2014 Hong Kong Well Wishing Festival @ Lam Tsuen

Earlier last month, I went to Lam Tsuen (林村) in Tai Wo (太和) with a friend for the 2014 Hong Kong Well-Wishing Festival (2014 香港許願節).  The weather wasn't superb but it didn't damper our spirits.  Lam Tsuen was a lot easier to get to than I originally anticipated.  All you need to do is to take the train to Tai Wo station exit A then take minibus 25K and it will get you right there at the front gate!  (Tell the driver you are going to Lam Tsuen or follow the crowd if you are going during the festival!)

a checklist of wishes, how convenient!

Halloween Fun @ Ocean Park (2013)

Completing draft blog posts from last year is becoming like a "bring-down" event for me... LOL!!!  Hopefully I will have most travel related (i.e. time sensitive) posts uploaded before Chinese New Year...

Hizen-ya (肥前屋) vs Hamamatsu-ya (濱松屋)

If you try to look up "best una-don in Taipei", these two restaurants will probably show up on the top search.  Of course, I didn't miss a beat when I was in Taipei earlier and went to both places so I can compare.

Hizen-ya (肥前屋) 

Hamamatsu-ya (濱松屋)

Candied Roselle (洛神花蜜餞)

Before the roselle season ended, I bought some more roselle so I can tried this candied roselle recipe.  It was extremely easy to make and mine turned out to be a success in my first attempt!  I can't wait to make them again next year when they are in season again.

[Hong Kong] Lab Made Ice Cream

If you like gimmicks and ice cream, Lab Made is the perfect place for you.  How many other ice cream places out there can say they make ice cream with liquid nitrogen?  (They claimed to be Asia's first.) Their flavors are forever changing and they serve some of the wackiest flavors I can ever dream of - Tofu Pudding or Hong Kong Custard Bun anyone?

My friends and I went there a while back after dinner at a Vietnamese place (the place was just ok so I am not even going to blog about it - I only blog about places I've been that's popular but overrated, unusual in some way, or places that I really enjoyed...  I don't have time for "average"... hahaha~)

The menu, the flavor rotates every month

The "lab scientist" whipping out ice cream made with liquid nitrogen

Why so serious?

Mint Chocolate Chip
(薄荷朱古力脆脆)

Everything except the Mango Gelato
It's too normal of a flavor to be enjoyed here!

The HK Crispy Toast is a very unique ice cream flavor
and probably can only be found in Hong Kong!

Update (April 2014):

Went back for the Anna Sui promotion~

Looks lovely, taste is alright.
The Purple Sweet Potato wasn't very sweet afterall
but I appreciate they did not add a lot of sugar
and retained the natural taste instead :)

The purple rice is another very unique flavor
I doubt you can find it anywhere outside of Hong Kong
Even within Hong Kong, this is the only place that I know that serves it!

The most "normal" flavor and actually a repeat from my last visit
(I didn't even realize it until I saw the pictures now)
I am still loving it :)

Update (May 2014):

Ever since they opened their TST location I have been going to that store more (it's more convenient for me).  Their endless flavor is one of the reason why we keep going back!

Chinese Beancurd Desserts
Another signature and I never knew you can turn it into an ice cream
Loved the gingko!  They must have did something to it
Roasted?  Fried?  Either way, it was very crispy and again unique!

Another repeat but somehow this one was insanely good
The HK Crispy Toast was good but less memorable last time.

At HK$40 a pop, it's pretty steep even for liquid nitrogen ice cream.  I think it's worth to try at least once for the concept but I doubt I would be a regular here.

Lab Made Ice Cream  

Tai Hang Main Store: 6,Brown Street, Tai Hang
大坑總店地址：香港，大坑，布朗街，6號。
Hours：(Tues - Thurs) 3:00 pm to 12:00 am, (Fri) 3:00 pm to 1:00 am, (Sat) 1:00 pm to 1:00 am, (Sun) 1:00 pm to 11:00 pm (Closed on Mondays)

TST Shop: G/F, Junction of Kimberley Road and Carnarvon Road, TST)
尖沙嘴分店地址：九龍，尖沙嘴，金巴利道和加拿分道交界地下

Hours: (Mon - Thurs) 12:00 pm - 12:00 am, (Fri & Sat) 12:00 pm - 1:00 am, (Sun) 12:00 pm - 12:00 pm