I was invited to lunch at The Art of Canton in Causeway Bay by my aunt and uncle, along with their family, my brother, and his family. It was the only time during our trip that we could all catch up, so we made the most of it over a shared meal.

As expected, my uncle and cousin took charge of the ordering. The meal was a mix of traditional yum cha favourites and à la carte dishes. Before we knew it, the lazy Susan was packed with food—it all came out incredibly fast.

Some, if not all, of the dishes included:

• Barbecued Spanish chestnut-fed pork

• Signature Baked Shredded Turnip Puff

• Deep-fried milk custard

• Steamed Cantonese sponge cake

• Pan-fried chive dumplings

• Steamed pork and crab roe siu mai

• Steamed shrimp dumplings (har gow)

• Deep-fried shrimp spring rolls with yellow chives

• Cilantro beef rice rolls

• Crispy bean curd with bamboo charcoal

• Marinated pork knuckle with Hua Diao rice wine

• Deep-fried chicken

• A plate of stir-fried hor fun

It’s hard to describe the experience when so much food is laid out in front of you, but a few dishes definitely stood out. The barbecued Spanish chestnut-fed pork was beautifully seasoned with a lovely charred edge, and the siu mai had just the right texture and bite.

Another unexpected highlight was the crispy beancurd with bamboo charcoal—it had a light, crisp coating and a silky, smooth centre that was unlike anything I’ve tried before. The deep-fried milk custard was another favourite: creamy, smooth, and subtly sweet. The har gow and shrimp spring rolls were also delicious, and I have to give special mention to the deep-fried chicken—succulent inside with perfectly crisp skin.

Overall, it was a really enjoyable lunch made even better by being surrounded by family. It was special to catch up with everyone in Hong Kong over such a generous spread. That said, I’m not sure I’d go back—The Art of Canton is a very good restaurant, but with so many amazing and more casual food options around Hong Kong, I tend to prefer simpler, more laid-back spots. Still, for a family lunch, it was a fantastic meal and experience.

Website: Art of Canton

Address: Shop 1001A 10/F Times Square, 1 Matheson St, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong