With residents often complaining about Hong Kong's awful pollution, haziness, humidity and heat, it is too easy to forget that we are also blessed with wonderful beaches, which makes boating one of the most common and enjoyable outdoor activities in Hong Kong, especially during the wonderful and slightly cooler September weather. With banana boats, wakeboarding and swimming to the beach all commonly on every junk's agenda, fuelling up with food is key to having a good day out. And if you're as tired of the lukewarm and bland finger-food that are so often found onboard as we are, make sure to try out some of these junk catering services from some of our favourite restaurants.

Koh Thai

Koh Thai, the Thai restaurant on Wyndham Street in Central as well as a brand new outlet in J Senses in Wan Chai, offers special packages for junk rental and onboard food. The restaurant has three different types of junks which can accommodate 28, 40 or 45 people. On top of the junk rental, for HK$260 per head for adults and HK$110 for children under the age of 12, the party can enjoy a delightful Thai food and drink package, based on a minimum charge of 25 people. The package includes a seasonal Thai fruit platter plus a choice of eight different selections from their lists of snacks, appetisers, salads, curries and desserts. Recommendations include the crispy golden prawn cakes, deep-fried and served with Thai hot chilli dressing; a refreshing and light shredded green papaya salad with lemon dressing; and a yellow curry with your choice of meat. For drinks, the package includes juices and sodas along with a variety of wine and spirits such as white wine, Seabreeze cocktail and free-flow of Thai Singha beer or Philippine San Miguel beer. Last, but not least, there will be two servers on board to help you out with the food. 

For enquiries and bookings, please call +852 6014-8460 or visit: www.kohthai.com.hk.

Main St. Deli

For those who get cravings for classic American snacks such as mini-burgers and deli sandwiches, Main St. Deli from The Langham hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui is your best bet. The all-inclusive party menu features all the classics from its famous mini-burgers, fresh salads and appetisers, seafood, meats and its popular New York cheesecakes.

For something convenient and tasty on the boat, we recommend its deli sandwich wheels that are available with popular deli favourite fillings such as kosher salami and Montreal smoked beef; and its assorted seafood and meat tray with fried sole, grilled chicken fillets, pan-fried English bangers and deep-fried calamari.

If you're not a big drinker, Main St. Deli also offers Dr. Brown's famous sodas and root beer with flavours such as black cherry, original cream soda and ginger ale.

There is no minimum order, yet delivery charges applies with regards to districts for example in Tsui Sha Tsui it would be HK$150, while for Hong Kong Island it is HK$500. If ordering for 20 people or more, 24 hours preparation time is required and cutlery and utensils are available upon request.

For enquires, please call +852 2132-7898.

Red

Straight from the kitchen of the popular alfresco Red at IFC mall, the restaurant's junk catering menu costs HK$360 per person with a minimum order of 20 people. Its special menu includes a large array of appetisers, mains and desserts. Specialities such as soft-shell crab and avocado sushi rolls, mushroom frittata with bell pepper, baked macaroni and cheese with black truffles; and chocolate brownies will definitely make your junk trip a cut above the norm. It is advised to order your food one week before the event and you would need to pick up the food directly from the restaurant that, luckily, is very close to the Central Pier. Though cutlery is provided, you will need to have your own plates and cups.

For enquiries, please call +852 8129-8882.

Feast (by East)

The vibrant Feast café at East Hotel in Tai Koo provides catering services tailored to individual requirements and different occasions, including junk trips. From deli classics from its takeaway outlet, Feastaway, to more substantial items from the Feast café menu, this stylish café should have no problems meeting all the requirements of your guests. From baguettes to bagels, salads to main dishes and regional specialities such as pan-roasted Catalan pork loin, all you need to do is to discuss with the café to customise your onboard menu and they will do the rest. There is a minimum order of HK$1,500 for free delivery to neighbouring areas such as City Plaza, One Island EAST and Taikoo Place, while other locations are subject to extra delivery costs with regards to the location and they would only deliver you if an order of HK$1,500 or more is placed. Ordering one week ahead of the event is required and cutlery is provided.

For enquiries, please call +852 3968-3777.

Ricks

If you can't get away to a Grecian island this summer, ordering your junk treats from Ricks at Soho, the Greek restaurant in Central, may be the next best thing. Recommendations include Greek salad, hummus with pita, char-grilled lamb on skewers and mussels in white wine sauce with oregano. There is a minimum order for different districts such as HK$100 for Central and Wan Chai, while the minimum order is HK$300 for Quarry Bay. Delivery is free and cutlery, plates and cups are available up on request.

For more information, please call +852 2525-5520 or visit: www.foodexpress.hk.