Flaming Frango has been kicking around Soho for a little while now and I finally made it over to try their Piri Piri chicken in hopes of reliving my Nando’s experience in London. I arrived on a Tuesday evening ready to devour all of their Piri Piri goodness after a long day at work and was surprised to find the restaurant buzzing with people. Though the service was a bit slow, I was genuinely surprised at what good value (both quality and quantity of food) our meal at Flaming Frango was, considering Hong Kong has become a haven for restaurants that serve mediocre dishes the size of my palm at shockingly high prices.

Vibe at Flaming Frango

Flaming Frango may not be an ideal date-night destination given its rather cramped quarters (though I did notice there was an upstairs dining area that wasn’t being used), but it’s the perfect spot to catch up with a friend over a casual meal. You can expect the dining area to be loud and busy, making your meal a bit more lively than usual. There are also two tables outside if you’re wanting to do some serious people-watching when the weather’s on your side.

Drinks

Lychee & Lemongrass Colada, Sangria (HK$88)

We began our meal with a pair of much-needed drinks, and since we couldn’t exactly decide what to order, we chose one Lychee & Lemongrass Colada and one Sangria (HK$88). The sangria was your typical red sangria and certainly hit the spot at the end of the day, but it was the colada that really stood out for me. This drink is perfect for the summer months; a smooth blended boozy beverage with subtle hints of lemongrass and a strong lychee taste.

Starters

Piri Piri Prawns (HK$138)

Mediterranean Salad (HK$98)

Portobello Mushroom Strips (HK$68)

Since Flaming Frango is known for their Piri Piri dishes, we began with the signature Piri Piri Prawns (HK$138). Though admittedly on the pricey side, these juicy prawns were bursting with flavour and left a bit of a singe on your tonge from the marinade. I also tried the Mediterranean Salad (HK$98); a heaping bowl full of crunchy vegetables covered in a light, flavourful dressing, with the highlight being the perfectly grilled haloumi. One of the most popular starters on the menu was the Portobello Mushroom Strips (HK$68), and for a very good reason. These deep fried thick chunks of mushroom had the perfect balance of crispiness in the batter (which was surprisingly light and didn’t overpower the taste of the mushroom) and a soft center.

Mains

Chicken & Mushroom Burger (HK$168)

1/4 Chicken Leg & Thigh (HK$88)

I’m just going to dive right into it: I loved the Chicken & Mushroom Burger (HK$168). This towering burger comes loaded with a massive slice of mushroom, a tender piece of chicken, and plenty of cheese, with coleslaw and fries. Once you’ve mastered the fine art of figuring out how to actually bite into this monstrous burger, you’ll be well on your way to a very satisfied belly. Since you can’t go to Flaming Frango’s without ordering the Piri Piri chicken, we opted for the 1/4 Chicken Leg & Thigh (HK$88). Their chicken is marinated for 24 hours and you can opt for additional medium or spicy sauce to be rubbed on before being grilled. Both the leg and thigh, although looking a bit lonely on the plate, were delicious and had just the right amount of seasoning.

Verdict

If you’re craving a cheeky Nando’s in Hong Kong, Flaming Frango is the next best thing. The dishes are full of flavour, the prices are very reasonable, and you will definitely leave feeling satisfied.

Flaming Frango
36B Staunton Street
Soho, Central
Hong Kong

Tel: 2899 2244