Where a Parisian eats in Hong Kong, from authentic Indian food to the ‘best Cantonese’

Eli Bitan, board chair of the Hong Kong Jewish Film Festival, shares his top dining spots in the city – one serves ‘unmissable’ bagels

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Mendel’s Delicatessen in Kennedy Town, Hong Kong sells “unmissable” bagels, according to Eli Bitan, board chair of the Hong Kong Jewish Film Festival, who shares his top places to eat in the city. Photo: Facebook/Mendel’s Delicatessen

Published: 12:15pm, 8 Nov 2024

Eli Bitan is a viewing committee member and board chair of the Hong Kong Jewish Film Festival, which opens its 25th edition on November 9.

I grew up in Paris, which is arguably one of the world’s culinary destinations, so I consider myself a foodie although I work hard to control myself.

I grew up eating my mother’s cooking, a mixture of perfectly executed French classics like coulibiac and boeuf bourguignon, as well as traditional Jewish dishes like matzo ball soup and gefilte fish.

I moved to Hong Kong over 30 years ago and it is wonderful that many of my favourite restaurants still exist. Lobster Bar and Grill (6/F, Island Shangri-la, Hong Kong, Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Admiralty. Tel: 2820 8560) has been a regular haunt since I arrived. I am also a regular at Fish Bar (7/F, JW Marriott Hotel, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty. Tel: 2810 8366).

Woodlands Indian Vegetarian Restaurant (UG 16-17, Wing On Plaza, 62 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Tel: 2369 3718) is wonderfully authentic. It has been around since the 1980s and I have tried most of the menu. I highly recommend the masala dosa.

Eli Bitan is a viewing committee member and board chair of the Hong Kong Jewish Film Festival. Photo: Eli Bitan

For an all-round Jewish experience, visit Mendel’s Delicatessen (G/F, 66 Catchick Street, Kennedy Town. Tel: 9220 4344) before taking in a film. It is very close to the Golden Scene Cinema, where most of our Hong Kong Jewish Film Festival screenings take place this year.