Nono HK — Restaurant in Lisbon

I came to this place excited for some Chinese food after seeing high ratings and good looking photos. The spoiler is that the food was very upsetting (literally and figuratively).

First, we ordered the soup dumplings and another dim sum dish. They brought out the soup dumplings very quickly, but they were lukewarm and the dough was undercooked. (They also didn't look right, with thick dough and not much soup to be had). The waiter looked confused when I asked for some black vinegar to go with them (a typical accompaniment). We complained about the dumplings and they sent it back and promptly dropped shrimp dumplings on our table instead, saying that those soup dumplings were the last ones they had and that the other dim sum dish we ordered wasn't available. I tried to give them the benefit of the doubt and eat the shrimp dumplings, but they were also lukewarm and the skin was mushy. It's unclear to me whether or not they actually steamed the dim sum dishes or how long those dishes were sitting around. At this point we were already pretty upset.

The other two dishes we ordered proved to more edible - the stir fried rice noodles were decent, although the beef slices were tough; the eggplant was also decent, although with some really tough and salty pieces of ham.

I think the most upsetting part was that, looking through the reviews mid-meal, we noticed that most of the reviewers only had ever reviewed this place and were giving it 5 stars, which leads us to think that these are fake reviews. Seems fishy and clearly a trap that we fell for. Shortly after finishing our meal, my stomach was upset and I've been having intermittent stomach pains since. I have a strong stomach typically, so I don't want to know what was going on in that kitchen.

I wasn't expecting anything too extraordinary in getting Chinese food while in Portugal, but I also wasn't expecting to get food...

An authentic Hong Kong experience, not of typical cantonese food, but the result of a hundred year plus exposition to the west and globalization. Its chinese food, from all over, with availability of world ingredients and sauces, uncompromisingly reinterpreted and adapted for the local Hong Kong taste (that will stress out the purist chinese food expert). This will show up in subtle notes that might not be captured by many an average guest but that will bring one acquainted enough with Hong Kong food into a nostalgic experience.

For starters, the whole decoration is westernized. Table is set with plates and cutlery. Meal is to be composed of small plates to share, chinese style. Sides might include things as potato wedges or tomato slices, and XO or teriyaki sauces might season some of the dishes.

It is not a cha chaan teng experience, as it is too gourmet for that, but it would be nice if they brought in some of that, in a reformulated form, into the menu, for an afternoon snack ir to complement the dessert section. I'm thinking of french toast, the tan taat or the pineapple bun in the afternoon. There could also be tortoise jelly, or some sweet soups. For drinks, there are plenty of alcoholic choices, but for typical hk drinks there is only hk style milk tea and red beans. The lemon or calamansi ice tea, the yakult, the ribena lemon or the ginger coke, the vitasoy and others could make their way into the menu too (which could improve the portuguese translation btw).

The restaurant is spread on three floors, so some tables on the ground floor are accessible. Restroom and the remaining dining tables are accessible by a flight of stairs only though.

The whole space is cozy and airy, with much light. Owners and chef are original from Hong Kong. Food is tasty. Cultural experience is exquisite and authentic. Service is friendly and I had a great...

The worst Chinese restaurant in Lisbon I've ever had given that I’ve been to almost all Chinese restaurants in Lisbon. First we came because of the 4.3 review seems to be a good choice and later we found that they offer free desert if customers give 5 star review.

Risk of Safety ⁠1) Dish - Sichuan style fish fillets with pickles: The pickles tasted disgusting with a distinct putrid and moldy odor and I almost threw up as I dare not eat.

If the pickling conditions are not well-controlled, microbial contamination can easily occur. Pickles can easily become moldy, which poses significant health risks, including being carcinogenic.

And we've been to almost all the Chinese restaurants in Lisbon it's the only one with only 4-5 pieces of fish which is so little. (well “perfect spot” for tourists as local people will never come back)

2. Other dishes are mediocre. Some pieces of sautéed cabbage were not cut and open meaning they didn’t wash it.

3. We felt quite thirsty after the meal which means they used lots of MSG. We love Chinese food but the problem is that the traditional Chinese cooking is normally with different seasoning and using bad ingredients can get away if you just use lots of strong seasoning.

We wanted to order the typical dishes from Hong Kong: the fried crab but they don’t have. Though they claim to be a Hong Kong restaurant, the interior decoration says “Ramen” which is typical Japanese food and in menu they offer Sichuan dishes which is a clear signal that it’s not authentic Hong Kong food.

Location: The fact that the restaurant is in Baixa in the first place is a red flag as most of the restaurants in Baixa are quite touristic. We thought it may be an exception but..

No matter you are local people or tourists, please just avoid it. You can find so many better choices without risking going...