Update: This venue is now located on Jiashan Lu. This review was conducted at Hungry Lung's original location on Yongkang Lu.
As Yongkang Lu’s eastern end reaches saturation point, it was inevitable that Western eateries would start to look west of Xiangyang Lu. Yet the laid back, simple approach of Hungry Lung’s Kitchen is more in keeping with the mellower, cosy Chinese restaurants that have occupied spots on the ‘other’ stretch of Yongkang Lu for years. A handful of tables and a relaxed atmosphere keep things comfortably low key.
The menu, too, is simple. The comfort dishes presented on a large blackboard and a small paper menu stride across culinary regions – an all day breakfast menu including a classic fry-up (two eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, pancake and beans for 70RMB) sits alongside grilled lemongrass chicken with rice (60RMB). A must-order is the delicious poutine (45RMB, pictured above), crispy fries smothered in Monterey Jack cheddar and gravy courtesy of Canadian owner Mon Lung Liu.
Other classics include a rich and meaty shepherd’s pie (70RMB) topped with a layer of smooth mashed potato and a range of sliders (80RMB for three). The tasty sliders – Korean beef, braised pork, grilled lemongrass chicken and beef with bacon and Monterey Jack cheese – are served with a generous side salad .
From the Southeast Asian side, the red curry (60RMB), comes with either shrimp, chicken, duck or vegetables; the shrimp version is almost volcanically spicy, as the grilled shrimp are coated in a layer of fiery chilli powder, while the grilled chicken version, with peppers, cherry tomatoes and chunks of eggplant, is only a tad less potent.
Hungry Lung's Kitchen’s simple approach and the ever-present and friendly owner, combined with the menu of tasty comfort food, will ensure it becomes a regular neighbourhood haunt for us this winter.
Charles Miller
