‘Best’ pasta, ‘really authentic’ Vietnamese: French bistro boss’ top Hong Kong restaurants
Michael Larkin, co-founder of Lala in Central, shares where he enjoys Hanoi flavours, ‘fantastic’ Italian, seafood, ramen, beef and dumplings
Michael Larkin is the co-founder of French bistro Lala in Hong Kong’s Central neighbourhood. He spoke to Andrew Sun.
My dad is Irish, my mum is Romanian. We grew up mostly in Romania, where the food was super hearty, super rustic and very flavourful. In the winter, we had a lot of stew and soups; in the summer, we had a lot of barbecues. At home, my mom could burn cereal, so she never cooked for us.
My dad, on the other hand, worked in food and beverage, and he taught me how to cook.
As for what I eat, I am a creature of habit. I like classics. I like going to the same places for the same dishes, whether I’m in London or Romania. I get emotionally attached to dishes.
People in the food industry don’t get to go out to eat much because we’re always stuck in our kitchens. When I do go out for lunch, it’s Bun Cha Vietnamese (various locations, including 49 Aberdeen Street, Sheung Wan. Tel: 2858 1900).