Ep 4. Hong Kong

Phil Rosenthal, the creator of hit TV sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, travels to Hong Kong to explore its cuisine, culture, and people in the fourth episode of I'll Have What Phil's Having season 1.

The episode begins with Phil arriving in the city on a ferry ride from mainland China. Once he sets foot in Hong Kong, he marvels at the city's bustling streets and towering skyscrapers that overlook the harbor. With his appetite already developed, he moves on to his first culinary stop - dim sum.

Phil heads to the dim sum restaurant Tim Ho Wan, which holds the distinction of being the world's cheapest Michelin-star restaurant. He waits in the queue, which is almost always long, but his wait is worth it. Phil enjoys a wide variety of dishes, including famous Char Siu Bao or baked barbecue pork buns, which he declares to be "the greatest baked thing" he has ever had.

Next, Phil visits a local street market to sample local delicacies. Phil tries his hand at cooking with Cantonese cuisine's unusual ingredients, including the infamous "three-year-old eggs" and some exotic fruits. He faces some difficulty in learning the art of cracking the eggs with chopsticks and tasting it without feeling nauseous, but he enjoys trying and relishing the other exotic flavors.

In the afternoon, Phil meets Lau Kin Wai, a food blogger, and local food enthusiast, who takes him on a tour of City Foodsters, a food court packed with some of the most delicious food in Hong Kong. They sample some of the city's most famous dishes, including roast goose, yin-yong, and Wonton noodles. Phil loves the experience of trying Wonton noodles, a simple dish but with a heartwarming flavor.

Later that evening, Phil visits the trendy Lan Kwai Fong neighborhood, the city's nightlife hub, to grab a drink at The Globe, a bar known for serving some of the best beers worldwide. He enjoys sipping on a delicious IPA and chatting with the friendly locals who share their love for the city's culinary traditions.

On his second day, Phil lands a personal invitation to the home of chef Chan Yan Tak, who is the only one in Hong Kong to possess the distinction of having three Michelin stars. Chan prepares a luxurious meal featuring abalone, shark's fin soup, and other delicate dishes exclusively for Phil.

Phil also meets his tour guide, Lau, to experience the peak tram, one of the city's oldest tourist attractions. Once at the summit, he takes in a stunning view of the dynamic skyline below, which makes him fall in love with the city even more.

Finally, Phil winds down his trip with a visit to Hong Kong's back alleys, where row upon row of street food vendors sell their wares. He samples some of the local specialties off the stalls, including stinky tofu, pork intestines, and egg waffles, which gets him genuinely excited.

Overall, I'll Have What Phil's Having season 1 episode 4, Hong Kong is an entertaining and informative exploration of a vibrant city that is sometimes underestimated for its food and culture. Phil Rosenthal not only tastes but savors exotic flavors in his own charming way, all the while immersing in Hong Kong's local lifestyle. The episode leaves the viewers with a warm palate and the yearning for more.