This video is in Cantonese only
Bite of CUHK
Giant French Toast, Japanese Teishoku, Doner Kebab
Orchid Lodge
Orchid Lodge, located at Chung Chi College, has been popular among students and staff members since it opened 12 years ago. From multinational cuisines to budget meals, the cosy restaurant offers an array of dishes. Surrounded by lush greenery, Orchid Lodge is also a perfect spot for an al fresco dining experience.
Frances Kwan worked in a hotel before joining Orchid Lodge as the head chef. Twelve years on, she describes her encounter with CUHK as “an experience overwhelmed by warmth and kindness” that is about more than profits. “There were relatively fewer dining options on campus when I joined Orchid Lodge,” she says. “Students enjoy our multinational dishes a lot. As for our economic meals with two side dish choices, we have only adjusted the price twice over the years.
“We update the menu once every two weeks. We hope everyone dining at Orchid feels at home. I enjoy developing close bonds with students and sometimes treat them to free meals. Some students even come back in graduation gowns and we take pictures together.”
The well-known Orchid Lodge Style French Toast is a must-try signature. Made with five slices of bread, the giant French toast is perfectly deep-fried to a beautiful golden-brown colour, embellished with peanut butter and rich chocolate sauce, and served with ice-cream. Apart from this addictive dessert, students also favour the restaurant’s Homemade Beef Burger.
“We hope to serve healthy meal options,” says Frances. “Our beef and bread are freshly made every day without additives or preservatives.”
“Orchid Lodge is a place for all. From distinguished professors to inexperienced freshmen, we serve everyone with sincerity and professionalism. I enjoy my time working here. None of it would have been possible without the concerted effort of my team.”
Address: Chung Chi College (next to Ho Tim Building), The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Paper & Coffee
To many university students, a cup of coffee a day makes studying easier – and Paper & Coffee is a perfect spot for caffeine lovers. The cafe’s decor gives it a cosy, Japanese-style ambience. Students can bring their friends and savour hot meals, desserts and beverages on tatami mats together, or spend time on their own to take a break from the hustle and bustle.
“Apart from speciality coffee and quality dishes, we also provide a pleasant environment for staff and students to rest and embrace idleness,” says manager Kenny.
The cafe is known for its diverse choice of teishoku amd donburi. Kenny says that deep-fried chicken and pork cutlet are students’ favourites. The deep-fried chicken pieces, crisp and tender, are served in generous portions. “Now that it has become one of the must-orders among students, we spend most of the time preparing fried chicken pieces. All of us are experts now,” says Kenny with a chuckle. “Matcha latte is also one of our best sellers. We order matcha powder from Japan and add fresh milk to produce a perfect beverage to students’ liking.”
Vegetable Tempura (Vegan) is a recommended side dish to pair with teishoku. It includes seven kinds of vegetable: okra, baby corn, eggplant, sweet potato, pumpkin, mushrooms and green beans. The mild seasoning retains the vegetables’ original taste and matches nicely with the crispness.
Address: Room 205, Pommerenke Student Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Ebeneezer’s Kebabs & Pizzeria
This chain restaurant serving halal food is known for its Indian and Middle Eastern dishes, including pizza, curry and kebabs, allowing students to choose the spice level they prefer.
The restaurant offers a wide variety of kebabs, such as lamb, chicken tikka and falafel. Vegetarian options such as Haloumi Cheese Salad and Hummus with Pita are also readily available. To accompany them, try a Masala Tea to cut through the spice.
Address: G05, Li Wai Chun Building, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Click here for all restaurants on campus: https://www.cuhk.edu.hk/english/campus/accommodation.html
By Gillian Cheng
Photos by Amy Tam, Gloria Ng, Pony Leung
Video by Carina Chiu
