Bebek Bengil 3 Opens in Hong Kong

Hong Kong, home to some of the world's finest restaurants, adds a feather to its cap with the opening of Bebek Bengil 3 (BB3). Imported direct from Ubud, the artistic centre of the Indonesian island of Bali, BB3 is one of the most exciting new restaurant concepts to come to the city in recent times.

Located in Lockhart Road, Wanchai, in the space previously occupied by Cucina, BB3 offers Balinese-inspired ambience and uniquely tasty cuisine. It is operated by Mr. Paul Hsu’s Elite Concepts group, in partnership with the  Balinese owners of Bebek Bengil.

The original restaurant in the group, Bebek Bengil 1 – now affectionately known as BB1 – opened in Ubud in 1990. It was joined later by its sister  restaurant, BB2, also in Ubud. BB3 in Hong Kong brings this singular style of cuisine and atmosphere to a new audience of food lovers.

"Bebek Bengil" means Dirty Duck, and though the restaurant's signature dish is Crispy Duck, those birds are clean and pristine (and delicately  spiced). Back in 1990 when the first restaurant was being built in Ubud, a flock of ducks made a visit, tracking their muddy webbed feet across the floor and tables. The owners decided to name the establishment after the first guests.

Today BB1 and BB2 are famous not only among Balinese locals but also politicians, diplomats, rock stars and actors, Mick Jagger and Chow Yun Fat among the latter groups.

"I first dined at Bebek Bengil back in 1990," says Paul Hsu. "I knew immediately this was perfect for Hong Kong." Located at The Broadway, a vertically integrated commercial building in Lockhart Road, BB3 reflects Elite  Concepts' commitment to the revitalisation of Wanchai with unique dining concepts.

BB3 has terracotta flooring with traditional Balinese style décor, including a thatched bamboo ceiling with lesehan seating (raised floor seating so that diners sit on the floor and put their legs under the dining table) and teak furniture carved in Bali. Highlighting the design are colourful scatter  cushions, water features, bamboo and plenty of hand carved wood. The restaurant can accommodate 94 people.

The menu features a selection of traditional Indonesian dishes, as well as dips and spices, and Bebek Bengil's renowned Crispy Duck. To ensure that  the taste remains the one that made the restaurant a hit in Ubud, the ducks are marinated for 36 hours in a secret age-old recipe of Indonesian spices. They are then steamed and deep-fried for a crispy finish. No silverware required, just fingers! Crispy Duck is served with sautéed potatoes, steamed rice and a side salad.

Other "must-try" dishes at BB3 are duck liver paté and organic shiso salad, satay lilit, beef rending, nasi campur as well as the amazing Black Russian  pie. Signature beverages include the Dirty Duck Martini and a delightfully refreshing Lemongrass Lime Soda.

BB3 is managed by Elite Concepts one of Asia’s leading restaurant groups. Founded in Hong Kong in 1991 by Paul Hsu, Elite Concepts manages a diverse portfolio of restaurants, bars, entertainment complexes and health  clubs in Hong Kong, Jakarta and Shanghai. Outlets in Hong Kong include Yè Shanghai and La Cité in Pacific Place, Cinecittà, Kokage and One-Fifth in Star Street; Klong Bar and Grill (KBG) and BB3 in The Broadway, Wanchai and Yè Shanghai Kowloon at the Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel.