After our 2-hour make up lesson at the Chanel Workshop (yes, I needed the crash course desperately), Shirley and I, all glammed up with layers and layers and layers of softening lotion, moisturizer, primer, foundation, concealer, loose powder, highlighter, eyeshadow base, eyeliner, eyeshadow, mascara, blush, bronzer, lip primer, lip liner and lipstick (Whoa!!! Do we really need ALL THAT?!?), we go up to Lan Kwai Fong, proud to show off our newly acquired faces.
No, not to the hip and happening bars that line the LFK streets, but to this small dingy Vietnamese joint called Pearl, where, according to Matthew, the best fried rice in Hong Kong can be found.
Yup, we’re showing off our made up faces to Hong Kong’s best fried rice!
Shrimp and pork roll 蝦仁豬肉卷 – filled to the brim with fresh veggies, vermicelli, pork and shrimps. Rice paper wrapper could be thinner and softer. Must dip this in The Special Sauce.
Fried spring roll 炸春卷 – let us try not to think about how much oil has gone into frying these rolls, because these are such tasty treats that worrying about cholesterol at this sacred moment is one of the greatest sins you will ever commit. Must dip these in The Special Sauce.
Vietnamese pork cube 蒸粉卷 – our attempt to make peace with our health after ordering another serving of the fried spring rolls. This tastes pretty decent although the skin could be a little less thick. Must pour The Special Sauce all over this.
Deep fried frog legs 炸田雞 – like fried chicken with many a fractured bone. Must dip the severely fractured chicken in The Special Sauce.
Beef with cold vermicelli 牛柳粒凍檬 – nothing great. Must pour The Special Sauce all over this.
Seafood and pork noodle soup 扎肉蝦湯河 – Shirley’s favorite. No need to pour The Special Sauce into this one. (But if you want, of course you may)
Pearl fried rice 明珠炒飯 – STOP!!! Do NOT pour The Special Sauce on this one! Okay, so this is not exactly THE best fried rice in all of Hong Kong, methinks, but I’d say it’s right up there.
Now it’s time to talk about The Special Sauce.
You see that small red pitcher in the middle of our table? (You have to scroll down first, dumdum!) That sweet-tangy-little-spicy sauce is magic. Pour it on anything and anything instantly tastes a gazillion times better. It is, I would say, the flavor of Vietnam.
Me with my metallic smoky eye makeup, Shirley with her romantic and dreamy indigo makeup, The Special Sauce, Maritess, Kristen and Matthew
Pearl Vietnamese Restaurant 明珠越南餐廳: G/F, 7 Wo On Lane, Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong. 中環蘭桂坊和安里7號地下. Tel: +852-2522-4223
