I Tested the All You Can Eat & Drink Limit at Aqua’s Free-Flow Weekend Brunch

“If the limit never approaches anything, the limit does not exist.” – Mean Girls

There isn’t any institution or activity in Hong Kong that strikes both fear and joy into the hearts of chubby, balding, expat bankers and social media marketing evangelists (who create day-in-the-life TikTok reels) quite like the free-flow brunch. And very much like Mark Mcguire and Sammy Sosa of the infamous home run battle in the summer of ‘98, there are only two real names: Aqua and Zuma. 

Considering I’ve already written about Zuma’s free-flow brunch and sung its praises, it was only time that I ponied up and made my way across the Harbor to its Darkside (Kowloon) counterpart – Aqua – to test the free-flow food and booze brunch limit and capture the love (and attention) of the dreamy Aaron Samuels from calculus. 

So, I gathered a gaggle of Frenchmen (Mes frères – aka ‘The Revolution’), threw on the one nice outfit that I own (no, not my ‘Official Bikini Inspector’ t-shirt), made sure I was in bed by 9:30 PM the previous night, and Steamboat Willie strutted (only using this reference because the copyright is in the public domain now) my way over to Tsim Sha Tsui for I day I wouldn’t forget, or remember, or forget, or remember… 

Writing this, I’m still unsure which one it is. 

Without further ado, here’s what you can expect from Aqua’s free-flow brunch and why it should definitely be on your radar. 

Aqua’s Coordinates & First Impressions

Website, Address, & Details: https://aqua.com.hk 

• Location: 17/F, H Zentre, 15 Middle Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui
• Time: Free-Flow Brunch 11 AM – 3:30 PM (last seating at 1 PM), Free-Flow Night Brunch 8:30 PM – 11 PM
• Note: Reservations required

Note: As an American, I already get uncomfortable spelling ‘Center’ with the ‘e’ and ‘r’ switched after the ‘t’ (‘Centre’) so I just have to say that I feel like we’re all being taken for a ride here with having to use a ‘Z’ for the building that Aqua is in – ‘H Zentre’.

Now, I know what you’re thinking – what did I possibly have in common with three Frenchmen other than a shared workspace, love for nuclear and affordable energy, and nostalgia for the guillotine and Napoleonic corporal punishment? Far more than you would think. I consider them some great friends, ones who we definitely don’t hang out with enough. But every time we do, it’s a blast and I’m thankful for their continued presence in my life (in the office and out).

They are some thoughtful, classy, gregarious garçons that I knew going into it would turn up and be ready to rumble – and that’s an understatement. I kind of felt like that white kid Cameron Terrell (known by his street name ‘Milk’) when he was initiated into the Rollin 90s Neighborhood Crips, except I traded the blue bandanas, glock 9s, and hunger for criminal activity for berets, Louis Vuitton tote bags, and thirst for the bubbly. The ‘rat tat tat tat’ for the ‘ratatouille’. 

I digress.

I arrived smack dot on the hour and checked my shoe bag and a Pocari Sweat at the front reception. That’s called taking preemptive measures right there (the Pocari Sweat at least). In the interest of being fully transparent, not a single electrolyte entered my body outside of the salt from tequila shots I ended up taking at 3 AM in the hours that followed.

As I sat down, I was greeted by two of Aqua’s performers dressed in traditional Japanese garb (a kimono and montsuki) who sauntered over and sprinkled several handfuls of pink rose petals on me. I gave them both an emphatic thumbs up and they scurried off, prepping for the show ahead. I snapped several pics of the skyline, out of fear that “if an influencer brunches in a forest yet no one is there to take a picture, did they actually brunch at all?”, and made sure to clarify that “No, regular water, not sparkling, is fine to start, thank you.”

Mes frères arrived shortly (I spent like twenty minutes trying to figure out how to conjugate this in French but gave up). Something must have been in the air that day as there seemed to be an unspoken agreement from the beginning that the bodies were about to hit the floor.

Pale Ale Travel Tip: If I got you all hot and heavy with describing my French posse in Hong Kong and you’re in the market for a sandwich so titillating that you’ll have trouble going back to just any regular grilled cheese again, then make sure to check out my post on ‘Croque Hong Kong’, a new Croque Monsieur haunt that opened up in Central. 

The Brunch Limit Does Not Exist at Aqua

A little primer on the free-flow brunches in Hong Kong – at least at Aqua and Zuma. First, expect edamame to set the tone. Edamame really is the most underwhelming appetizer for a meal, however, it does serve a purpose of allowing you to pick at a light snack while you exchange pleasantries and introductions with those seated next to you. It allows you to suss out the brunch vibe before committing to a plate next to someone you know you’ll run out of conversation with before the first drink is even poured.

