impossiblemeat

Impossible Hamburger & Liberty Fries

MTR PITCH

“Passionate about both beef burgers and producing ethical, vegan alternatives, Beef & Liberty serves up juicy burgers and scrumptious fries. And that’s just the beginning. For a reliable burger experience every time, head down to any of their well-located restaurants.”

Rating 4/5

Price point A little meaty but worth it

BREAK IT DOWN NOW

We have to get down to the patty and bun. Beef & Liberty burgers are some of the best I’ve tasted. The restaurant claims to nail the burger to bun ratio – they are not lying. Every bite is a delight. It’s surprising to find how much the experience is enhanced by (of course the warm and friendly staff) really good buns. Liberty buns are soft – akin to brioche buns – HOWEVER they do not disintegrate with the weight of the burger or the moisture from the toppings and sauces. It’s bread perfection.

The burger menu is a collection of classics and some flavour-sensations. It’s hard to make a decision. What’s more, every burger option can also be turned veg by replacing the patty for an Impossible Meat burger ($20). This is a revolution for vegans and vegetarians who normally have just one vegetarian burger option on a menu.

The menu also includes some non-Impossible options (Beetroot burger, Falafel burger) if Impossible is not your bag. Although I would encourage everyone to try an Impossible burger here, whether you’re a veggie or not. It’s a unique experience!! The waitress serving recommended it be cooked ‘medium’. It looks and bleeds like beef. The pinkish interior of the medium-done Impossible burger was cool but a little weird for me. In spite of this, at just 240 calories per Impossible patty the burger does not feel greasy or heavy at all. A great experience on the whole.

The unsung heroes? The Liberty Fries!!!! Never underestimate perfectly-cooked fries. Crispy on the outside and fluffy in the inside. Lip-smacking flavour without too much salt. You don’t even need sauce with it to get your mouth salivating but the unique sauce served with each burger certainly pairs really well with the fries. Bravo Beef & Liberty!

ASIAN PAN LIKES…

The Impossible Chorizo burger
Black Pepper burger
Chilli Cheese Fries (Impossible option also available!)
Lunch sets!

“Dengdeng Balado” caramelised impossible meat

MTR pitch

“You go expecting only Balinese cuisine but the menu is teeming with exotic spice blends from Malaysian and Indian curries to Thai and Vietnamese fish dishes. Mama San cooks up an explosion of pan asian flavours to satisfy the palate. There is something for everyone.”

Rating 4/5

Price point Premium price for premium spice

Break it down now

Mama San is tucked away from busy Wyndham Street in Central, on the first floor of Winning Centre. Take the stairs and enter a large, chic dining area with the most welcoming waiters and bar stewards. It’s a great vibe – especially during happy hour (Monday to Thursday, 6-8pm).

The Balinese decor of the restaurant might have you believe that the menu will offer Balinese cuisine only. Oh, you’d be so wrong. It was a pleasant surprise to see an array of pan asian food listed on the menu. Alongside the mouth-watering Indonesian dishes, you will find curry snapper from Malaysia, red prawn curry from Thailand, okra and saag from India and tuna tataki from Japan (to name a few!). A feast for the soul. A journey for the tastebuds.

To make things even better, the restaurant has its own separate Vegetarian menu. It can be hard to find so many options in Hong Kong for a veggie but Mama San outdoes itself. Not only is the Vegetarian menu sizeable (covering starters, mains, sides and dessert), the main menu includes some absolutely divine “impossible” meat dishes in and amongst its regular meat options. I urge all diners, veggie or not, to try an “impossible” dish. My personal favourite is the crispy impossible meat, paired with a cold, refreshing coconut mojito.

N.B. The cocktails are delish! One hour of free flow sparkling wine is also available for $128 HKD, making Mama San a great place for drinks too.

My only criticism is that dinner can get pricey. Every dish adds up and it’s not cheap! Worth it? Yes, but one quick look at the prices may deter some. Only once I’d done my research and found out that Mama San was a Will Meyrick restaurant did I appreciate that every dollar spent is for a very special menu created by a world top chef. Hopefully, this nugget of knowledge may in fact encourage you to pay Mama San a visit!

Asian Pan likes…

Crispy impossible meat
Ayam Merah
Lamb Saag

Tag: impossiblemeat

BEEF & LIBERTY, hold the beef