There are few places in the world that put you in the mood for long, spicy lunches and ice cold drinks the way Hong Kong does. The humid heavy air that moves around you like something living, the hypnotic smell of street food everywhere you go, bottles of San Miguel beading from their chilled cases. Here’s our guide to Hong Kong’s most exciting culinary neighbourhoods. This gallery is brought to you by Hong Kong Tourism Board.
A solid working class neighbourhood, Sham Shui Po is home to some incredible cheap eats and some of the best shopping streets in all of Hong Kong. Insider tip: Paul Au’s truly incredible second-hand record store, Vinyl Hero. Just above Apliu Street, the shop is packed from floor to ceiling with over 400,000 vinyl records.
Tuck into a hearty bowl of glutinous rice noodles (doggie’s noodles) and faux shark fin soup and duck, served up in a rich broth with liberal helpings of mushrooms and minced meat. Where: G/F, 88 Fuk Wing St, Sham Shui Po
A beloved local eatery that still makes noodles the traditional way from scratch, Lau Sum Kee is best known for wonton soup noodles with dried shrimp roe. You can taste delicious noodles that are made daily by kneading with a bamboo pole. Where: G/F, 48 Kweilin St, Sham Shui Po
Staying close, The West Kowloon Cultural District is a vibrant cultural quarter located on a dramatic harbour-front, in the heart of Hong Kong. Wander from the visually arresting Hong Kong Palace Museum to the beautiful waterfront promenade of the Art Park for the best sunset views of the harbour.
The highly anticipated Korean sensation Mosu has found a Hong Kong outpost in the M+ museum. Boasting a two Michelin-starred, daily set tasting menu, the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows give a magical, panoramic view of the city. Where: Cultural District, 3/F, M+ Tower, West Kowloon
FAM is a neon, art deco daydream that combines contemporary Chinese cuisine, art and music together in one destination. With 180-degree views of the Victoria Harbour and the Art Park’s sprawling lawn, their dim sum menu includes a modern twist on staples like shrimp dumplings, abalone and wild mushrooms in puff pastry, and baked turnip cake. Where: GF- 01-03, 22 Museum Drive, West Kowloon
To get a true sense of how Hong Kong became the bustling metropolis it has, you have to spend a little time in the city’s dynamic Old Town. Here you’ll find temples sharing the same streets as contemporary art galleries, concept boutiques sitting beside traditional tea houses, and incredible Michelin-star eateries from both ends of the high/low dining scale.
World famous chef Olivier Elzer’s “Yakifrenchy” concept of using the traditional Japanese robata method to breathe new life into classic French dishes. Spatially huge, Clarence is segmented into four areas; a raw fish and wine experience for Japanese sushi counter dining, the sommelier room with its collection of rare wines, the main dining room and the lounge. Where: 25F, H Code, 45 Pottinger St, Central
Home to both Hong Kong wonton institution, Mak’s Noodle, and their direct (literally, situated across the road) competitor Tsim Chai Kee, finding an incredible meal on Wellington street is all but guaranteed. If Mak’s or Tsim Chai Kee are packed, take yourself a little further down to Wang Fu for dumplings that will change your life. Where: Wellington St…obviously
Finally, when you’re ready for a few hours out of the bustle, Sok Kwu Wan and Yung Shue Wan’s waterfront streets on Lamma Island are the perfect antidote. The breathtaking scenery of the historic fishing villages, the Lamma Island Family Walk and Fisherfolks Village give an entirely new perspective of Hong Kong’s cultural history.
Lamma Rainbow has been serving up fresh, succulent seafood for almost thirty years. Top dishes are the steamed catch of the day and black bean clams, or ‘peeing’ shrimp fried with salt and pepper. The restaurant even has a complimentary ferry that will take you to and from the city centre. Where: 23-25 First Street, Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island
Perfectly placed on the waterfront half way through the village of Yung Shue Wan, this is the absolutely perfect place to sit with a frosty beer and watch the boats come in. The menu is almost exclusively fresh seafood – all manner of fish, mussels, scallops, razor clams, abalones, prawns, lobster, and crabs stir-fried with lots of garlic. Heaven. Where: G/F, 43 Main St, Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island. Head here for more information about Hong Kong’s flourishing food scene and vibrant precincts. For latest travel requirements for inbound travellers to Hong Kong, please head here. This gallery is brought to you by Hong Kong Tourism Board.
