Lo Hey HK Seafood Review: Legit “Typhoon Shelter”-Style Stir Fried Crab At Holland Village

Lo Hey HK Seafood is a Hong Kong-style seafood restaurant at One Holland Village

Cue the Wong Kar Wai glamour, Anita Mui’s soulful tunes, and Leslie Cheung’s timeless charm. Picture a tank of live seafood reminiscent of old-school Chinese restaurants, paired with a banquet of iconic Hong Kong dishes that whisk you straight back to the city’s golden age. Find it all at Lo Hey HK Seafood, One Holland Village’s latest gem, where authentic Hong Kong-style street seafood meets a cinematic ambience, blending the vibrant essence of classic HK seafood eateries with the nostalgic allure of the 1980s-90s Hong Kong cinema.

Food at Lo Hey HK Seafood

We began our tasting by doing some actual lo hei—the LO HEY Tossed Chicken Salad ($22.80++)—for good luck and prosperity of course. The star of the plate was a succulent poached chicken, perfectly tender and juicy.

Complementing it was a vibrant medley of vegetables, crisp, zesty, and bursting with freshness, all brought together by a tangy vinaigrette that elevated the dish’s flavours.

Next, we tried the Hami Melon Sea Conch Chicken Soup ($58++), a heartwarming and comforting broth that featured fresh Xinjiang Hami melon, dried sea conch, scallops, pork ribs, and ginseng, all simmered in a pot for eight hours. The broth was light yet delightfully layered, with the subtle brininess of sea conch shining through. I loved that the pork ribs were incredibly tender, and also added a satisfying richness to an otherwise light soup.

Then, we tried the Torched Cheese Busting Tofu ($10.80++). As a big fan of both tofu and cheese, I had really high hopes for this dish, but it didn’t quite deliver. While the tofu was fried to a delicate softness, I thought it still lacked a depth of flavour, leaning more towards being salty than fragrant. The torched cheese and tobiko did add a subtle richness and texture, but overall, the dish didn’t fully live up to its potential.

We also tried the Nostalgic Braised Beef Short Ribs ($42.80++), featuring a prime 200-day grain-fed Australian Black Angus short rib, braised for over two hours in a savoury broth of tomatoes and potatoes. While the beef was tender and rich, I found the flavours to be a bit overpowering, with the sauce coming across as slightly pungent and too strong for my taste.

Next up was the Traditional Soya Sauce Duck ($30++/ for half, $58++ for whole). Made with 100-day free-range duck and slow-braised for two hours in the classic Hong Kong style, the dish blends over 20 ingredients, including galangal, dang gui, and premium Hong Kong soy sauce. While I found the sauce a bit too sweet for my liking, the duck itself was excellent—tender and soft, with a texture that was easy to bite through.

After two meat dishes that I thought were pretty heavy on the palate, we finally got to try the  ‘Typhoon Shelter’ Style Stir Fried Crab ($9.80++ per 100g), which I was really excited about. For the uninitiated, the “Typhoon Shelter” style stir-fried crab is a popular Cantonese seafood dish that originated in Hong Kong. Its name, “Typhoon Shelter”, actually refers to the traditional sheltered waters where fishermen would seek refuge during storms. This well-loved dish involves cooking a whole live crab in a unique blend of spices, making it really aromatic and fragrant.

With such high expectations, I was actually bracing for disappointment. To my delight, the dish was nothing short of fantastic. The crab was incredibly tender, sweet, and juicy, complemented by the savoury, flavourful, and crispy cereal coating. The fried garlic added an incredibly well-rounded aroma, which elevated the entire dish to a whole new level. I absolutely loved it!

After such a flavourful feast with the crab, we moved on to something milder in flavour, yet no less delicious—the Steamed Fish with Pickled Chilli & Kiam Chye ($10 per 100g). The fish was incredibly fresh, with a natural sweetness and a wonderfully soft texture that almost melted in your mouth. The pickled chilli and kiam chye added just the right amount of tang and depth, which enhanced the fish without overpowering its natural sweetness.

Next, we tried the Wok Fried Uni Mayo Prawn Balls ($24.80++), and I was thoroughly impressed. The prawn balls were fried to perfection, with a delightful wok hei that added depth to each bite. The subtle hint of uni here was balanced, enhancing the creamy richness of the dish without overpowering it. Highly recommended!

Finally, we had the Sauteed Watercress with Dried Shrimp ($16.80). The wok hei was evident, adding a depth of flavour. However, the sauce didn’t fully penetrate the vegetables, so I could still taste the natural bitterness of the watercress. This might not be for those who aren’t fans of bitter greens. That said, the dish had a satisfying crunch, making it a refreshing, textural contrast to the other dishes.

We wrapped up our meal with two desserts—the Mango Sago with Pomelo ($6.80) and the Homemade Almond Paste with Sweet Potato ($6.80). We really enjoyed the mango sago; it’s a classic that’s hard to go wrong with. 

The almond paste, however, had a strong almond taste, which I didn’t particularly enjoy, though that’s just my personal preference as I’m not a fan of almond-based desserts. The addition of sweet potato, however, was a lovely touch—sweet and soft, it balanced out the almond flavour, making the dish overall a lot more enjoyable.

Ambience at Lo Hey HK Seafood

Lo Hey HK Seafood is nestled in a cosy corner on the third level of One Holland Village, about a three-minute walk away from Holland Village MRT Station. The restaurant is spacious, with vibrant lighting and music that immerses you in the glamour of 80s and 90s Hong Kong cinema. To the left of the main entrance, a large wall of live seafood instantly transports you to those vintage Chinese seafood restaurants, assuring guests of the freshness of their offerings. 

For those seeking a more intimate experience, the restaurant also offers two private rooms, ideal for big gatherings—the minimum spending for the larger room is $800, while the smaller room requires a $500 minimum.

The verdict

Lo Hey HK Seafood serves up some truly amazing fried crab, fried prawns, and a variety of other authentic Hong Kong seafood dishes. If you’re craving a hearty and genuine Hong Kong dining experience, be sure to check it out the next time you’re in the area!

For some mouth-watering Singaporean-Malaysian food to try, read our Wild Coco coverage. For more food gems in the area, check out our Holland Village food guide.

Address: 7 Holland Village Way, #03-22/23/24, One Holland Village, Singapore 275748
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 3pm, 5:30pm to 10pm
Tel: 6592 2699 or 9615 8899
Lo Hey HK Seafood is not a halal-certified eatery.

Photos taken by Marcus Neo
This was a media tasting at Lo Hey HK Seafood