Honest Bao

Back in England for a cold "Christmas" and New Year. It is so cold that requires more than just a puffer jacket; it requires a culinary hug. Naturally, I headed straight to Birmingham’s Chinese Quarter to find some liquid gold. So, what on earth is a "Trolley Noodle"? My all time favourite sides Before we dive in, let’s talk history. Trolley Noodles (or Che Tsai Meen) are the ultimate Hong Kong DIY comfort food. Originating in the 1950s from street vendors pushing wooden carts, it’s a "choose your own adventure" style of dining. You pick your noodle type, your soup base, and then go wild with toppings. It’s messy, it’s customisable, and it’s legendary. The Review: Hong Kong Dining (港味茶餐廳/香港車仔麵) I popped into Hong Kong Dining, a classic Cha Chaan Teng (HK-style café) that’s currently serving up these nostalgic bowls. The setup is simple: the more toppings you hoard, the more you pay. It’s a dangerous game for a glutton like me. Lots of classic sides availab...

Emerging from a cloud of steam and wok hei to bring you the lowdown on Birmingham's sneaky-good Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng scene.  For the uninitiated, a Cha Chaan Teng (or "tea restaurant") is Hong Kong's glorious answer to a diner—a place where East meets West on a plate, delivering comfort, speed, and enough stir-fries to fuel a small army. While there's no single fixed menu, you can bet your last pork floss on finding dishes kissed by that smoky, magical wok hei essence. I've been rummaging through Brum's Chinese Quarter, and let me tell you, while you can't book a flight to Mong Kok, you can find some seriously authentic CCT vibes right here. Kei Hing Restaurant: From Stall to Star Tender and well marinated with wine Now, Kei Hing is a bit of a local legend in the making. It started life as one of those humble, unassuming food hall stalls and now they've got their own bona fide setup within the food hall. And thank goodness they did. '...