Say Cheese! We try out The Dutch Cheese & More in Sheung Wan

In a city that serves an array of international cuisines, caters for all palettes and has official ‘foodie heaven’ status, it’s a wonder good, specialty cheese is an uphill battle to find. I’d resigned myself to thinking it just wasn’t on Hong Kong’s culinary priority list, until I made a recent discovery…

The Dutch Cheese & More is a store specialising in exactly what the name suggests. Located along Queen’s Road Central in Sheung Wan, chances are you have already walked past the shop multiple times (there is also another store in Sai Kung).

Literally packed to the brim with delicious Dutch cheese, there are around 18 semi-hard varieties (all produced in wheels) sold in a range of maturities: young, mature, aged, and extra old. It’s interesting to note a lot of Gouda on the market is uncertified – in order to be the real deal, the milk used needs to come from North Holland. Completely authentic, The Dutch Cheese & More has Gouda flown in from Holland every few weeks.

You can’t really go wrong with any of the cheese choices on offer; however, my favourites are the chilli cheese, the pesto cheese and the aged farm cheese with salt flakes.

The happy hour deal has to be one of the best kept secrets in Central. Running from 3pm – 8pm, you get two (generously poured) glasses of wine and a platter with two types of cheese and Dutch condiments for just $120. Although the store isn’t exactly spacious, a small group can park up comfortable at one of the bar leaners.

If you’re not much of a cheese expert, the staff are well schooled on what cheeses pair well with what wines and food. Perfect for dinner parties or gifts, they can create custom platters and gift baskets. The store is also available to hire for private events and cheese master classes!

Whether you’re a cheese fiend or just keen to scope out something a little different, The Dutch Cheese & More is definitely worth a visit – especially during happy hour!

The Dutch Cheese & More, 232 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, 3543 0081, www.thedutch.hk

The Dutch Cheese & More, 19 Hoi Pong Street, Sai Kung, Hong Kong, 2792 1036, www.thedutch.hk