Sassy’s Go-To Tapas Bar: El Vaso de Oro In Tai Ping Shan

We visited a Spanish bodega in Sheung Wan, where Chefs Carlos serves up soulful, regional tapas and authentic paella made for sharing…

There’s something about Tai Ping Shan that always feels a little like an escape from the city hustle, so it’s only fitting that it’s home to El Vaso de Oro HK. We spent an afternoon tucked away in this Spanish Sai Street gem, and we felt momentarily transported to Chef Carlos Salvador Asensio’s hometown of Barcelona. With a menu inspired by his grandmother’s rustic cooking, El Vaso de Oro HK brings true Spanish soul to Sheung Wan — without any unnecessary flourishes or gimmicks.

Read More: Hong Kong’s Hottest Spanish Restaurants & Tapas Bars

Tapas We’re Still Dreaming About

We started our meal with a spread of tapas from the new menu, and a few stood out as absolute must-orders. The Homemade Chicken & Duck Liver Pate was creamy and paired with the chef’s homemade kumquat jam — let’s just say it disappeared from our table in seconds. We also loved the Oreja de Cerdo, a Madrid classic of crispy pig’s ear served with a spicy brava sauce. The texture is a perfect mix of crunch and chew that pairs brilliantly with a cold drink. For something unique, don’t skip the Pulpo a la Gallega, Galician Style Octopus lightly seasoned with paprika and olive oil. While it was soft and tender, the octopus also had a lovely smokey flavour that set it apart.

Read More: The Best New Menus In Hong Kong This Month

Show-Stopping Mains

The star of the show for us was the Carabinero Prawn Paella. Chef Carlos is a stickler for the socarrat (that prized toasted rice crust at the bottom), and he nails it. The large carabinero prawns are intensely aromatic, lending a deep seafood flavour to every grain of rice.

If you’re more of a meat lover, the Cochinillo al estilo Cándido is a winner. The Segovia-style Roasted Suckling Pig is impossibly tender — literally fall-off-the-bone — with a golden, crackling skin that we’re still thinking about. The side of roasted apple adds a lovely sweetness that cuts through the richness perfectly. It’s also a generous portion, justifying its $598 price tag and making it perfect for sharing.

Save Room For Dessert

We finished on a high note with the Flan de la Abuela and the Pastel de Chocolate (al 70% cacao con helado de Fruta de la pasion), Chocolate cake with passion fruit sorbet. With the former, you can tell ‘Grandma’ didn’t hold back on the vanilla seeds, and the double cream ice cream makes it feel like a proper indulgence. Chocolate lovers will obviously prefer the latter, and we can vouch for its sweet to tart ratio. Order pitcher of the fruity Red Sangria, and you’ve got yourself the perfect Spanish afternoon.

Whether you’re looking for a casual date spot or a place to catch up with friends over shared plates, El Vaso de Oro HK brings a genuine slice of Spanish culture to Tai Ping Shan. We’ll definitely be back for seconds.

 

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El Vaso de Oro HK, 44 Sai Street, Tai Ping Shan, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, 2506 2518, book.bistrochat.com/elvaso-de-oro, Instagram: @elvasodeoro