Now Roasting...at Honolulu HK Cafe, The Oldest and The Original Hong Kong Tea House

The oldest and the original Hong Kong Tea House, Honolulu HK Cafe gets even bigger at their SM Aura Premier location with a much wider space to enhance your dining experience. But it gets better, Honolulu HK Cafe now offers a selection of savory roasts like BBQ Pork, Roasted Pork, Soy Chicken and Roasted BBQ Pork Belly"Toro" including options with rice and the convenient Roast-To-Go Bento Box for a sumptuous feast. Read on and see what's new with the oldest and the original Hong Kong Tea House...

Bigger and more spacious, loyal diners will immediately notice the increased dining area and glass-enclosed section for the new roasts at Honolulu HK Cafe at SM Aura Premier. Following the latest health and safety protocols including social distancing, Honolulu HK Cafe is ready rof the new normal. The iconic cafe's founder, Mr. Yeung Jin Hei, began serving his specialty coffee using Hawaiian style roast back in 1940 hence the name Honolulu Cafe. Since then, the enduring Hong Kong tea restaurant evolved and elevated the "cha chaan teng" or tea house experience with an extensive menu of comforting Chinese quick meals and indulgent Western pastries. 

Now on its 81st year, Honolulu Cafe unveils lavish new additions to its growing menu selection (for more on Honolulu Cafe, see my earlier posts, Coffee, Egg Tarts, Bo Lo Buns and More at Honolulu HK Cafe, Now Open at SM Aura Premier on their opening two years ago and That Hong Kong Curry in Casserole at Honolulu HK Cafe... on their savory specialties also from two years back).

The glass enclosed kitchen showcasing the new selection of roasts exudes that nostalgic Hong Kong vibe as diners catch a glimpse of the preparation of each dish. Carved, plated and sauced and ready-to-serve, the succulent roasts are the perfect addition to Honolulu HK Cafe's growing menu.  

Start your Honolulu HK Cafe dining experience with their best-selling Curry Fish Balls (P 238/10 pcs) washed down perfectly with a soothing tall glass of Honey Lemon (P 120). The soft, clean and fresh notes of the familiar fish balls are given a flavorful upgrade slathered in rich curry sauce. 

Enjoyed as a snack or paired with your meal, the large Curry Fish Balls reflect the diverse menu offerings of Honolulu HK Cafe. Each bite delivers a burst of curry notes to compliment the delicate flavors of the fish balls, and ten pieces can disappear quite fast when you get down and serious with the Curry Fish Balls. Then, you're ready for more of the popular specialty dishes at Honolulu HK Cafe...

...like the Stir-Fry Hong Kong Style Noodle with Pork Chop in XO Sauce (P 268). Each noodle is draped and infused with the rich flavors of the sharp and savory XO sauce, while the tender and juicy pork chop adds the finishing touch to complete the dish. The noodles are great as is with its soft yet springy texture making this a real meal in itself. Other Fried Noodle options include the Stir-Fried Flat Rice Noodles with Beef (P 268), Stir-Fried Flat Noodles with Scrambled Egg and Shrimp (P 268), Stir-Fried Spaghetti with Beef and Enoki Mushroom in Black Pepper Sauce (P 268), Stir-Fried Noodles in Supreme Soya Sauce (P 238) and Stir-Fried Rice Noodles with Chashu (P 268 available only at Robinsons Place Manila). If you prefer noodles with soup, Honolulu HK Cafe has that covered too with their Hong Kong Style Noodle Soup with Fried Egg (P 198), Hong Kong Style Dried Noodle with Chicken in Spring Onion Sauce (P 238) and Hong Kong Style Dried Noodle with Pork Chop in Spring Onion Sauce (P 238).

One of the dishes I've always enjoyed at Honolulu HK Cafe is their specialty curry, and the Beef Brisket Hong Kong Curry in Casserole (P 328) always hits the spot. From the fork-tender beef brisket to the thick and creamy curry sauce, this dish brings layers of savory richness with each bite. The bold flavors of beef brisket pair well with the equally robust notes of the curry with its deep finish followed by subtle hints of nutty sweetness. A lighter option, the Chicken Hong Kong Curry in Casserole (P 328) is also available. But leave room for the new Barbecued Meats Selection of Honolulu HK Cafe...

New on the menu, Honolulu HK Cafe now offers savory roasts for that complete Hong Kong Tea House vibe. Displayed behind the glass enclosed kitchen, diners can choose from tempting platters to rice bowls topped with your choice of barbecued chicken or pork. Be sure to check out their Single, Double or Three Roasted Meat Treasures Set with rice for the ultimate combo. The Roasted Barbecue Pork Belly"Toro" (P 500 Regular/P 700 Large) features prime pork belly roasted for hours for that subtle smoky hint draped in a sweet glaze. The richness of the tender pork with just the right layer of fat capped by a lightly charred outer crust is tempered by the sharp sweetness of the glaze for balanced notes. And it's fork-tender, with each bite releasing even more savory notes draping the palate with its indulgent and unctuous finish. It's a premium cut, but you can also go for the regular Roasted BBQ Pork (P 400 Regular/P 600 Large) with the same sweet glaze. It's pork belly done the traditional Hong Kong way and Honolulu HK Cafe does it well. You can pair the Roasted Pork Belly "Toro" also with noodles instead of rice (just add P 30). 