Second, you’ll select your actual ‘main course’ from a list of ten or so specialties, such as grilled salmon yuzu teriyaki, stone grilled wagyu sirloin with garlic chips, and homemade tortellini filled with eggplant, tomato, and Parmigiano sauce. I think the beauty of free-flow brunch is that the ‘main course’ isn’t really the main course at all. You’ll see why below. I went with the yuzu teriyaki grilled salmon.

Third, it’s off to the races, as the staff will begin bringing out unlimited assorted Japanese and Italian-inspired dishes such as pork-fried gyoza, assorted sushi, maki, and oyster platters, and burrata and basil salads. You know how Cady Heron I said, ‘The limit does not exist’? This is what I’m talking about. Find your favorites and order as many rounds as you want. 

Fourth, pick your poison…errr…poisons. Depending on your package, you’ll have access to everything from sake and wines to ice-cold nama beerus (beer) and signature cocktails, to various champagnes that I know nothing about. Free flow of course.

You have 2.5 hours. Starting now.

Now, let’s take a look at what I ate and drank, what I loved, and what I didn’t. 

Pale Ale Travel Tip: Make sure to check out my complete breakdown of the best brunches in Hong Kong so that you can brunch literally every single day of the week.

The Booze

Just looking at us when we walked in, the staff must have peeled off to strap on some lightweight Nikes and compression shorts as they knew it was going to be a marathon. Little did they know, I sprint marathons (of the gourmandizing kind).

All of us had engaged in some form of physical activity to begin the day and agreed that several rounds of ice-cold draft beers were only fitting to start things off. I couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was but if I was a betting man (which I am), I think it was Estrella (a tad incongruous with the Japanese-Italian theme but a great, crisp, sessionable beer nonetheless).

From there, we all ordered our respective proseccos and champagnes, mine the ‘prosecco La Gioiosa’ – a fruity (hints of apple), refreshing, slightly dry prosecco without an overpowering acidity. This made it perfect for guzzling by the gallon.  

Then, out of thin air, several carafes of sake appeared before our eyes. If you’ve read any of my posts about the three months I spent living in Osaka, Japan in 2023 then you know that one of my biggest regrets was not consuming enough sake. Wanting to make my future and past self proud, I obliged. At one point, we had roughly 10 full carafes scattered across the table which were all made swift work of before our 2.5 hours expired.

I hesitate to write just how much we actually drank because it’s better to leave it up to your imagination. Just know that this post is titled appropriately and not hyperbole. 

Pale Ale Travel Note: Aqua’s staff really was incredibly attentive, welcoming, and professional, something that really solidified why this is a spot I know I’ll be returning to for years to come.

Burrata, Tomatoes, & Basil Salad

I think I committed some sort of faux pas after the burrata salad was placed in front of us. There were four of us total and, completely forgetting that we could just order another, wanting to ensure that everyone had some soft, plump, chilled curd atop their basil and tomatoes, I foolishly broke it over and tossed it like a Caesar salad at Outback Steakhouse. 

Aqua’s burrata salad was fresh, creamy, fragrant, and whatever other buzzwords I can use to describe it. The drizzle of olive oil atop added an extra richness to the salad that contrasted nicely with the sweet and tangy cherry tomatoes (these things are like candy).

Yellowtail With Onion Sauce

This was one of the stars of the show right here and by far the dish that we ordered the most of. Yellowtail (hamachi)l is a perfect fish for brunch as it is relatively mild and clocks in somewhere between tuna and salmon with its clean profile and slight firmness. 

The Japanese onion sauce drew out hints of the hamachi’s sweetness (attributed to what I suspect was mirin driving it) and reminded me of a better version of the teriyaki sauce you get at Subway (that’s a compliment as I’m actually a die-hard Subway fan, except for Jared).

Assorted Sushi, Maki, Sashimi, & Oysters

The assorted sushi and maki were standard. Remember, they are rolling these things out by the truckload so it’s not going to have an overly complex or profound flavor profile. The orange dollop you see atop the sushi was some sort of sriracha base which definitely overpowered whatever filling was inside. However, the sushi and maki were for sustenance rather than Epicurean excellence.

The sashimi was by far the star of the “seafood boat” and was fresh, slippery, glistening, and free from ragged edges.

The only note that I’d make about the oysters is that they were a lot meatier than I typically prefer (as I’m a boy raised along the Atlantic Ocean/East Coast where oysters are smaller) and I don’t think they were shucked the best as there were noticeable cracks and damaged bits that provided an unexpected crunch. Also, an important side note to mention is that if I ever start a bluegrass band in my life, it will be referred to as ‘Shuckin’ the Corn’. 

