Maks Noodle is a Hong Kong institution, said to serve the best wanton noodle soup on the whole island. Founded by Mak Woon Chi, who started the very first branch in Central during the Second World War, the recipes originate from 1920’s Guangzhou. So we were obviously keen to go there!
Mak’s started with an open street stall, and has now expanded to 6 branches all over Hong Kong, and is said to follow the traditional recipes and methods handed down through generations.
We came across the branch at The Peak on a day’s sightseeing adventure. It was a beautiful crisp day and the mist had lifted, so we decided to take the Peak Tram up the mountainside to see the view from the top. It’s a bit of a rickety journey up there – and we were a little bit disappointed to arrive at the top and find ourselves in yet another shopping mall. But venturing outside we took a look round, admired the view and went into the Galleria opposite – where we stumbled across Mak’s.
Ready for a snack before heading back down, we were excited to try a soup that came so well recommended, and it didn’t disappoint. I chose the shrimp wanton noodles in soup – which came up piping hot and looking gorgeous. At Mak’s the soup is served in a quite small bowl, which is perfect snack size. Apparently the small bowl stops the noodles becoming soggy and is the way they’ve served the soup for decades.
There is a range of condiments on the table but I didn’t add anything to my soup – I wanted to taste it exactly as it came.
The broth was clean and clear, tasting of pork, and full of springy thin noodles. They were perfectly cooked – a little al dente and topped with silky smooth plump wantons full of shrimp and a little mushroom. It was a little bowl of heaven, reviving and nourishing and exactly the right size. I loved it and ate every last mouthful!
I also loved watching the soups and wantons being made in kitchen at the back of the store – the highest quality ‘fast’ food I’ve ever had.
The kitchen was a slick operation, getting soups out to waiting customers with speed and quality, I could have watched them for ages!
I’d highly recommend a visit to Mak’s and you don’t have to go all the way to the top of the peak, there are 5 other locations to choose from.
Words and pictures by @LadyLavish
