Lunch @ School Food

在銅鑼灣時代廣場的School Food由開張至今吸引了不少人遠道前往，是近來最多人龍的餐廳之一，等候時間長達2小時。School Food主打菜式跟大部份韓國餐廳不一樣，它的店名源自是韓國學校門外受學生歡迎的傳統韓式街頭小吃如Kimbap（韓式壽司）和Topokki（韓式年糕），而這些小吃正正是這間餐廳受歡迎的原因。它的韓式壽司 (Mari) 的確款式出眾，且每碟製作得很有心思，如校園花卷 Blooming Mari (HK$62) 和烏卒卒卷 Squid Ink Mari (HK$68) 都很有韓式地道風味，值得一試。其他菜式如地獄辣醬年糕 Street Topokki (HK$62)真是如菜名般辣，特別適合愛辣人仕。午餐要每人大概＄150到＄300。

If you are looking for the next glamorous fine-dining Korean restaurant, this is not it.  In fact, it is the opposite - it is small, crowded and noisy.  Located on 13/F in Timesquare's Food Forum, School Food doesn't advertise glamour in any way, which is a complete deviation from the traditional norm in Hong Kong.  But at the same time, it is one of the most raved about restaurants in the city right now with its unbelievable line-ups (for up to 2 hours waiting time) and it seems like the entire Hong Kong misses "school". 

The name "School Food" refers to the little food stands outside Korean schools selling popular Korean street food to students like kimbap ("seaweed rice") and topokki. The restaurant was decorated like a modern school canteen, thus it was small and cozy with wooden desks and chairs. After the failed previous attempt with C's friend Timon to the restaurant, we came with Jen at 11:40 a.m. before it's opened, and we were surprised to see that there's already a line-up outside. After about a 20-minute wait, the restaurant was finally opened and we were allowed to be seated.   As its first customers, we were told by the staff to pick our own tables. Despite the long queues, the service was polite, attentive and efficient.  Lunch was reasonably priced at around $150 to $300 per person. 

(1) We started with the Street Topokki (HK$62) which was made of Korean soft rice cake in red soy bean paste.  The texture of the soft rice cake was authentically tender and moist, however, the spiciness was definitely too overwhelming for us to handle.  Although we were warned about the level of spiciness when we ordered, this degree of hotness was beyond our imagination and it was definitely recommended for spice-lovers!

(2) The Blooming Mari (HK$62) was filled with deliciously marinated bulgolgi beef wrapped in rice and egg, which was alluringly flavourful and nicely sweet.  Whilst the presentation was gorgeous, the taste of the dish was also light and homey with a bit of Korean flair! 

(3) We ordered the Squid Ink Mari (HK$68) which proved to be another enticing dish.  The creamy rice in black ink colour and and fried calamari rolled in roasted seaweed boasted clean but attractive flavours.  The mixture of different flavours elevated the richness and freshness of the dish, making it a dish to be remembered! 

Overall remarks:  School Food is dedicated to capture the essence of the authentic and traditional Korean street-style food and ambiance.  The portion of the dishes was also quite generous for its price.  If you are still convinced that it wasn't worth lining up for hours, at least try it for their take on kimbaps as these seaweed rolls (or "Mari") certainly reign as the most creative and fascinating comfort food you would find in Hong Kong -- they are the "School Food" you don't want to miss. 

Food: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Ambience: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Service: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

INFO

School Food 
Shop 1302, 13/F, Times Square, 1 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay 銅鑼灣勿地臣街1號時代廣場13樓1302號舖
Telephone: 2480 3666