Salmon Carpaccio With Caviar

Salmon carpaccio is another favorite of mine and I went through several plates of this alone. It sported a clean ‘oceanic’ taste and wasn’t overly fishy (so it was fresh). It was thinly sliced (as it should be) and silky, and something you could confidently throw over a bagel with cream cheese and call it a New York breakfast. 

What I especially liked about the carpaccio was the fat content of the salmon, which added a butteriness and tender mouthfeel (and textural contrast to the slightly firmer hamachi). 

As for the caviar, I can’t confidently state whether it added or detracted to the depth, as I’ve mentioned before in my post breaking down one of my favorite Eastern European restaurants in Hong Kong (Dacha) I’m not yet sophisticated enough to understand ‘good caviar’. Granted, Aqua isn’t serving Iranian Beluga Almas or Golden Imperial Russian Osetra, so it’s not like it was wasted on my primitive caviar constitution. 

Japanese Spinach With a Sesame Sauce

These were devoured (by me) before I could even get my phone out to take a picture.

This was served in essentially a small sake shot glass and I consumed it as such. I’d rate sesame dressing as a top five “drinkable sauce” that I could consume like Coke Zeros if I really had to. For some reason, the rest of the table wasn’t super fond of these, which worked in my favor as I got to hoard all of them and load up on Popeye-sized doses of it. 

This was standard blanched spinach that took on a color somewhere between bright and dark green and boasted a mildly earthy and sweet flavor. The sesame sauce further drew out sweetness and imparted a nutty (slightly creamy) undertone which added balance to the crisp, creased leaves. 

Italian Porchetta With Rosemary Focaccia

Unfortunately, this is just one that wasn’t placed at my end of the table so I ended up with the scraps. I’m not even sure I saw porchetta, only cured deli meats that could have been picked up at the local ParknShop. I attribute two of my dawgz faring better than I did as the night progressed due to them having consumed several loaves of focaccia. 

Pan-Fried Pork Gyoza

Honestly, I have no idea how I didn’t capture a picture of these. Please comment ‘shame’ as many times as you can below.

If you’re on a boozing rampage, like the dawgz were, then pork gyoza by the truckload is going to be your best friend. This was definitely number two in terms of number of dishes ordered – and likely number one in terms of weight consumed. 

The only major comment I’d make about the gyoza is that I don’t think the traditional thin gyoza wrapper was used, rather, a thicker doughier wrapper which you typically see with Chinese dumplings. The bottom crisped up and browned much more similar to sheng jian bao (fried Chinese pork buns) and gave it a defined shape with a satisfying crunch. 

The filling was the classic minced pork edition – the gold standard for gyoza and/or dumplings (and done justice by whoever was in the kitchen that day).

The Main Course: Grilled Salmon Yuzu Teriyaki

As I mentioned above, the main really isn’t the main as you’re definitely a glutton like me and going to order several rounds of the assorted free flow appetizers and amuse-bouche. However, don’t sleep on it at all.

Maybe it’s because I just haven’t eaten grilled salmon in a while (primarily because I “intermittent fast” and it can be a gamble if I order uncooked fish as my first bite of the day) but Aqua’s grilled salmon was delightful. 

The interior, juicy. The underbelly and skin, kettle-chip crisp with a nice little crackle. Glazed with a liberal coating of yuzu teriyaki sauce, this salmon was sweet, salty, tangy, and slightly acidic. Portion-wise, it was no more than was needed after a gaggle of sashimi and maki boats. 

Assorted Fruit & Dessert Platter (Because It’s Asia)

It wouldn’t be an Asian dessert if there wasn’t an assorted fruit platter with other goodies at the end. What took this to the next level for me was the incorporation of small afternoon tea cakes that allow you to satiate any sweet cravings without destroying any more notches on your already shoddy and pressurized belt. 

Also, can we just agree that nothing hits quite like a slice of pineapple after a meal?

Oh, and you get your own little chocolate fondue bowl in the middle which is a nice change of pace from the cesspool each fondue fountain inevitably turns into at a hotel buffet.

Pale Ale Travel Tip: After you finish brunch, I recommend moving over to Aqua’s Spirit Bar, an outdoor cocktail lounge with unparalleled views of the Hong Kong skyline, and posting up with a final drink or two. 

Aqua vs. Zuma Free-Flow Brunch: Who Reigns Supreme?

Now, I led with the decree that there were two heavyweights in the game, and like the Brownsville hip hop duo M.O.P. aggressively rapped in their song ‘Cold as Ice’, the rest are “just sparring with them.” You may not love the answer but I assure you I have no allegiance to either, so my answer is, “It depends.” 

