Business travellers looking to tap into the rich culinary heritage of Southeast Asia need look no further than Hong Kong’s Monsoon, the newest concept by Australian chef Will Meyrick, now open at ELEMENTS Mall.

Dedicated to the authentic flavours of Southeast Asia, Monsoon showcases the culinary innovation of Will Meyrick, best known for his acclaimed Bali restaurants, and executed by his trusted Indonesian head chef Gede Budiana.

Showcasing the timeless dishes of the Monsoon belt, the Southeast Asian nations that have their seasons defined by the annual rains, Monsoon serves lunch and dinner throughout the week at a location that’s just minutes from major financial and commercial hubs in Kowloon.

Catering to 100 guests, Monsoon combines inventive and inspiring takes on classic Southeast Asian fare, which is served in exotic and vibrant interiors reminiscent of the colonial architecture still lovingly preserved across the region. Dressed in forest green and honey-hued wood, Monsoon is bathed in golden light from banks of suspended pendant lamps, accentuated with decorative rattan umbrellas set across the ceiling.

Comfortable banquette seating with rattan detailing is matched with forest green and vibrant floral textiles, with elegant vintage-esque floor tiles, captivating floral wall tiles, and timber panels gracing the walls. The main dining room is complemented by a private dining room, which caters to eight diners and is perfect for corporate gatherings or informal catch-ups.

Monsoon’s menus are laced with Meyrick’s authentic yet bold approach to Southeast Asian street food dishes, with highlights including Cambodian steamed Salmon Amok, a blend of salmon, Thai basil, lemongrass, red curry, betel leaf, and silky coconut cream, dressed with nahm pla prik and served in banana leaf; a royal beef salad of brisket simmered in coconut, shredded bamboo, lemongrass, and roasted chilli sauce; grilled king prawns marinated in garlic-soy and spices, and served with tangy seafood nahm jim sauce; and grilled Barramundi marinated with “jungle curry” and wrapped in banana leaf.

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Noodle and soup lovers shouldn’t miss the comforting seafood Tom Yum soup with prawns, squid, galangal, shallots, chilli, coriander and tamarind; Indonesian “Soto Rawon”, a slow-cooked beef short ribs with soft egg, potato, tomato, Asian celery, green shallots, and fresh lime; and chicken with crispy noodles “Kho Soi” served with pickled mustard greens and chilli relish.

Diners with a sweet tooth shouldn’t miss out on the decadent desserts, including Vietnamese creme caramel with coffee granita; “Kampung Snicker”, made with peanut butter parfait with butterscotch and chocolate-coated peanut; lemongrass panna cotta with cucumber lime jelly served with lemon and basil sorbet; and the classic black sticky rice with fresh mango, topped with coconut milk and mango ice cream.

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Monsoon also offers an eclectic selection of tropical-inspired cocktails and mocktails. These include Monsoon, the perfect summer refresher, with vodka, fresh passion fruit juice, lemon, chilli, kaffir lime leaf, and topped with a fizzy cold beer; and Muse of Asia, with fresh lemon juice and blended Scotch whiskey. Guests will love Monsoon’s range of vibrant and refreshing mocktails, include Lemon Berries Colada with grenadine, coconut milk, fresh lemonade and blueberries; and the earthy Orient Seas, with Indonesian apple infused black tea, fresh orange, and apple juice.

The restaurant’s wallet-friendly weekday set lunch is available from Monday to Friday from 11 am to 2.30 pm and includes a Thai-style chai tea free flow option. Highlights of the seasonal lunch menu include Penang short ribs beef curry with peanut and fresh basil with Jasmine rice and a Thai-style pomelo salad with chicken and Nam Yam sauce on the side; stir-fried minced chicken with chilli, long beans, baby corn, and basil, served with Jasmine rice, topped with a fried egg, green mango and carrot salad with Nahm Jihm dressing on the side, and paired with a bowl of chicken broth with daikon; and as a vegetarian option, stir-fried eggplant with green vegetable and yellow chilli bean sauce served with Jasmine rice and beetroot salad with cucumber.

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Alternatively, Monsoon’s 90 minutes free-flow package is ideal for more celebratory meetings and includes red, white and sparkling wine, house spirits, beer, a choice of special cocktail, soft drinks, and a selection of juices priced at HK$168 (US$21) per person.

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