January is the month of New Year's resolutions, gym memberships, and vague promises about summer bodies. In that spirit - and with impeccable logic - I decided to visit one of the most talked-about Chinese restaurants in Slovenia. Hong Kong 2 in Komenda.
First impressions
The prices might give you a slight pause at first glance. They shouldn't. What you get in return is friendly staff, a genuinely warm owner who actually smiles at you, and a relaxed atmosphere that larger Asian restaurants in the city often miss entirely. This isn't a place where you feel processed through a table. You feel welcome at one.
What I ordered
- Mongolian roasted beef
- Chicken chop suey
- Bean sprout salad
- Spring rolls with minced beef
- Drinks
Total for two: €44.10. Given the portion sizes and the quality of what arrived at the table, that's not a number worth complaining about.
The portions are generous - properly generous, not "generous for a Tuesday" generous. The Mongolian beef was rich and well-textured, the chop suey clean and well-seasoned, the spring rolls exactly what spring rolls should be. Everything arrived hot, and everything tasted like someone in the kitchen actually cared.
The experience
Service was friendly and fast. The atmosphere is pleasant, though it can feel slightly tight on weekends when the place fills up - which it does, for good reason. If you're planning a Friday or Saturday visit, book ahead.
The price-to-quality ratio here is one of the better ones I've encountered recently. Not everything needs to be in Ljubljana to be worth your time.
The verdict
Hong Kong 2 is not a compromise. It's not "pretty good for Komenda." It's just good - full stop. Go hungry, bring someone worth sharing spring rolls with, and don't let the drive put you off. It's shorter than the queue at most Ljubljana restaurants on a Saturday night anyway.