Investment banker turned travel entrepreneur Victor Dizon is a co-founder of A2A Safaris, specialising in luxury African safaris. He spoke to Andrew Sun.
I grew up in the Philippines. My mother loved to cook and my parents loved to eat.
Growing up, we had a very diverse menu, from all kinds of Asian cuisine to Spanish. And we were lucky – my parents took us travelling all over the world from a young age, which is how I developed my love for travel and food.
I do like fancy Michelin-star restaurants in Paris or Tokyo, but I equally enjoy eating street food in Bangkok or Singapore.
In Hong Kong, one of my favourite lunch spots is Lei Garden (various locations including Shop 1003, 10/F, Times Square, 1 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay. Tel: 2506 3828). They have amazing dim sum and Cantonese roast meats – especially char siu and the roast pigeon.
I love sushi and always make it a point to visit Sushi Tokami (Shop 216A, 2/F, Ocean centre, Harbour City, 5 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Tel: 2771 3938). It is a branch of the well-known sushi-ya in Ginza [in Tokyo] and their sister company is a top supplier of high-grade Japanese tuna.
Across the board, the sushi is excellent but the highlight is all their cuts of tuna – especially the tossaki, which is from the neck, served as a temaki (hand roll). The shari (sushi rice) is also unique, using a red vinegar made from sake, giving it a more savoury flavour.
I always enjoy a good steak dinner. Our go-to place since the 1990s has been Ruth’s Chris Steak House (Shop 2&3, G/F, Lippo Centre, 89 Queensway, Admiralty. Tel: 2522 9090). We have had many celebrations there and their steaks and sides are always consistently good with amazing service.
Other excellent dishes include their shredded conpoy and deep-fried yellow croaker.
A splurge preference is L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon (Shop 401, 4/F, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central. Tel: 2166 9000). It still serves well-prepared French classics like veal sweetbreads, game birds like quail and guinea fowl, and Dover sole in a tapas bar-like setting.
Of course, a nice bottle of French Burgundy from Gevrey-Chambertin is a must to complement this meal.
As a big carnivore, my favourite place for Japanese teppanyaki in Tokyo is Ginza Ukai Tei (5-15-8, 1/F, Jiji-tsushin Building, Ginza, Chuo-ku. Tel: +81 3 3544 5252).
It feels like a Belle Époque-era French restaurant but the Wagyu is 100 per cent Japanese, cooked to perfection right in front of you. They have an excellent wine and sake list too.
Insider tip: request a private room for the ultimate teppanyaki experience.