7 Popular Eateries in Hong Kong (No Dim Sum in this List)!
October 02, 2018
I love Hong Kong — Pearl of the Orient, top travel destination for Singaporeans and land of lip-smacking Cantonese dim sum, silk stocking milk tea and more! This dynamic global city was once a crown jewel of the British Empire and British influences can still be seen in the beautiful architecture and amazing local cuisine. We all love having dim sum in lively tea houses in Hong Kong. But do you know that Hong Kong has tons of other delicious food too?
Before you read on, get ready to find the cheapest flights and grab the best hotel deals on Wego!
We are very sure that after reading this post, you’ll want to fly to Hong Kong right away!
Block 18 Doggie’s Noodle (十八座狗仔粉)
This stall on the corner of Ning Po Street is listed in the Michelin Guide Hong Kong. Doggie’s noodle is actually a noodle snack popularised in the 1950/60s. The noodles are made with rice flour, and taste quite similar to udon! The thick, gooey, and flavourful soup that’s made from dried shrimps and garlic complement the noodles really well!
The braised duck leg was especially good. Think fork-tender meat basking in a bowl of imitation shark fin soup that’s chock full of shredded black fungus.
Seats are limited so be prepared to share tables with other diners, or do takeaways!
Ju Xing Home 聚興家
This hole-in-the-wall eatery beside Prince Edward Station Exit D is helmed by 38-year-old Chef Wu Jiang Qiao（吳江橋). Apparently, this is the hidden gem / secret supper place of many hotel Chinese chefs.
One of Ju Xing Home’s secret weapons is this Clam Soup. Freshwater fish is boiled for hours, and the resulting opaque white broth is full of its essence. What makes the soup impressive is the addition of rice which gives the soup a creamy consistency.
The Steamed Soon Hock with Crispy Ground Nuts (豆酥蒸筍壳鱼) is quite special too. The chef shared that the ground nuts need to be stir fried till fragrant and thick, before they can be topped on the tender and moist fish.
Ju Xing Home is a small cosy eatery, so please pop by early as they are usually packed by 6pm!
Kau Kee Restaurant 九記牛腩
Kau Kee is a beef brisket legend. They have been owning the beef brisket game for nearly a century. Located in a tiny space on Gough Street, Kau Kee is difficult to miss because there’s always a queue stemming from it.
Kau Kee, which started out as a roadside stall, was set up by Mr Pan, whose nickname is Ah Kau (阿九, and thus the name 九记牛腩). 30 years ago, Kau Kee was handed to Mr Pan’s son who is the current boss of Kau Kee.
They are most famous for two items – Beef Brisket Kway Teow Soup and Curry Beef Tendon Noodle. Kau Kee’s beef brisket is perfectly soft, and wonderfully delicious. The kway teow soup is light and mildly sweet, while the curry is super rich and spicy. It’s hard to pick a favourite, both are amazing!
Lan Fong Yuen (蘭芳園)
Lan Fong Yuen (蘭芳園) is the pioneer of Hong Kong milk tea. They have been around since 1953! People say that if you haven’t visited Lan Fong Yuen, you haven’t been to Hong Kong!
Its French Toast is coated generously with egg batter and deep fried till the exterior is crispy. The buttery fragrance whetted my appetite before the toast even arrived!
For the perfect afternoon tea, pair the toast with HK Style milk tea, also known as “silk stocking tea”. Using 5 different tea leaves from New Zealand and mixed according to their golden ratio, Lan Fong Yuen’s milk tea might just impress you.
Kwan Kee Bamboo Noodle (坤記竹昇麵)
Kwan Kee Bamboo Noodles is a shop in Cheung Sha Wan that still makes bamboo kneaded noodles by hand. They set up shop in Macau in the early 90s, but the first KK noodles in Hong Kong only opened in 2010. They are now a Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee!
The yellow egg noodles are kneaded daily and rolled with a huge bamboo pole, giving them an incredible texture when cooked. The Fresh Shrimp Wanton with Noodle (36 HKD/6 pcs), which a comforting bowl of noodle soup with sizeable juicy dumplings that are filled with whole shrimp and pork, is a hot favourite.
Don’t miss the signature Tossed Noodles with Shrimp Roe and Oyster Sauce (42 HKD) and Pig Trotters in Nam Yue Sauce (65 HKD) too.
Each bowl of noodles is priced between 30 HKD to 70 HKD. Alight from Cheung Sha Wan MTR Exit C1 and walk for about 5 minutes. Keep a lookout for the shop, which will be on your left.
Tung Po Kitchen（东宝小馆）
Dai pai dong is like our typical tze char stall in Singapore. Unfortunately, dai pai dong stalls are very rare in Hong Kong these days, with less than 30 stalls nationwide.
Located at Municipal Services Building, Tung Po（东宝小馆） is a very famous dai pai dong. They serve a wide range of dishes and even have pasta!
The Fried Salted Egg Yolk “Golden” Shrimp sees whole shrimps with shells coated in salted egg yolk. The prawns are super crunchy, and tender at the same time.
My favourite dish was the Deep Fried Pork Knuckle (HK$88) which had a delightfully crispy skin. The meat was served with a tasty salted paste. Eat in moderation!
Remember to make reservations (from 2.30pm to 5.30pm) or go before 7pm to beat the crowd.
Ya Po Bean Curd
Hidden in Dapo’s street market in Sha Tin, Ya Po Bean Curd, which makes their soy products from scratch, has been around for a long time.
It is pretty easy to locate this place because you will usually see people crowding outside the shop enjoying their beancurd. Each of us ordered a bowl of warm beancurd (HK$7) and we loved it to bits! The beancurd was sooooo smooth, and I don’t think I have ever tasted such delicious tau hway!
Accommodation in Hong Kong
Not sure where to stay in Hong Kong? Well, here are two hotels that we highly recommend!
Hotel Stage
Designed for the curious traveller, this stylish hotel takes its guests on a neighbourhood journey through the lens of history, culture and art. Paying homage to the local art community, the boutique hotel features 97 guest rooms and suites, with oversized windows that allow natural light to stream in.
From cosy Superior rooms to Suites with dining and living areas, Hotel Stage has a room for everyone.
Madera Hollywood
Madera Hollywood is located conveniently in Central, just a few minutes away from Lan Kwai Fong. Paying tribute to Hollywood icons such as Charlie Chaplin, Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe, the new boutique hotel adds a splash of whimsical vibrancy to Central with its pop art murals.
The one-bedroom suites which are complemented by the finest modern amenities are huge and tastefully designed.
We hope we’ve gotten you Hongkong-ready! Have more milk tea on our behalf!
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