The Soy Chicken (P 450 Half/P 900 Whole) is another barbecue option at Honolulu HK Cafe with the delicate notes of chicken enhanced by the sweet salty sharpness of soy. It's this contrasting blend that gives the Soy Chicken its vibrant weave of of solid flavors. Tender and juicy, each bite delivers a flavorful burst that just pops in your mouth. The new roasts of Honolulu HK Cafe give diners a taste of Hong Kong without leaving the city. 

Lightly crisp crackling on juicy pork, the Roasted Pork Belly (P 450 Regular/P 675 Large) offers yet another pork classic with clean flavors and textural contrasts with each bite. One look at the pork belly slab with its layer of crunchy crackling sliced clean without any breaks is already an indication of its perfect crispness.

One bite is announced by a bold crunch in contrast with the tender and juicy pork with thin layers of fat. A dip in hot mustard tempers the light yet rich flavors of the pork for a balanced finish. Masterfully executed, it's pork belly done right. 

But Honolulu HK Cafe still has so much more to offer, including seafood dishes straight out of their original game wining play book like the Deep-Fried Prawn with Salted Egg Yolk (P 488). The light and crisp salted egg yolk batter lays its own distinct notes followed by the snap of plump and succulent prawns delivering its subtle briny sweetness... 

...while the Deep-Fried Prawn with Thousand Island Sauce (P 488) brings a pronounced tartness with a lingering sweetness. The quality of the prawns are experienced from that first bite, firm yet tender guaranteed to have you going for another piece. And these are large prawns too. 

The play on tartness, sweetness and textures continue with the Deep-Fried Chicken with Pineapple with Jinjiang Plum Sauce (P 388), a new dish from Honolulu HK Cafe. Battered and fried to a light and juicy crispness, the bold pineapple and sweet plum sauce combine for bright notes.

Complete your meal with some of Honolulu HK Cafe's rice dishes, like the hearty Baked Rice and Baked Rice Spaghetti combos. Take your pick from the Baked Chicken Rice in Portuguese Style (P 278), Baked Rice/Spaghetti with Minced Beef Bolognaise (P 298) and the Baked Rice/Spaghetti with Pork Chop in Tomato Sauce (P 298)...

...or go for a pair of new rice dishes like the Fried Rice with Seafood and XO Sauce (P 268)...

...and the mildly sweet and fragrant Fried Rice with Seafood and Pineapple (P 238). It's fried rice with an inventive twist but they do also offer the traditional Yang Chow Fried Rice (P 238).

True to its tea house roots, Honolulu HK Cafe is also known for their fresh-baked treats like the Honolulu Bo Lo Bun (P 50), Bo Lo BBQ Bun (P 60) and Honolulu Bo Lo Bun with Butter (P 60) that's perfect with tea or coffee. Other options include the Bo Lo Red Bean Bun (P 60) and Luncheon Meat and Egg Bun (P 60).

But no visit to Honolulu HK Cafe is complete without a bite of their famous Honolulu Egg Tarts (P 50) with its creamy silky smooth egg custard on a flaky pastry shell...

...best paired with their signature Hong Kong Style Coffee (P 120), available hot or cold. 

For more than 80 years, Honolulu HK Cafe shares its own take on east meets west with their extensive menu. You'll find your old favorites...

...as well as the new Barbecued Meats Selection on the new menu of Honolulu HK Cafe. 

And if you want to bring home the new roasts selection of Honolulu HK Cafe, you can with the new Roasts-To-Go Bento Box (P 230). A complete meal with rice, soy stir-fried noodles, cabbage salad with sesame dressing and prawn crisps for take-out and delivery via FoodPanda, GrabFood or LalaFood, the Roasts-To-Go Bento Box keeps in step with the times of changing consumer habits in the new normal. Packed and sealed in ready-to-eat trays, enjoy your succulent Soy Chicken, Roasted Pork Belly or Roasted BBQ Pork at home, the office or anywhere you wish. 

And since you're set up for take-out or delivery, why not add a box of Honolulu Egg Tarts?

With health and safety protocols in place as well as social distancing enforced at Honolulu HK Cafe, you can enjoy your meal with peace of mind. As we transition to the new normal, dining at home and the rise of the food delivery culture will remain enduring reminders of the quarantine experience. And Honolulu HK Cafe adapts to changing consumer habits with their take-out and delivery options.  

And you just can't beat having some Honolulu Egg Tarts at home for an indulgent afternoon snack with coffee. Dine in, takeout or delivery, the oldest and the original Hong Kong tea house is now bigger and better with their new menu offerings.