Despite with its “not-so-HK” sounding name, Australia Dairy Company is a culinary institution and has often been described as an iconic Hong Kong restaurant.
The company was named by the founder as such because he had worked in an Australian farm in the 1940s and now, his resto is one of the most popular “chaan tengs” or HK stye cafe or diners most common as breakfast places.
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Its sole branch is located in Jordan in Kowloon along Parkes Street. And it has always been plagued with a long queue especially during breakfast as locals and tourists vie for seats to start their day with their specialties.
The restaurant is notable for its efficiency as even during the rush breakfast hour when I visited, my orders came out in less than a minute.
While it is also infamous for its rude service, I didn’t experience it that time. Maybe they just improved over the years or I was just lucky then.
So what to order as a first timer at Australia Dairy Company?
The obvious choice is the “Breakfast Set” consisting of macaroni with ham soup, toasted and buttered bread, fluffy scrambled eggs OR fried eggs and drinks of choice (hot or cold coffee or milk tea)
So what’s my verdict? First, its true that service is fast - my macaroni soup arrive within 20 seconds while the eggs and toast 10 second later.
While I waited for my drink, I guess it was customary for them to serve it when they see you almost finished as I have observed with my seatmates - I shared a table with 3 other strangers, which is very common in Hongkong.
The macaroni and ham soup tastes like the way it looks - bland macaroni with bouillon-infused(?) broth and slightly flavored ham. Instant noodles have more flavor, in my opinion.
The scrambled eggs are their signature breakfast staple and is praised online. But its just a regular looking and tasting for me - nothing spectacular.
The toast was good but nothing to rave, so as the coffee.
But it was over-all a very curiosity satisfying experience especially for someone who waited 4 visits to Hongkong just to try their specialties.
But at around PhP 340 (breakfast set) when converted it seem expensive for simple breakfast of soup, toast and egg plus coffee.
At that rate, one can get a much worthy breakfast - from turo turo to local fastfood to rice toppings or some combo from Don Don Donki.
While they are is also famous for its signature egg custard pudding (yellow and white) the former being steamed egg custard with almond juice while the latter steamed milk pudding with egg white - I didn’t order since I have tried in a different cafe before and at an additional expense of of around ₱210 per boel - its too much to spend ₱550 for a light breakfast.
My Australia Dairy Company experience, despite my negative reviews, was still a good visit but more on the curiosity-satisfaction and more importantly, I have another HK foodie hot spot ticked off my bucket list.
Will I be back? That remains to be seen…