Aside from attractions like Disneyland, Ngong Ping Cable Car, and Victoria Peak, one of the highlights of a trip to Hong Kong is the food. Its culinary scene offers a lot to food lovers. From traditional Cantonese food to Michelin-starred restaurants to international flavors, you’ll surely have a happy tummy during your trip. Whether you’re craving some siomai, a bowl of wonton noodles, or roasted duck, Hong Kong has something to satisfy your appetite.
We understand that a lot of us travel on a budget, especially those who are going to Hong Kong as their first international destination. Don’t worry — despite being an expensive city in general, there are still food places that are relatively affordable here. There are also some that are on the pricier side, but would be really worth to try. If you’re heading to Hong Kong soon, you might want to check out some of these restaurants and food spots that have earned a spot on our must-try list.
This list is in no particular order.
Tsim Chai Kee
One of the most popular budget-friendly food spots in Hong Kong is Tsim Chai Kee, which has multiple branches across the city. The one on Wellington Street even holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition, so expect the lines to get really long, especially during lunchtime. Fortunately, there are other branches to check out.
On our recent trip, we visited the Queens Road Central branch, which is located in a basement. Tsim Chai Kee is famous for its noodle soup, and it absolutely lives up to the hype. Their freshly made egg noodles have the perfect springy texture. You can choose from a variety of toppings, including fish balls, sliced beef, and their signature pork and king prawn wontons. You can also opt for a combination of toppings, but the broth remains the same — simmered for at least five hours daily to develop deep shrimp and fish flavors with just the right level of saltiness.
We tried the wonton noodle soup, and the prawns inside were outstanding. Despite the filling also containing pork, the prawn flavor still stood out. It’s easily one of the best noodle soups we’ve had, and at just HKD 40 (around P300) per bowl, it’s a great deal. In Hong Kong’s pricey restaurant scene, P300 is considered cheap, so don’t be too shocked by meal prices when dining out here!
TSIM CHAI KEE
Branches: Wellington Street and Queens Road Central in Central (Hong Kong Island); Temple Street in Jordan and Ivy Street in Tai Kok Tsui (Kowloon)
Opening Hours: Wellington Street, 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM (Daily); Queens Road Central, 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Daily); Temple Street, 10:30 AM – 7:15 PM (Mon-Sat) & 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM (Sun); Ivy Street, 11:30 AM – 8:30 PM (Tue-Sat) & CLOSED (Sun-Mon)
What to Eat
Another Michelin-recognized spot in Central is What to Eat, a restaurant known for its Taiwanese-style beef noodle soup. As soon as we entered, we were greeted by walls adorned with newspaper and magazine clippings showcasing the restaurant’s features, along with the warm smiles of the staff.
The beef noodle soup is priced between HKD 85 to HKD 95, depending on the toppings you choose. We opted for the beef noodle soup with ribs (HKD 85) and the one with tendon and meat (HKD 89), and both dishes were fantastic! The beef chunks were large and braised to perfection, tender and full of flavor. The broth was rich and savory, not too oily, and reminded us of a memorable beef noodle soup we had in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
The noodles were thick and al dente, just the way we like them — chewy and satisfying. We also tried their egg roll with cheese (HKD 39), which was a delicious side. The eggs were thinly spread, folded, and cut. Inside, the eggs were soft and moist, with cheese that oozed out and even stretched with each bite, making it a perfect complement to the hearty soup.
WHAT TO EAT
Note: As of this writing, What to Eat is PERMANENTLY CLOSED. But we’re keeping it in this list in case they re-open in the future.
Dim Sum Square Kitchen
Packed with excellent food spots, Central is a go-to district for food tours, and we were lucky enough to join one. And Dim Sum Square Kitchen — another gem in the area — is one of our stops.
We had a wonderful experience here since we’re big fans of dim sum. It offers delicious dishes like har gao (shrimp dumplings) for HKD 37, siu mai (pork and shrimp dumplings) for HKD 34, spring rolls with pork and shrimp for HKD 26, and crispy BBQ pork buns (fried siopao asado) for HKD 26. Each dish typically has three to four pieces, depending on the item.
While you can definitely visit Dim Sum Square Kitchen on your own, joining a food tour is a great idea if you’re looking to experience a full afternoon of eating. There are plenty of options in Hong Kong, and we went with Hong Kong Foodie Tours, which turned out to be an amazing experience. The tour includes six food stops, but in between, you also get a chance to explore local markets, temples, and more, giving you a nice break between each bite.
One of the best things about joining a food tour is the controlled portions, so you won’t get too full too quickly. Plus, there’s no pressure to order a lot, especially when the servings are quite generous!
DIM SUM SQUARE KITCHEN
Address: 78 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Tim Ho Wan
You’re probably already familiar with Tim Ho Wan, especially since it’s also available in the Philippines. However, it originally started in Hong Kong back in 2009, so it’s definitely worth adding to this list. While the first store was in Mong Kok, the branch in Sham Shui Po holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition.
