Wineshark HK Restaurant Review - Islam Food 清真牛肉館

This restaurant which specializes in Halal food has been in business since 1950 and is definitely a landmark in Kowloon City. My memories go back to the old days of Kai Tak, when the restaurant also had a branch at Hau Wong Road that was subsequently closed down after the airport had relocated. Today I return to their only remaining outlet at Tak Ku Ling Road.

Good that we come early on the night, because soon after we have been seated there is already a queue waiting outside the restaurant. The restaurant’s décor is simple with a familiar feel of the 90s, but I believe most people would not mind as they come more for the food, and here apparently they are more targeting to the ‘no-frills’ customers.  

We start with a small Hot & Sour Soup ($40) to share, which is already of good portion for two people. It has the right balance of sour and spiciness, with plenty of ingredients, including shredded wood-ear, tofu, bamboo shoot. Taste is good, though it is only lukewarm in temperature. If it is properly reheated that would be fantastic.

The Curry Beef Brisket ($95) is actually not that spicy, with the brisket tender and easy to bite. The potatoes are also very good, cooked perfectly with a soft texture. The curry sauce is tasty and with this dish I can easily finish a whole bowl of rice.

Apart from beef, the restaurant is also good for its mutton. We have Stir-Fried Mutton Slice with Chili Pepper & Cumin ($100) which are small slices of mutton stir-fried with Chinese celery, spring onion and deep-fried garlic, together with chili and cumin, highly fragrant and mouth-watering delicious. Perfect with icy beer.

Finally, it is the Pan-Fried Beef Bun ($50). The bun has been pan-fried with a slightly crisp surface, while the inside is a beef patty that is very juicy, and in fact on the bite the juice just bursts out. Need to be careful as a result. Season very well and it is a must-try among all the dishes.

Together with two soft drinks, the bill on the night is $329 which is very reasonable. Nowadays with many people saying the local dining industry is dying, but seeing this restaurant continues to stay strong with long queues, attracting both locals plus Mainland and foreign tourists, as well as the family of South Asian descent sitting next to us speaking fluent Cantonese, warms my heart. HK is great!