Some places you discover with your eyes, others you taste. Hong Kong à la Carte, the new book by Davina Chang and Ada Deschanel, is one of those journeys that can be savored page after page. Part travel diary, part cookbook, this book unfolds 24 hours of culinary life, between breakfasts in a cha chaan teng, sweet snacks in a bing sutt and dinners in the bustling alleys where the territory’s best dishes are simmering.
Through 70 recipes and 20 stories, the two authors capture the taste of a vibrant place, between heritage and modernity, where every bite tells a story.
A sensory journey by Davina Chang and Ada Deschanel
Davina Chang and Ada Deschanel, authors of Hong Kong à la carte
Davina Chang, founder of the Bing Sutt café in Paris and culinary designer, shares here her deep attachment to her native culture. Alongside her, talented food stylistAda Deschanel takes a poetic look at this fascinating territory.
Together, they have created a hybrid book that is both visual and sensitive, combining emblematic recipes, personal accounts and chronicles of everyday life. Neither a simple guidebook nor a collection of classic recipes, Hong Kong à la Carteis an ode to life, flavors and the unique energy of a territory renowned for its gastronomy.
The gastronomic capital of Asia – from street food to Michelin-starred cuisine
It’s impossible to describe Hong Kong without mentioning its thriving culinary scene. Here, there’s something for every taste and budget, and you can even enjoy a Michelin-starred meal in a rotisserie for as little as €10. Don’t miss a dai pai dong, the traditional open-air stalls serving popular dishes with an inimitable taste.
The cha chaan teng, typical tea rooms, are the haunt of the locals – where you can enjoy a still-warm pineapple bun (a comforting brioche served with butter), a Hong Kong milk tea or a Sai Do Si, the famous French toast revisited in the Hong Kong style.
But haute gastronomy is never far away – with 75 Michelin-starred restaurants by 2025, Hong Kong attracts some of the world’s greatest chefs, from two-starred chef Vicky Lau to Frenchmen Olivier Elzer, Guillaume Galliot and, more recently, Anne-Sophie Pic, who have found here a unique terrain for expression.
And for lovers of immersive gourmet experiences, the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival (late October each year, on the shores of Victoria Bay) is a must – four days of tastings, concerts and discoveries where wine, street food and Michelin-starred creations come together.
Between tradition and modernity, Hong Kong remains an unmissable destination for epicureans the world over. And thanks to Hong Kong à la Carte, you can now enjoy some of this excitement from the comfort of your own home!