With the weather getting cooler, its that time again to enjoy eating outdoors. Some of these places include the fresh seafood restaurants of Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, there are three main areas to eat fresh seafood, Lamma Island, Sai Kung and Lei Yue Mun. In the past, I’ve eaten in all three areas a few times, but then after a bad experience in Sai Kung (food had lots of sand and I thought they cheated me with the bill) and a so-so experience in Lei Yue Mun (food was only so-so), the last few times, I have only been to eat at Lamma Island, and it looks to stay this way for a long time.

I have read several times, that people have been cheated etc… but I think if you’re smart about it, you will be fine. I think the main point is to stay away from those foods that are quoted as ‘market price’ since you really have no idea how they calculate this. Usually, this concerns the lobster and fish dishes.

Rainbow Seafood Restaurant actually have their own free ferry service from Central and TST to Lamma Island. You should call ahead and make a booking. The timetable and phone number is on their website here: http://www.rainbowrest.com.hk/eng/timetable.asp. When you arrive at the pier, just find the designated person to note your arrival and they will give you a sticker and let you know when the ferry arrives. The free ferry is only for dinner from Monday to Friday, whereas Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays, there is a free ferry for both lunch and dinner. It takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour to arrive.

You can order your food at the water tanks to see what kind of fresh seafood they have that day. At the same time, they have foods other than seafood on their menus.

Boiled Shrimp (白灼中蝦) – The shrimp were steaming hot when they came out and were very fresh and sweet. Sometimes I like to dip it in a soy sauce and chili mixture, but this was so nice and juicy that it wasn’t necessary.
Fried Bamboo Clams with Black Bean Sauce and Chili (豉椒炒蟶子) – Normally I prefer the smaller ones which are about 10cm long. This time they only had the big ones about 20-23cm long. In any case, the clams were fresh with a nice texture and tasted great with the black bean sauce and slight spice (you have to eat the chili to get some spice though).
Steamed Scallops with Garlic and Vermicelli (蒜蓉粉絲蒸扇貝) – This is always my favourite dish. The scallops are fresh and the supporting cast of garlic, vermicelli, green onions and a bit of oil mixed together just delivers in taste. Although usually one per person is good, I usually order two for myself!!
Steamed Garoupa (清蒸石班) – The fish was fresh, but I thought that it was slightly overcooked. Still the meat at the tail-end (best part of the fish in my opinion) was still very nice and slippery.
Baked Lobster in Superior Sauce (上湯焗龍蝦) – Order the lobster off the menu at menu price. There is no need to order the lobster that is stated at ‘market price’. Certainly, those are supposed to be the bigger ones, but I think you will find that your bill will also be significantly more expensive. Just ask for a menu, and order the one off the menu with a stated price. Now back to the food. The lobster was nice and fresh as the meat was very juicy and succulent. Because it was fresh, it really did not need the sauce that it came with (but I’m not saying that the sauce was bad… it just wasn’t necessary).
Rainbow Special Fried Rice (天虹炒飯) – The fried rice is a mix of shrimp, BBQ pork, egg and green onions. It really isn’t anything special, but there to fill your stomach if the seafood hasn’t already.

Just as a point of reference, this meal for 4 (lunch) was about $250 per person and we could not finish the fried rice. They also provide free fruit at the end of the meal.

Recommended:

• Boiled Shrimp (白灼中蝦)
• Steamed Scallops with Garlic and Vermicelli (蒜蓉粉絲蒸扇貝)

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Rainbow Seafood Restaurant
G/F, Shops 1A-1B,5,16-20,23-24, First Street, Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island
2982 8100