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    Home » World Travel

    No. 9 SBI Canteen 9號軟庫飯堂 - Softbank Private Kitchen

    Published: Feb 8, 2024 · Modified: Jan 4, 2025 by Jennifer Che

    No 9 SBI Canteen” (9號軟庫飯堂) Softbank Private Kitchen Hong Kong

    Many people who are in-the-know say that this private kitchen is one of the best Cantonese restaurants in Hong Kong. In Hong Kong!! That's quite a statement, considering how many top notch Cantonese restaurants are here.

    It's nearly impossible to get a reservation at No. 9 SBI Canteen (or Softbank Private Kitchen) if you don't know someone. The private kitchen is hidden away on an upper floor in a high rise in Central. I was kindly invited by a friend who's "in-the-know", and was able to get a peek into this other world of Hong Kong wine and dine culture.

    No 9 SBI Canteen” (9號軟庫飯堂) Softbank Private Kitchen Hong Kong

    I arrived a bit early, so they let me sit on this couch opposite of the dining area. Soon afterwards, people started arriving. Some people were really familiar with each other, while others, like myself, were lucky first-timers who were brought by a friend. Unfortunately Bryan was on a business trip that day, so I came alone to experience this exciting meal.

    Update: Bryan was able to go back to this restaurant one year later, thanks to an invitation from the same kind friends. As it turned out, it was me that was away on business this time. So glad Bryan got to try it!

    The Banquet!

    Softbank Private Kitchen Hong Kong
    We started with a plate of black pork charsiu and octopus. The charsiu was excellent, flavorful with just the right amount of fat. The octopus was nice as well.
    Softbank Private Kitchen Hong Kong
    Pan fried bird's nest meringue. Delicate, perfect execution.
    Softbank Private Kitchen Hong Kong
    This dish blew my mind because I'd never had anything like it. Stir fried pine nuts, celery, and chicken. It was so simple and clean tasting, yet I couldn't get enough of it. It was such a perfect combination of textures and flavors. Loved it.
    Softbank Private Kitchen Hong Kong
    The jumbo shrimp were phenomenal. They didn't need much because by themselves they already had so much flavor. The texture was "bouncy" and firm, just the way I like it.
    Softbank Private Kitchen Hong Kong
    Another really special dish was the spicy lightly battered and fried crab claw.

    Signature Winter Melon Soup

    Softbank Private Kitchen Hong Kong
    Definitely one of their (many) signatures dishes is this elegant winter melon soup with peas and crab. The presentation alone is worth a mention (and there were plenty of people taking photos and videos of this center piece). The flavor was also incredible.
    Softbank Private Kitchen Hong Kong
    True art of excellent Cantonese cooking is the ability to bring out the natural flavors from the best ingredients. I loved how light and delicate this soup was.
    Softbank Private Kitchen Hong Kong
    Sauteed ocean fish with celery
    Softbank Private Kitchen Hong Kong
    Crispy salt baked chicken and sauteed chicken liver was spot on.

    Rice & "Veggies" (with a lot of crab)

    Softbank Private Kitchen Hong Kong
    Satueed leafy green vegetables with a rich crab and crab roe sauce. Also, classic glutinous rice wrapped in lotus leaf.
    Softbank Private Kitchen Hong Kong
    Softbank Private Kitchen Hong Kong

    Dessert

    Softbank Private Kitchen Hong Kong
    Finally, for dessert we had classic red bean soup with aged dried orange peel and glutinous rice balls 湯圓。
    Softbank Private Kitchen Hong Kong

    The evening involved a great round up of wines! Cost was around HK$2500 per person, a bit over USD300 a head.

    That time Bryan went . . .

    The menu changes by the season, and there are certain very anticipated dishes that people talk about. One of these dishes is their Imperial Scholar's Five snake soup 太史五蛇羹, which is more like a thick soup (羹)filled with super thinly julienned snake meat (almost like slivers of fine noodles), chrysanthemum petals, lemon leaf, and more. The texture is phenomenal and like nothing I've ever tasted before. It's usually only available during the winter season.

    Bryan was able to enjoy the snake soup during his visit to No. 9 SBI Canteen (Softbank Private Kitchen). Although I didn't get to go that time, I still got to try the famous snake soup. It turns out one of the guests didn't want hers, and she offered to give it to Bryan to take home for me. I'm so thankful for the opportunity. It was really really good!

    All in all, I was indeed very impressed with the food. Most of it is very classic Cantonese dishes but executed at the highest level. There were many dishes I'd never had before. If I ever get a chance to go again, I would definitely jump at the opportunity.

    No. 9 SBI Canteen 9號軟庫飯堂 - Softbank Private Kitchen
    4/F & 5/F, 7-11 Mercer Street, Sheung Wan

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    Jennifer Che Tiny Urban Kitchen

    Hi, my name's Jen and welcome to my cooking, eating, and travel site! I am an expat who moved from Boston to Hong Kong 5 years ago. Born and raised in Ohio to Taiwanese immigrant parents, I am a chemistry nerd, patent attorney by day, blogger by night, church musician on weekends, and food enthusiast always. Feel free to explore away, maybe starting with the Recipe Index or one of the travel pages! I hope you enjoy this site!

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