New restaurant review: Red Lobster, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Red Lobster is now open in Causeway Bay! Cue excited screams from every American, Canadian, Western food loving person in town. I’m half kidding but its opening was the hot topic of conversation for a lot of people I know. Me included. It came up during Thanksgiving dinner and my American friends were part excited for me that I’d gone to the media tasting / part jealous I hadn’t brought them along. Haha. But anyway, what is it about Red Lobster that’s got us so excited? What exactly is Red Lobster?

Red Lobster is an American chain restaurant that also happens to be the world’s largest seafood restaurant company. The manager described it as “Quality seafood at affordable prices” which I think sums it up well. While dining out in Hong Kong can be quite pricey / trendy / lavish, Red Lobster is decidedly the opposite which is part of the appeal. A cozy atmosphere, friendly service, affordable seafood … and unlimited Cheddar Bay biscuits.

Oh yes, these warm, fluffy, cheddar biscuits are perfect for this chilly weather and given to guests for free. This alone makes Red Lobster worth checking out in my opinion but how is the seafood?

We tried a couple of appetizers and mains. Both the Salted Egg Fried Shrimp ($48) and the Hawaiian Coconut Shrimp ($68 for six) were quite good. The Salted Egg sauce could have been a tad sweeter in my opinion so my recommendation is the coconut shrimp.

We also tried the Seaside Shrimp Trio ($148) and the Ultimate Feast ($318).

The Trio came with crispy fried shrimp, garlic shrimp scampi, and shrimp pasta with a lobster cream sauce.

The Ultimate Feast came with a North American lobster tail, snow crab legs, crispy fried shrimp and cocktail sauce and hot drawn butter for dipping.

Overall the food is as comforting as I remember from my childhood in Canada. While there were a couple of misses (one of our shrimp scampis were overcooked, one basket of biscuits were undercooked, the cocktail sauce was so thick it was like a paste), the food is generally tasty and very good value for a seafood restaurant in Causeway Bay. And we have hope these teething issues will be worked out in time.

In addition to the seafood feasts, they also have a variety of rice bowls (e.g. a shrimp rice bowl for $108), pastas, salads, flatbreads, and of course various options for lobster. A North American-sized menu with North American portions too.

Give it a try and of course this is a great option for families.

Shop K, G/F & 1/F, 9 Kingston Street, Fashion Walk, Causeway Bay, 2261 2996

*By invitation for Foodie