Honest Bao

Happy Christmas, guys! 🎄 Time put down the chopsticks occasionally when the festive season rolls around. This week, I swapped the soy sauce for some European flair at The Ivy in Birmingham. Is The Ivy Actually "Posh" or Just Very Good at Wallpaper? I’ve been to The Ivy a few times (different branches) now. It’s the "Old Reliable" of the UK dining scene—the kind of place you take your parents when you want them to think you’ve finally made it in life. It’s decent, reasonably priced for what it is, but usually about as "groundbreaking" as a pair of socks for Christmas. Too fusion for me I was genuinely shocked by how rammed it was. I booked a Sunday slot easily enough online, but when I walked in, it was 90% full. Clearly, the Christmas spirit (or just the lack of washing up) was in full swing. One thing you can’t knock is the decor. They clearly spend a fortune on it. It’s got that high-end, "I should probably be wearing a better shirt" vibe, eve...

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...

As you know from my last update, I’ve been staying in Taipei for a few days. Now, normally I’m all about that succulent pork belly life, but I couldn't help but notice that Taipei is absolutely crawling with vegetarian options. Scrambled egg with mushroom Honestly, I used to have this stereotype that Chinese veggie food was strictly for the "grandparent" demographic or the local temple crowd. Boring, bland, and a bit grey, right? Well, Taiwan has clearly had a word with itself and completely rebranded the whole "leaf-eater" vibe. The new spots are chic, modern, and honestly quite cool. The dishes are anything but traditional. I popped into two of them to see if they could win over a meat-lover like me. Fried rice with a unique seasoning First up was Veggienius(不葷主義). Word of warning: you absolutely have to book ahead because this place was buzzing like a London pub on a Friday night. The food was genuinely decent, featuring some proper funky seasonings that you ...

When someone mentions "buffet," your mind probably conjures up images of lukewarm, vaguely-Chinese food trays and a general sense of regret. But hold onto your chopsticks, because East Asia’s buffet game is a completely different. We’re talking next-level quality, and prices to match. This time, Honest Bao scaled the ultimate peak in Taipei to review what might be the city's highest and most expensive buffet... and I'm here to tell you if it's the absolute best. Great view on Taipei city This place is seriously popular, so ditch your spontaneous dinner plans. You must book in advance, and here's a cheeky little catch for you international travellers: they tend to charge foreigners a tad more since you typically have to use a booking agent like Klook to snag a spot. Once you're in, though, prepare to be impressed. The restaurant sprawls across the entire floor, and the variety of food is absolutely monumental—it easily dwarfs any buffet spread I've enco...

The temperature is dropping, the daylight is shrinking, and let's face it, turning on the heating now feels like setting fire to a wad of £50 notes. But fear not, there is one glorious solution to our cold and budget woes: a steaming, bubbling hot pot. It’s a warm, communal hug in a bowl, and the perfect excuse for a hearty, hot meal. Honest Bao zipped around Birmingham to pit two major Chinese hot pot players against each other. Who's bringing the true heat? Haidilao Hot Pot: The Luxury Liner 1 free broth per person Haidilao isn't just a restaurant; it's a global Chinese franchise that treats dining like a five-star event. It's famous (or perhaps infamous) for its over-the-top customer service—we’re talking free board games for the waiting crowd and even complimentary manicures (probably not in the UK though)! While a full pampering session isn't exactly a prerequisite for my mid-week dinner, the staff's dedication to service here is truly superior. Decent ...

As you know, the Birmingham Chinese Quarter is seeing a mini food court explosion, and The Arcadian Food Court is the newest kid on the block trying to muscle in on the action. I went in with high hopes, ready for a feast, but left feeling... well, let's just say my bao bun was frowning. This place is packed with Chinese cuisine – think Dim Sum, Siu Mei (roast meats), rice noodles and a Korean spot as well. The physical space is actually decent. It’s not overly cramped, and the staff are zippy fast at clearing tables, which is always a plus. However, in this day and age, their most unforgivable sin is the mobile signal blackout and the complete lack of Wi-Fi. Are we dining or entering a digital detox prison? Sort it out, people! The Half-Assed Claypot Rice Caper 🍚 Disappointing rice I ordered the Clay Pot Rice, a classic Hong Kong dish where rice is slow-cooked in a clay pot, resulting in a glorious, golden, crispy crust . My version was, to put it politely, half-assed. The rice m...

Alright, people, let's talk about Korean Fried Chicken (KFC). Not that KFC, though frankly, some of my previous experiences in London have made me wish for Colonel Sanders' original recipe just for some consistency. My relationship with UK-based Korean fried chicken has been… complicated. I’ve dipped my toes in a few spots – I remember Wing Wing a while back, and the newer kids on the block like KoKoDoo, and even some independent joints. The verdict? Meh. It is a decent fried chicken in London but just not something I will eat again The usual suspects: batter thicker than a London fog, chicken that seemed to have gone through a dehydrator, and seasoning so aggressive it felt like a flavour attack rather than a flavour profile. I get that KFC is meant to be bold, but when the sauce or seasoning completely overpowers the actual chicken, you’ve lost the plot. It’s supposed to be a harmonious dance, not a flavour wrestling match where the chicken tap-outs in the first round...