Where a Hong Kong bar founder eats panini, teppanyaki and French food in the city
Shakib Pasha shares the secret of Hong Kong’s best garlic rosemary fries, and where he likes to eat Japanese and French food, and panini
Born in Bangladesh and raised in Hong Kong, entrepreneur Shakib Pasha helped launch ventures such as Foxglove, Mrs Pound, Ming Fat House, Dr Fern’s Gin Parlour, beverage company Bestbev and, most recently, Sonny’s Pizza/Randy’s Hotdogs in SoHo.
I am a very inquisitive food person. I love to learn and discover new flavours and techniques. The creativity and story behind a dish really elevates the culinary experience for me.
Growing up, I ate mostly traditional Bangladeshi food – a cuisine not well represented globally. It consists of a lot of seafood and beef, usually light curries (similar to Nepalese) and a lot of pickling.
These days I often enjoy South Lane (14 South Lane, Shek Tong Tsui. Tel: 5744 8390) for breakfast or brunch. They do amazingly well seasoned food and fresh juices. I go for the Marrakesh bowl or the roast chicken with possibly the best garlic rosemary fries.
I’m a sandwich fiend and I have become a regular at newly opened Passione Panini (Shop B, G/F, Tern Centre 1, 237 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan) for lunch. They make their own focaccia and allow you to DIY your sandwich. My go-to option is the pesto, roast pepper, rocket, zucchini, parmesan and mortadella.
