AOAO — Restaurant in Hong Kong Island

Visited in April 2025. Hong Kong 🇭🇰

Seeking the quintessential Wagyu Sando, our search led us to this particular establishment. Located on the 11th floor of a business building, the restaurant embraces a dimly lit, urban aesthetic, punctuated by neon accents.

FOOD:

With an izakaya-style format, the restaurant primarily offers a selection of small, Japanese-inspired bites. The concise menu presented us with a few choices. First up: the Yellowtail Crudo. This was a success, showcasing incredibly fresh fish subtly enhanced by a bright, acidic dressing that perfectly complemented, rather than overwhelmed, the fish's delicate flavor. The Tomato and Cream Cheese Mousse was equally delightful – sweet, juicy tomatoes paired with a light, airy mousse, providing a refreshing counterpoint to the richer items to come. The Wagyu Sando, however, proved to be somewhat of a letdown. The bread, unfortunately, was rather dense and lacked the melt-in-your-mouth quality of a true milk bread. Its chewiness necessitated the removal of one slice in order to achieve a more balanced flavor profile. Moreover, the Wagyu portion was notably thin and possessed a surprisingly muted flavor, lacking that rich, unctuousness that one anticipates from high-quality Wagyu. Although the meat was tender, it simply lacked the necessary fat content to elevate the experience. We also sampled the Charcoal Grilled Eel, a dish that garnered significant praise online, but that we found to be less appealing. The eel exhibited a distinct "fishy" flavor (eel often possesses a slightly earthy note, which is typically masked by a sweet sauce), but here, the flavor was unadulterated. The texture was rather firm, and an unpleasantly fatty layer resided beneath the skin.

SERVICE:

The service was unremarkable. Firstly, we were rather perplexed to discover that the entire sake menu, with its various names and classifications, was presented solely in Chinese, while the rest of the menu was available in English. Furthermore, we waited upwards of 15 minutes for someone with sake expertise to offer a recommendation, by which time a portion of our meal had already arrived. Ultimately, it turned out that no one possessed sufficient sake knowledge to assist us, and we were forced to order beer instead. Overall, the service lacked a certain attentiveness.

VERDICT:

While not entirely without merit, this is a trendy spot that we are unlikely to revisit. Our expectations for the Sando were high, but it failed to live up to the hype. I suspect Hong Kong offers many more compelling culinary...

Aoao: Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Nestled in a vibrant part of town, AOAO offers a unique dining experience that showcases a delightful fusion of flavors. Our recent visit had us indulging in "Set A," and we were eager to explore what this culinary adventure had to offer.

Ambiance The moment we stepped inside, we were greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere. The decor strikes a balance between modern elegance and traditional charm, creating a cozy yet sophisticated space perfect for both casual and special occasions.

Set A Highlights Hamachi The meal began with the Hamachi, which was beautifully presented. The yellowtail was fresh and paired perfectly with the salted egg yolk and a hint of bitter melon. The pumpkin purée added a creamy texture that complemented the fish wonderfully, making each bite a delight. Pickled Tomato Salad Next up was the Pickled Tomato Salad, a refreshing dish that featured tomatoes bursting with flavor. The tanginess of the pickling process enhanced the natural sweetness of the tomatoes, making it a fantastic palate cleanser. Caramelized Pumpkin The Caramelized Pumpkin was a standout. The balance of sweetness and savory spices, coupled with the crunch of almonds and cinnamon, created a warm and comforting dish that we couldn't get enough of. Tonkatsu The Tonkatsu was expertly cooked, with a perfectly crispy exterior and tender pork inside. The accompanying plum yogurt sauce provided a tangy contrast that elevated the dish, making it both rich and refreshing. Hairy Crab Butter Udon This dish was a revelation. The udon noodles were cooked to perfection, and the hairy crab brought a luxurious flavor that was further enhanced by the sesame and egg yolk. It was rich and indulgent, a true highlight of the meal. Service The staff at AOAO were attentive and knowledgeable, offering recommendations and ensuring our experience was seamless. Their enthusiasm for the menu and commitment to customer satisfaction added to the overall enjoyment of the meal.

Conclusion AOAO is a gem worth visiting, especially for those looking to explore innovative flavors and dishes. "Set A" was a delightful journey through a range of textures and tastes, each dish crafted with care and creativity. I left feeling satisfied and eager to return to try more from their menu. Highly...

Guess a lot of people have been to AOAO for their drinks but their dinner was actually pretty classy too! They also had the outdoor area with DJs (which is perfect for celebrations and parties as they could project your name on the opposite building).🎉

1️⃣ Akagai $138 Fresh clams with asparagus wrapped within as a bright and elegant start.✨

2️⃣ Shredded Celtuce Salad $68 Salmon roe, daikon, and refreshing celtuce threads. Never tried anything like this before, the taste was mild but revitalizing and unlike any salads I have had.😲

3️⃣ Caramelised Pumpkin $88 Well glazed pumpkin with almonds giving it a nutty warmth. The inside of the pumpkin was still soft and sweet.🎃

4️⃣ Charcoal Grilled Eel $288 A dramatic culinary execution! The waiter pressed a searing-hot charcoal directly onto the eel skin—sizzling theatrics releasing an aromatic smoke. 💨

5️⃣ A4 Wagyu Cutlet Charcoal Sando $328 Was definitely craving thick-cut wagyu!! Crispy on the outside and juicy in the inside with a rich beef essence. 🏆

6️⃣ Matcha Cheesecake $68 More on the cheesy side, not too strong on caffeine. 🍵

7️⃣ Mini Melon Daifuku $68 You could feel the melon flowing out as you bite. Delicate and sweet mochi that is recommended.😋

8️⃣ Jade $128 Cold brewed Jasmine, crisp Awamori (alcohol unique to Okinawa and believed to predate shochu), and a twist of lime and reminiscent of falling bamboo leaves. Was attracted by its description of ingredients.🎋

9️⃣ Golden Harmony $148 With rum, papaya, and cinnamon - one of their sour selections but the sweetness is definitely still there. Recommended for people who like fruity...