We arrived in Hong Kong with not much of a plan… Tired of a lot of work in the last months, we didn’t plan any must-sees. There was no list of places we would like to visit, no meals we have to eat. We wanted to take some time off from running around with the camera everywhere and so we decided to go with the flow but still, we we managed to see some places we would like to share with you. Places that differ from each other: starting with ordinary bars with queues made from locals demanding noodle soups or dim sums and desserts that looked quite exotic in for us ending with elegant spots where you have to wait for your table with a number in your hand on most evenings.
They all have one thing in common in my opinion – all are located near places worth seeing in Hong Kong and so it’s easy to visit them on the way. For us it was kind of a new thing 🙂 We adjusted our culinary plan to the sightseeing plan, even though we usually do it completely the other way and we can cross the whole city to get to the restaurant we dreamed about. This time we gave up on hits, number 1s and even places recommended by our friends. We wanted to carelessly stroll around the streets of Hong Kong. And you know what? It turns out Hong Kong tastes as good almost everywhere! (you can read about our first impressions of HK HERE!)
A few places that may come in handy:
1) DIN TAI FUNG
Our absolute favourite, the only one that got its separate entry – HERE!
Din Tai Fung chain which we knew about from Singapore opened its 140th place this year – in Hong Kong. They have heavenly dim sum dumplings, spicy wontons (love it!), an addictive seaweed salad and an incredibly original spicy and sour soup with tofu and pork. I’m pretty sure everybody who love Asian flavours will love the place too!
Be sure to try sweet dim sums as well, the sesame ones for example! They have 4 restaurants in Hong Kong – we’ve been to the one near the Causeway Bay subway station. All addresses can be found HERE. A must!
2) MAK’S NOODLE
After Din Tai Fung this was another legend you have to put on your list! They specialise in wonton noodles served various ways. We had noodle and wonton soups – perfect for adults and for children too. We visited a little bar on Wellington Street 77, right next to Central Subway station a few steps from Mid-Level Escalators which you have to take a ride on. We found the place in our guide and even though it said that Mak’s Noodle had many years of history (the grandpa was king of the dumplings in the 30s!) but back then we didn’t know it’s a little wonton empire!
They have several shops in Hong Kong, 1 in Macau, two in Singapore. You will find them in The Peak Galleria on Victoria Peak too, so try them after you get on top to enjoy the most beautiful views of the city!
3) 名點心famous Dim Sum – near MTR Prince Edward
Actually, we got here quite accidentally. It was our first morning here and we just had to try some dim sums. We wanted to check One Dim Sum a restaurant with dim sums that, similarly to Tim Ho Wan, has a Michelin star (you can read about it HERE). But we were so hungry and the queue before One Di m Sum was long.. Near the place, we found Famous Dim Sum. With a queue too, but a much smaller one. Happy with a long menu with marked what we wanted with a pencil. The place is crowded, but there are no tourists and an old waitress pours us some green tea smiling while we dip the dumplings and little pancakes feeling confident that going to Hong Kong was a great idea. Try their spicy dumplings and pan-fried beancurd skin with shrimps. Delicious! The other thing that’s great are tendernoodle rolls, not so popular in Poland.
Address: G/F, 7B Playing Field Road, MTR station: Prince Edward
4) LEI GARDEN
We go to Lei Garden because it’s close to Tsim Sha Tsui station. It’s a chain that sells amazing dim sums. We got several extra helpings! We try the branch in Houston Centre (Mody Road 63). As we enter a quite deserted shopping hall that has its golden age long behind we’re not feeling optimistic. But it turns out to be great! We move to B2 floor and there we see crowds of people at noon! Once again we mark our order on a piece of paper like mad, choosing dim sums we would like to eat! Pretty much all of them taste great! That’s the place where Maks falls in love with pork dim sums which from now one become his lunch and dinner.
As for peculiarities, we suggest a grilled aubergine sprinkled with bonito dried tuna flakes and a steamed red dates cake, one of the main Chinese superfoods. Tastes a bit like jelly!;)
Lei Garden can be found in Hong Kong, continental China, Singapore and Macau. In Hong Kong they have more than 10 locations – the full list can be found HERE.
5) HOUSE OF JASMINE
A perfect place for a meal before a ferry trip, to Macau for instance. House of Jasmine can be found on the fourth floor of Harbour City’s Ocean Floor shopping centre near Tsim Sha Tsui. What’s funny is the fact that in the evening you have to acquire a number like at the post office and wait for your turn. But it’s definitely worth it! We’ve got pretty much no pictures because we consumed in a hurry in order not to miss the ferry but they serve great Cantonese food. Musts? Tofu with black beans and scallops!
And beware because Houseof Jasmine serves amazing… desserts! Not only the Asian type. O loved thinnish (rice flour?) pancakes with peanuts, sesame and coconut (incredible!!!) while Łukasz devoured a huge chocolate cookie freshly baked on a frying pan and served with vanilla ice cream! A strong dessert of the year candidate – for the flavour and for the idea too!
6) THE SWEET DYNASTY
If you’re on Victoria Peak and feel like having a quick snack and are not going to Mak’s Noodles, try The Sweet Dynasty. The desserts are the key obviously but there are sum savoury dim sums too. You can choose from rice pancakes – rice rolls, spring rolls or one of the most popular snacks in Hong Kong – turnip cake – a kind of a radish and rice flour pancake which everybody seems to be eating there!
But we came there to try the desserts. Tofu puddings with mango, tapioca served many different ways, warm and cold. We go for a cooled mango pearl tofu pudding which comes covered with a cloud of cold air and is perfectly Asian and refreshing – that’s what I looked for!
Adres: Shop 1B, G/F, The Peak Galleria, Victoria Peak
PS. If you feel the need of something sweet to take with you on while on Victoria Peak, try Gino’s Gelato and their ice cream – preferably pandan, coconut and palm sugar flavours! 🙂 Maks says classic chocolate flavour is perfect too! 🙂
7) CHIU FAT RESTAURANT
An ordinary, local bar. Nothing special, but you’ll need it if you find yourself looking for a quick soup in the evening in the Tsim Sha Tsui and Nathan Road area.
Address: Lock Road, subway station: Tsim Sha Tsui
8) HUI LAU SHAN – HEALTHY DESSERTS
When we left Chiu Fat after having a fish balls soup, we wanted a small dessert, a cocktail or something tasty and intriguing. We found Hui Lau Shan nearby with healthy desserts made from coconut, fruits, jelly and other typical Chinese dessert wonders. We ordered a cocktail with aloe, lots of mango and coconut milk. Delicious!
Hui Lau Shan started as something a bit different in the 60s. Nowadays it’s a chain present not only in Asia but also in the USA.
9) OCEAN SUPER SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
There was one day on which we experienced quite a few culinary disappointments and so we wanted to end it the proper way. We managed to do so in Ocean Super Seafood Restaurant near the MTR Jordan station. The name sounds out of this world, the place looks a bit like a Communist ballroom but the food is perfect! Even though we did not order seafood at all! Tofu with mushrooms, duck, and delicious steamed buns with custard for dessert.
You know what? I already miss it! 🙂 I know that I will look forward to sitting at a table in Hong Kong again, drooling over several bamboo baskets with dim sums….
PS. When it comes to places you should avoid: restaurants in Ngong Ping on Lantau islands. You want experience anything good there. If you plan on seeing Big Budda, eat somewhere else before that!
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