'I found some of the best Hong Kong food in the tiny Eccles takeaway with no website and a Facebook page in Cantonese'

Everyone likes a good treasure hunt. A while ago a friend - highly trusted in such matters - had mentioned in hushed tones that apparently a mate had said that ‘the best Hong Kong food in the north west’ is from a place in Eccles.

It was something about the ‘in the north west’ part. Not just ‘in Chinatown’, or ‘the best in Manchester’, but ‘in the north west’. We’re talking about a big chunk of the country. We’re talking Liverpool too here, people. Even - yes, I know - Warrington.

So I looked it up. It was supposedly called Second Garden. But there’s no website, and just one single relevant result, aside from the many, many listings for ‘second hand garden furniture’. It’s a Facebook page, and it’s all in Cantonese, but it does appear to be a thing, and it’s way down Liverpool Road.

Indulge in more of Ben Arnold's food writing covering Greater Manchester...

One of Stockport's best takeaways is run by an ex-footballer and tucked away by Cash Converters

The takeaway inside an ex-council house in Blackley serves the 'best curry you'll ever have'

'I found Manchester's best sandwich down a very dodgy looking backstreet'

Now, my Cantonese really isn’t up to standard. That’s my failing. But hitting 'translate' is like reading a peculiar and surreal poem. Dreamlike, almost. An example from the Q&A section: “Relieve hunger to make all-Kong food? - Temporarily careless Harajuku Sarima middle-style takeaway, authentic isolation, bang bang, and jobless trial.” Ooo-kay.

Another: “I look forward to seeing you all again in the coming days. Thank you for being with me all the way. I have to eat and fight through the river.” Don’t we all, pal. Don’t we all.

All I’ve really learned is the address, that the pictures make the