Page 77 - Hong_Kong_&_Macau's_Best_Restaurants_English_edition

LOCAL
CHAMPION
MAY CHOW 2018

Our definition of a Local Champion is someone who has made a real contribution to
promoting or championing Hong Kong food culture, both at home and abroad—and for
the second year in a row, May Chow has proven to be a leader in this particular niche. With
Little Bao and Second Draft already cemented on the dining scene, Chow’s mission to give
Cantonese food and ingredients their time in the spotlight hit another high point with the
opening of Happy Paradise. This raucous “neo-Cantonese” bar and restaurant, resplendent
in cool neon, is an original homage to Hong Kong traditions with zero sentimentality.
Working in collaboration with chef John Javier, the pair have created dishes that firmly
plant Cantonese food into the realm of contemporary cool. Forgotten or unfashionable
dishes such as braised pomelo peel and nostalgic shrimp toast have been zhuzhed up
without losing any of their original essence, allowing locals and tourists alike to discover
more about our great food traditions.

Happy Paradise, 52-56 Staunton Street, Central, Hong Kong

RUNNER-UP
By setting up
Honestly Green,
Tong Chong
Street Market
and Poho
Market, Janice
Leung Hayes
is drawing our
attention to Hong
Kong’s local
farmers and their
produce while
supporting local
businesses.