What so special about the HK Old-school Steak House? 金鳳大餐廳 Golden Phoenix

Ask anyone in Mong Mok where to get a steak, most will probably answer Golden Phoenix.

To set expectations straight, Golden Phoenix shouldn’t be uttered in the same breath as Mortons or Ruth Chris. It is a steakhouse that is familiar to Hong Kongers - a taste that is associated with home. It is characterized by not only the food but the ambiance, and menu.

Golden Phoenix is an establishment which has been in this Mong Kok location for over 50 years. They also have another location in Tsim Sha Tsui.

As you can see from the decor, the style also hasn't evolved much since that era. As with any "Hong Kong western restaurant", the set up is with typical cart seats with a few round tables. The recognizable red brick walls remain as its most common characteristic throughout the years and are adorned with spherical lamps.

As expected, the menu is simple. The signature dish is steak on a sizzling plate. While they serve other dishes such as curry beef brisket, the reason for your journey should be the sizzling plates.

As with all meals served in Hong Kong style western restaurants, the meal starts with a soup and a bun. This comes either a cream soup or tomato borscht. Again, but the focus so nothing to write home about.

Next our protagonist arrives on a sizzling plate. Here we have the T Bone on the hot plate. As you can see, portions here are generous based on Hong Kong standards and at a very reasonable price. Extra garlic on top will set you back another $2HKD, but well worth it. On arrival the server will offer you either garlic sauce or pepper sauce which they will pour on top of the hot plate. Hence the term - sizzling plate. You're advised to use a napkin to prevent the sauce from splashing onto you.

The steak texture itself is quite different from the western ways of preparing beef. The meat feels tenderized which gives it the distinctness of a Hong Kong steak.

If you are in the area, it's definitely worth the experience. A steakhouse such as this is indigenous to Hong Kong and unlikely that you will find this anywhere else in the world.

Address:

G/F, 102 Lai Chi Kok Rd, Mong Kok