Frankly, I’ve had some of the best days of the last year or so at both Aqua and Zuma, and think each brings a different vibe, experience, and end goal to the table. 

For example, if you’re in search of one of the best views of Hong Kong Island in the city, then I’d choose Aqua hands down. After you finish your meal, you can also head out to their rooftop terrace (with equally as breathtaking views of the Island) where a DJ begins spinning tunes right around 4 (colloquially referred to as ‘Ritual’). 

If you’re looking to stay on Hong Kong Island, then Zuma it is. When it comes to both takes on fusion izakaya fare, I do have to give the edge to Zuma as I generally just found the depth of the menu to edge out Aqua’s. Further, Zuma’s seafood, in my humble opinion, was of higher quality. 

Additionally, Aqua bills itself as Japanese-Italian izakaya fusion fare. However, the Italian side of things really is more of just a tickle rather than a gastronomical bear hug.

Price-wise, it’s six of one, half a dozen of the other, with Aqua’s superior package clocking (HK$888/person) in just slightly under Zuma’s signature package (HK$1,088/person) – both the lowest starting prices for free-flow alcoholic packages (non-alcoholic run in the mid-HK$600 range). Zuma’s ‘Signature Package’ does include ‘Ruinart’ though. I was told by one of my French dawgz that it is a quality champagne that you should opt for if you have the chance. Aqua includes Ruinart in its ‘Luxury Package’ which comes in at just HK$1,288 per person, so it is slightly more if your heart desires Ruinart. 

Note: Aqua’s free-flow package also includes sake (which Zuma does not). This definitely contributed to why I was “old man groaning” for all of the next day and only saw the inside of my apartment and the Caine Road McDonald’s. 

When it comes to “vibe.” Aka “the vibe check.” Aka I sound like a huge, capital D  ‘something something something’ calling it that. I think both can go head to head against one another. By this, I mean that all staff members are exceptionally welcoming and attentive, both are spots you could post up with a group of friends for a rowdy brunch or a date for a classy start to the night, and they boast aesthetically pleasing, visually vibrant decors. 

Aqua also has brunch time entertainment with their ‘Shibuya Show’, a Japanese-themed love dance with a guy who circles the perimeter while twirling shiny objects (I was lucky enough to share the elevator with him on the way up which I felt to be very serendipitous and in accordance with some sort of prophecy I didn’t get the memo about). 

Aqua also sports ‘two-seaters’ for couples to overlook Hong Kong Island which did allow me to crack a great joke at the beginning to my buddies about how I can’t wait to pair off as the night progresses and move over to the two-seaters. 

Finally, both brunches are 2.5 hours, so there’s really no edge here when it comes to the timeframe.

Pale Ale Travel Note: I would also be remiss not to mention that two incredibly memorable and high-quality brunches I worked into my end of 2023 holiday gorge were ‘Cruise’ in North Point and ‘Madame Fu-Grand Cafe Chinois’ in Tai Kwun (Central). Cruise would 100% be my pick for one of the best brunches on Hong Kong Island with a view of Victoria Harbor while Madame Fu would be my recommended go-to if you’re craving elevated, classic Chinese dishes like Peking duck, siu mai, and kung pao chicken (gong bao ji ding).

Aqua Brunch: Welcome to the Good Life

To be honest, I really wasn’t a “bruncher” in university. I was more of a wake-up without anywhere as close to a hangover as I have now at 33 years old, grab a bagel and/or breakfast sandwich, (potentially) pop a tab of acid, throw on my finest day drinking tank top and frat glasses, and beat my chest like a Bondo Ape after a buddy of mine would sink a beer pong shot. Yes, I was very sophisticated and had many leather-bound books. 

Brunch really only became a pastime and celebrated occasion for this Big Body in his mid-twenties, when I transitioned from being a “stay-at-home-son” to generating (earning?) my own Chipotle allowance. Some days, I do wish my mother would still give me an Andrew Jackson or two to pick up a burrito the size of a Micronesian pygmy. 

A major contributing factor behind brunch’s rise in my weekend power rankings (on top of healthy political debate, contemplating justice, and hiking) is that there are not many better cities in the world than Hong Kong when it comes to brunches – especially of the free-flow kind. 

I’ll leave you with this about Aqua’s free-flow brunch and how it made me feel. At one point, I looked over at one of my dawgz with the Hong Kong Island skyline in the background. He was in such a state of bliss I thought he was one of those capybaras you see lounging at the Japanese onsens. At that moment, I knew this was the good life that Kanye and T-Pain rapped about.

If you have a favorite free-flow brunch (or just regular brunch) spot in Hong Kong, I’d love to hear from you in the comments. Also, are you more of a Zuma or Aqua type of person? 

Brunch well everyone,

Big Body