Hulu at King Street Wharf | Darling Harbour
Hulu at King Street Wharf recently had their grand opening in March 2018. Hulu is a concept restaurant with modern twists to traditional favourites combining Chinese fusion with French and Japanese elements. Hulu is also a representation of a good luck symbol in the shape of number eight (scroll down to see what a Hulu looks like). In ancient days, people would use a hulu to store water as well as protecting small
children from drowning by tying a single hulu to their back in case they fall into a stream of river or sea. It's also a
popular charm to ward off evil spirits and diseases.
Cocktails
We all enjoyed a cocktail each which is always a great way to kick off an amazing night. I had the Mojito (on the left) which was quite strong with a very faint minty taste and Matt had one of the signature cocktail (on the right).
We all enjoyed a cocktail each which is always a great way to kick off an amazing night. I had the Mojito (on the left) which was quite strong with a very faint minty taste and Matt had one of the signature cocktail (on the right).
Hulu Mixed Appetizers
The appetizers were served in the shape of a Hulu. You will see each layer unfold in front of your eyes. There's blanched spinach with a cream sauce (with sesame taste) which is the Japanese element of this dish. There's also a melon and prawn salad, picked carrot and a chicken dish served cold. We ate the appetizers throughout our meal - picking at it like we do with the side dishes at a Korean BBQ.
The appetizers were served in the shape of a Hulu. You will see each layer unfold in front of your eyes. There's blanched spinach with a cream sauce (with sesame taste) which is the Japanese element of this dish. There's also a melon and prawn salad, picked carrot and a chicken dish served cold. We ate the appetizers throughout our meal - picking at it like we do with the side dishes at a Korean BBQ.
Nemo Dumplings
The signature Nemo Dumplings were extremely adorable. They are so plumpy and filled with prawns; similar to Har Gow (Shrimp Dumpling). The dough was bouncy and like other dumping places, it's complimented perfectly when you dip it in chilli and soy sauce. Not only do these little guys look cute (almost too cute to eat) but they tasted incredible as well.
The signature Nemo Dumplings were extremely adorable. They are so plumpy and filled with prawns; similar to Har Gow (Shrimp Dumpling). The dough was bouncy and like other dumping places, it's complimented perfectly when you dip it in chilli and soy sauce. Not only do these little guys look cute (almost too cute to eat) but they tasted incredible as well.
Hulu's Signature Crispy Cheese & Pork Dumplings
These little gems are served piping hot so be careful when you're eating it. The texture of the dumpling crust is crispy and sticky which reminded us of 'Ham Sui Gok' (a popular Hong Kong dim sum) where the crust is slightly sweet. The cheese and pork dumpling was so tasty but the flavour of the cheese wasn't prevalent. We also sampled the crispy mushroom and pork dumpling with truffle; you would think that double mushroom would be overkill, but there is just something about the simplicity of truffle that can take any dish to the next level.
These little gems are served piping hot so be careful when you're eating it. The texture of the dumpling crust is crispy and sticky which reminded us of 'Ham Sui Gok' (a popular Hong Kong dim sum) where the crust is slightly sweet. The cheese and pork dumpling was so tasty but the flavour of the cheese wasn't prevalent. We also sampled the crispy mushroom and pork dumpling with truffle; you would think that double mushroom would be overkill, but there is just something about the simplicity of truffle that can take any dish to the next level.
Hulu Crab with Cream Sauce
We know the star of the dish should be the crab but oh my goodness, the cream was phenomenal. The cream was subtly sweet and cheesy. We're not sure if it had cheese in it, but it sure tasted like it did.
The chef told us that many crabs met their early demise in order to perfect the cooking method. The crab is cooked with the cream which allows the flesh to remain naturally sweet and soaked in cream. The Hulu crab is served with deep fried mantou (Chinese steamed buns) so you can soak up the delicious creamy goodness on the plate (that's if you haven't already licked the plate clean!)
We know the star of the dish should be the crab but oh my goodness, the cream was phenomenal. The cream was subtly sweet and cheesy. We're not sure if it had cheese in it, but it sure tasted like it did.
The chef told us that many crabs met their early demise in order to perfect the cooking method. The crab is cooked with the cream which allows the flesh to remain naturally sweet and soaked in cream. The Hulu crab is served with deep fried mantou (Chinese steamed buns) so you can soak up the delicious creamy goodness on the plate (that's if you haven't already licked the plate clean!)
Half Duck Smoked in Jasmine and Oolong Tea
When the duck was brought to the table, the aroma of oolong and jasmine tea surrounded the table. The chef told us that this because the duck has been slowly smoking for 3-4 days in Jasmine and Oolong tea with nothing other than salt for seasoning. This method ensured that that duck meat was soft and that every inch of the duck was delicious, making you wanting to order another plate (that is if you can wait another 3 days!) . This dish can be a little salty, it definitely packs a punch. It just amazes us the amount of flavour that this duck was hiding, when cooked in nothing more than salt and tea.
When the duck was brought to the table, the aroma of oolong and jasmine tea surrounded the table. The chef told us that this because the duck has been slowly smoking for 3-4 days in Jasmine and Oolong tea with nothing other than salt for seasoning. This method ensured that that duck meat was soft and that every inch of the duck was delicious, making you wanting to order another plate (that is if you can wait another 3 days!) . This dish can be a little salty, it definitely packs a punch. It just amazes us the amount of flavour that this duck was hiding, when cooked in nothing more than salt and tea.
