To Kwa Wan being one of Hong Kong's restaurant hotspots, its old but gold streets and narrow but homey alleys houses many small businesses, varying from hole-in-the-wall restaurants and stores selling miscellaneous items. Just Fit is the one of many amongst the small restaurants in this district. Tucked away from the bustling roads, its humble exterior does not show the restaurant's warm hospitality and fresh food justice.
Walking in the miniature sized shop, it feels cramped, but the warm welcome and unique interior was one of many memorable elements from my visit. The diverse mix of decor such as bird lamps, paired with faux grass on the wall and a small orange bunny sculpture, was truly an unforgettable stylistic choice. The orange and white colour scheme of the interior further enhanced the restaurant's refreshing atmosphere.
Upon placing my order of soba noodles with Thai shrimp and a cold milk tea for takeaway, I waited around 15 minutes for my food. Admittedly, it was a relatively longer waiting time than anticipated for a simple cafe like this, but it was worth while as I witnessed the preparation process of the food thanks to the open kitchen concept of the restaurant. I could tell the food was made with care and caution as they take out fresh ingredients and cut them up right in front of me. After taking the food, I decided to sit in the free seats opposite of the restaurant due to its rather small size and lack of seating options. As I was taking the food out of the bag, one of the cooks took out a wooden table and a seat and placed it in front of the restaurant. They then told me to come sit there instead. Although I did not mind sitting someplace else, I could not decline their kind offer. The unexpected but absolutely welcomed hospitality deserves more praise.
Onto the food, it was nothing short of delicious. The interwoven elements of flavour and texture collaborated well to make a simple, healthy and remarkable dish. The perfectly boiled soba noodles were laid atop a bed of crisp lettuce, dressed with plump shrimp and imitation crab meat, topped with crisp cucumber slices and a sprinkling of black and white sesame seeds that provided tiny bursts of flavour. The sauce was a combination of sesame and sweet & spicy chili. Flavour wise, it had a sweet and salty profile, with its forefront flavour as sesame. The vegetables were a refreshing component of the dish, as it is complemented with the taste of meaty shrimp and crab. Texture wise, the noodles were executed flawlessly, not too soft but still had its distinctive chew. The crispy lettuce and cucumbers paired with the noodles diversified the dish's texture, enhancing the overall mouth feel. What truly made the dish shine though, was its nutritionally balanced ingredients. Carbs from the noodles, protein from the shrimp and crab, dietary fibre from the vegetables and essential fats from the sauce made the eating experience enjoyable as I felt like I was properly fueling my body the nutrition it needs. The milk tea was quite nice, its silky smooth milk was paired well with the bittersweet tea. Overall, the food I ordered was perfectly executed from simple but healthy ingredients.
The pricing for such a dish was absolutely justified. For the both nutritious and delicious meal I bought, it was only around $50. The other menu items such as the paninis, sandwiches and salads were all reasonably priced, for only around $30 each. Compared to its nearby restaurants, the food from this place is relatively cheaper, but its food quality is definitely not sacrificed for its affordable prices.
In my personal opinion, the hospitality of this restaurant was the most memorable part. The friendliness and warmth from the entire place really shone through during my visit, from the immediate smile that I was greeted by while checking out their menu, the unexpected gesture of taking a table and chair out, to the cute packaging of daisies on the takeaway bag, they all conveyed the warm-hearted and comforting nature of the restaurant.
If you are near this area of town and looking for affordable but high quality food that is healthy, paired with great service, a warm environment and uniquely decorated interior, Just Fit is one great option you can choose from. If you can, remember to support small businesses. You never know, a little exploring could land you a hidden gem restaurant, and you can lend a helping hand to restaurant owners trying to survive in an industry driven by large chains and competitive rivals.
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