Splendid sushi, perfect prawn toast: Hong Kong restaurant picks of adventure platform CEO


Former finance professional turned nature enthusiast Roland Sharman is the founder and CEO of HKOutsider, a platform for outdoor adventure-seekers. He spoke to Andrew Sun.

For an expat child growing up in Hong Kong in the โ€™70s and โ€™80s, the restaurant scene was not what it is now. I did not really enjoy eating โ€“ no offence to my mother, but standard European fare of meat and veg did not quite do it for me.

But we did have a tradition of going for dim sum every Sunday, where I stuffed my face with prawn toast, sweet and sour pork, and the obligatory fried rice. This was the start of my food journey.

A few years later, when I started working in finance, it was all about Japanese cuisine. I enjoyed everything in some fabulous Japanese establishments. To this day, without question, Japanese food is still my favourite.

A casual Japanese dinner spot I love is Cooshti (Shop G35, Lee Tung Avenue, 200 Queenโ€™s Road East, Wan Chai. Tel: 2796 7328). Its eclectic Asian fusion menu may not be traditional, but it is tasty. I cannot get enough of the salmon nigiri with a little sweet spice. The second-floor terrace overlooking Lee Tung Avenue is delightful and a great place for drinks. The team is also always on point.

Kingfish roll at Cooshti. Photo: Instagram/cooshtihk
Kingfish roll at Cooshti. Photo: Instagram/cooshtihk

I like Arcane (3/F, 18 On Lan Street, Central. Tel: 2728 0178) for lunch at the bar counter, watching the team do their thing. Although it is a fine-dining place, chef Shane Osborn and the team make the setting feel like family and not pretentious.

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