Homemade Tofu and Mushrooms
The homemade Japanese style egg tofu was silky smooth and shallow fried which slightly alters the texture. We used the serving spoon to grab a piece and literally slurped it down. The enokitake mushroom has a different texture to the more familiar mushrooms like shitake mushroom. The enoki mushroom has a unique texture, it is tender yet firm with a crunchy bite and stringy-ness to it. This presented a perfect balance of the soft and smooth texture that the tofu provides, along with a bit of a resistance from the mushrooms. We loved this dish so much that we asked to take the remaining home in a doggy bag for dinner the next day!
The homemade Japanese style egg tofu was silky smooth and shallow fried which slightly alters the texture. We used the serving spoon to grab a piece and literally slurped it down. The enokitake mushroom has a different texture to the more familiar mushrooms like shitake mushroom. The enoki mushroom has a unique texture, it is tender yet firm with a crunchy bite and stringy-ness to it. This presented a perfect balance of the soft and smooth texture that the tofu provides, along with a bit of a resistance from the mushrooms. We loved this dish so much that we asked to take the remaining home in a doggy bag for dinner the next day!
Sweet and Sour Pork served on Ice
This was the absolute star of the night. Who would have thought that a Western sweet and sour pork could steal the show?! The pork has been coated in a thin layer and flash fried, only to then be mixed in with a bucket of ice and served at your table. The coldness from the ice creates a chemical reaction, causing the pork to be even more crunchy, yet remaining hot on the inside. The pork itself was very light and incredibly easy to finish the whole bucket to yourself. You'll be surprised that even though this dish is served with ice, the inside is still piping hot. With fresh strawberries and grapes, you won't need the excess thick sweet and sour sauce.
This was the absolute star of the night. Who would have thought that a Western sweet and sour pork could steal the show?! The pork has been coated in a thin layer and flash fried, only to then be mixed in with a bucket of ice and served at your table. The coldness from the ice creates a chemical reaction, causing the pork to be even more crunchy, yet remaining hot on the inside. The pork itself was very light and incredibly easy to finish the whole bucket to yourself. You'll be surprised that even though this dish is served with ice, the inside is still piping hot. With fresh strawberries and grapes, you won't need the excess thick sweet and sour sauce.
Fried King Prawn with Dry Spice and Garlic
The king prawns were served onto the table, shells attached and topped with a generous serving of cooked garlic. We usually like the shells removed from the meat however, because the shells were deep fried they were really crispy and can be eaten to enjoy the full flavour of the prawn, without the messy fingers.
The king prawns were served onto the table, shells attached and topped with a generous serving of cooked garlic. We usually like the shells removed from the meat however, because the shells were deep fried they were really crispy and can be eaten to enjoy the full flavour of the prawn, without the messy fingers.
King Prawn With Champagne and Fruit Dressing
Immediately after the fried king prawn, another round of king prawns were served to the table, but this time served on a bed of champagne and fruit dressing. The prawns were slightly deep fried with batter which crumbled away with each bite. The prawns were lightly salted, which was complimented well by the fruit dressing which had a tangy and sweet taste. It was definitely a unique sauce, very similar to a honey consistency.
Immediately after the fried king prawn, another round of king prawns were served to the table, but this time served on a bed of champagne and fruit dressing. The prawns were slightly deep fried with batter which crumbled away with each bite. The prawns were lightly salted, which was complimented well by the fruit dressing which had a tangy and sweet taste. It was definitely a unique sauce, very similar to a honey consistency.
Stir Fried Long Beans with Pork Mince
If you have ever been to a Chinese restaurant, you might be used to seeing a green bean and pork dish! The beans are chopped and cooked over high heat until blistered and then stir fried with pork mince in a spicy sauce. Cooking anything over high heat on a wok will give it that much needed wok hei flavour.
Osmanthus Cake
Osmanthus Cake is a traditional Chinese dessert jelly filled with osmanthus flower. The appearance of the jelly is opaque and translucent. It's only slightly sweet and is a popular snack street snack in Taiwan. There are various versions of this cake; some have goji berries and the addition of chesnut. I love this dessert because it's light and refreshing.
Osmanthus Cake is a traditional Chinese dessert jelly filled with osmanthus flower. The appearance of the jelly is opaque and translucent. It's only slightly sweet and is a popular snack street snack in Taiwan. There are various versions of this cake; some have goji berries and the addition of chesnut. I love this dessert because it's light and refreshing.
Lava Ice Cream
This dessert is one of Hulu's signature dessert. It's served in a white chocolate sphere which covers a fried ice cream with a cake layer. Warm chocolate is poured on top of the dome in a way which allows the chocolate to fall like flower petals. The cake layer covering the ice cream was light and fluffy which was surprising considering this was deep fried
Snapshots of Food dined as guests of Red Productions and Hulu at King Street Wharf
This dessert is one of Hulu's signature dessert. It's served in a white chocolate sphere which covers a fried ice cream with a cake layer. Warm chocolate is poured on top of the dome in a way which allows the chocolate to fall like flower petals. The cake layer covering the ice cream was light and fluffy which was surprising considering this was deep fried
Snapshots of Food dined as guests of Red Productions and Hulu at King Street Wharf