tip-top too. We recommend Fancy Uncle ($22); a smooth concoction of blended whisky with Earl Grey tea, spiced honey apple syrup and lemon. #01-04 Clarke Quay Cannary Block, 3C River Valley Road. Tel: 6738 2988
Boruto
This two-storey sake bar has over 44 scrummy hot and cold tapas, each boasting a unique Japanese twist. Perfect on a rainy day is the Zuwai gani sausage ($30.80), where sweet crab meat is encased in sausage filling and served on smoky crab bisque and toast. Truffled Hiyashi somen is also a crowd favourite with its intense truffle flavours that’s paired with caviar and crisp sakura ebi. #01-01 Golden Castle Building, 80 South Bridge Road. Tel: 6532 0418

Sum Yi Tai rooftop bar
Sum Yi Tai
Creative Crack Snacks get us going anytime, from the salmon skin with salted egg yolk and lime zest ($9) to salt and pepper squid tentacles ($15). Signature golden ginger chips ($10) are great for sharing too. Lunch sets offer a more straightforward taste of Hong Kong, especially in the Dragon Sets ($12-18) with springy noodles and options like crispy roast pork, honey glazed char siew and roast duck. 25 Boon Tat Street. Tel: 6221 3665