Still Captivating at JW Café

Hong Kong's high-quality buffets can be counted on one hand! Recently, I revisited one of my favorite spots to relive the deliciousness, and the food quality remains as charming as ever, leaving me utterly delighted. I'm talking about the JW Café at JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong in Admiralty, which reopened in October. As soon as you step into the restaurant, you're greeted by the dessert section! Leading the way are Tiramisu, Blackcurrant Chestnut Cake, Thai Milk Tea Panna Cotta, Madeleine, Yin-Yang Swiss Roll, Serradura, Mixed Nut Tart, and Earl Grey Basque Cheesecake. There are also Chestnut Financier, Cheesecake, Chocolate Nut Cake, Raspberry Chocolate Mousse Cake, Pistachio Cherry Cake, and Perfumed Lemon Chiffon Cake. Finally, there are Apple Crumble, Bread Pudding, Portuguese Egg Tarts, Molten Chocolate Cake, and Black Sesame Soup. The variety is impressive, with many unique desserts that will surely satisfy any dessert lover. Opposite the dessert section is a chilled counter filled with fresh fruits, including cantaloupe, dragon fruit, watermelon, sweet oranges, and pineapple. As for ice cream, several flavors of Häagen-Dazs cup ice cream are available, but the biggest surprise is the unlimited Japanese Ohayo Caramel Pudding Ice Cream—so exciting! Moving forward, you'll find the appetizer and chilled seafood section! This evening, we enjoyed bread crabs, snow crab legs, Boston lobsters, prawns, and lobster claws. Each type of seafood was perfectly to my taste, making me very happy. The Drunken Shrimp in Huadiao Wine, Spicy Wood Ear Mushrooms, and Marinated Soft-Boiled Eggs were visually appealing, and there were also several types of cheese to choose from. On the other side, there were various cold cuts, including salami, red wine spicy sausage, and three different flavors of smoked salmon. The salad bar offered a wide range of options! There were colorful fresh salad greens with plenty of refreshing toppings and dressings, as well as my favorite DIY Caesar Salad. The pre-made salad selection was also extensive! It included Japanese Salmon Salad, Quinoa Salad, Mango Shrimp Salad, Thai Bitter Melon and Clam Salad, Fried Chicken Salad, Potato Salad, and Italian Caprese Salad. The Japanese food section, of course, featured fresh sashimi! This evening, we enjoyed salmon, yellowtail, geoduck, tuna, surf clams, ark shell clams, octopus, and sweet shrimp. There was also a unique Omakase experience, like opening a blind box! Tonight, we tried the Nodoguro Sashimi, along with rich and flavorful yellowtail and bonito sushi. Next up was the Chinese hot dishes section, which I was most looking forward to! Highlights included Stir-Fried Clams with Black Bean Sauce, Sweet and Sour Pork, and the much-anticipated Wild Rice Soup with Fish Maw. Other dishes included Sea Cucumber, Braised South African Abalone, Prawns, Grouper Belly, and delicious greens. International dishes included Beef Curry, Chicken Oil Rice, Indian Pancakes, Vegetable Curry, and Chicken Curry. Of course, the Hong Kong-style roasted meats were not to be missed! These included Peking Duck, Roasted Pigeon, Honey-Glazed Char Siu, and Poached Chicken. Western hot dishes featured must-try Thick-Cut Ribeye and Roasted Lamb Rack! I've heard both are of excellent quality, so beef and lamb lovers shouldn't miss out. There were also plenty of side dishes to pair with the meats, allowing you to create an authentic steak meal. Other highlights included Butterflied Prawns, White Wine Mussels, Grilled Mackerel, Lobster Pasta, and Baked Salmon. Soups included three options: Cordyceps Flower Soup, Creamy Tomato Soup, and Shredded Chicken and Vegetarian Shark Fin Soup. The made-to-order station featured a unique Shanghai Salted Pork and Vegetable Rice, along with several types of golden, crispy tempura. The live noodle station, filled with a variety of fresh ingredients, allowed guests to customize their own noodle dishes with pork bone broth or clear chicken soup for a one-of-a-kind creation. Finally, there was the luxurious and nourishing Buddha Jumps Over the Wall! Served in purple clay pots with matching spoons and plates, the attention to detail was evident. The soup was rich with abalone, fish maw, shiitake mushrooms, and premium meat, offering a fresh and non-greasy taste that felt very wholesome. For wine lovers like me, I highly recommend adding $220 for the Free Flow Package! It includes unlimited selected red and white wines, Japanese sake, and sparkling tea. My first plate was a healthy selection of appetizers and salads! Honestly, everything was so delicious it felt excessive, but the Drunken Shrimp impressed me the most. The sweet and flavorful shrimp paired perfectly with the aromatic wine sauce, earning a perfect score from me. The sashimi was also of high quality, with my favorite being the fresh and crunchy ark shell clams. The yellowtail and bonito sushi offered a double layer of freshness that was very enticing. The Omakase Nodoguro Sashimi, also known as Blackthroat Seaperch, had firm, rich, and flavorful meat. Paired with the salty and savory salmon roe, it created a more complex taste. The chilled seafood was another highlight! The lobster meat was firm, sweet, and tender, especially the lobster claws. The bread crab roe was aromatic and delicate, while the prawns were bouncy and flavorful. The snow crab legs were filled with the freshness of the sea—absolutely captivating. After the cold dishes, it was time for some hot soup to warm up! With limited space left, I chose the luxurious Buddha Jumps Over the Wall. The use of purple clay pots not only preserved the aroma but also kept the soup warm—a thoughtful touch. The soup was rich with abalone, fish maw, shiitake mushrooms, and premium meat, offering a fresh and non-greasy taste that felt very wholesome. This dish, which my friend jokingly said resembled a banquet dish, was filled with premium seafood. The South African abalone was particularly flavorful, with a chewy texture that became more aromatic with each bite. Even the Chinese broccoli was exceptional—it's been a long time since I've had such crisp and sweet greens. The most enticing dish was undoubtedly the Wild Rice Soup with Fish Maw! The fish maw was large and thick, offering a luxurious texture, while the wild rice soup provided a novel and unexpected flavor. I also had Peking Duck and the incredibly delicious Char Siu, but they were so good I forgot to take photos! Finally, at my friend's strong recommendation, I tried two dumplings, which were absolutely outstanding with their thin skin and flavorful filling. I especially loved the chive flavor. Even though I was already full, I had to save room for these two dumplings. The evening was truly delightful, especially with the sparkling tea I love to drink! Upgrading to unlimited drinks was pure happiness, and I tried two refreshing and not-too-sweet flavors that were very enjoyable. Finally, I could only sample a few desserts! Adding some fruit to aid digestion was the perfect way to end the meal. The buffet dinner is priced from $818 per adult. Book through the hotel's online store to enjoy a 20% discount from Monday to Thursday, and a 15% discount on Fridays, weekends, public holidays, and the day before public holidays.