During our visit, we dined at their branch in Central, which is conveniently near Hong Kong Station. We were on our way to the airport when hunger struck, so we decided to stop by. We tried their famous baked bun with BBQ pork (HKD 33), which reminded us of siopao asado. We also ordered siu mai and ha kao (HKD 40-42). While it was a bit more expensive than other dim sum we tried, the quality and taste definitely made it worth the price.
We also explored a few more dishes from the menu, including a rice bowl topped with minced beef and fried egg (HKD 42) and rice noodle rolls with pig’s liver (HKD 32). The rice noodle rolls were soft and not rubbery, with the pig’s liver having no unpleasant aftertaste. It paired wonderfully with the soy-based sauce. The texture was a bit unusual since the liver and noodle rolls were both soft, but it still made for a tasty dish.
TIM HO WAN
Branches: Sham Shui Po, Olympian City, Central, K11 Art Mall, Tseung Kwan O, West Kowloon, and Sha Tin
Opening Hours: For the operating hours of each branch, you can check out the official website here.
Mak Man Kee
Mak Man Kee is a well-known noodle restaurant consistently featured in the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand list. Located in the Jordan area on Kowloon side, this unassuming spot has been serving locals for over 60 years, and it has become an institution in the area. Despite its humble exterior, it has earned a strong following for its delicious and affordable offerings.
Though the restaurant is popular for its wonton noodle soup, which has garnered praise from Michelin, we were craving something different. After so much noodle soup on our trip, we decided to try its dry noodles with pork and hoisin sauce (HKD 50). The noodles were thin and firm — a good texture, but the dish itself was unlike anything we’d had before. It reminded us of a combination of menudo and pansit, an interesting fusion of flavors and textures.
If you decide to visit Mak Man Kee, we highly recommend trying their signature noodle soup. It’s the dish that made the restaurant famous and truly embodies what they do best.
MAK MAN KEE
Address: G/F, 51 Parkes Street, Jordan, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Opening Hours: Daily, 12:00 PM – 12:30 AM
Samsen
Samsen is a Thai restaurant in Hong Kong that we found by chance in Central during a typhoon, and it turned out to be a welcome break from the usual Chinese cuisine we had been enjoying. While it’s on the pricier side, the food was incredibly good, and it has earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand award. Even if it didn’t have that recognition, the flavors would still make it worth recommending.
We started with som tam (HKD 112), a pounded papaya salad with toasted peanuts, dried shrimp, and tamarind sauce. It was delicious, but incredibly spicy! For the main courses, we had khao soi (HKD 158) and pad thai (HKD 158). The khao soi was a standout, with bouncy egg noodles swimming in a rich, curry-based broth, big tender pieces of curried chicken, and crispy fried noodles on top. It was also garnished with coriander, spring onions, and a slice of lime for a citrusy punch. The pad Thai was equally impressive, with perfectly cooked rice noodles and tiger prawns coated in a sweet tamarind sauce, topped with peanuts, bean sprouts, and served with fresh green mango on the side.
While the meal was amazing, it’s definitely on the expensive side, so we might not go back, to be honest. However, it’s absolutely worth trying, especially if you’re craving authentic Thai flavors while in Hong Kong.
SAMSEN
Branches: Central, Sheung Wan, and Wan Chai
Opening Hours: For the operating hours per branch, you can check out the official website here.
Lin Heung Kui
Known for its delicious Cantonese dishes and traditional teahouse atmosphere, Lin Heung Kui is another well-loved restaurant in Hong Kong. We actually stumbled upon this place by accident during one of our recent trips. It was close to our hotel in Sheung Wan, and we discovered it while browsing the Michelin app. Aside from being a popular local spot, it also holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand citation.
The restaurant is located on the third floor of the building, and stepping inside feels like entering a classic Cantonese teahouse, complete with push carts. Most of the customers were elderly locals, and while the staff didn’t speak much English, they were incredibly warm and patient. Even the front desk staff was very friendly, making the entire experience enjoyable.
Out of all the restaurants we tried in Hong Kong, this was my favorite, even though we didn’t get to taste their most famous offering, which is dim sum. We arrived for dinner and were told that their dim sum sells out by lunchtime, which just goes to show how in-demand it is.
Since dinner service mainly features dishes meant for sharing, we ordered a barbecue platter that included soy chicken and roasted goose. It cost HKD 168 (around P1250) and is enough for a group. The meats were absolutely delicious! The chicken was juicy and tender, while the goose, which is often dry and bony in my experience, was surprisingly moist and fatty. It was a little greasy, but in the best, most indulgent way. We also tried its seafood and assorted vegetable claypot, another dish made for sharing. The squid, fish, and shrimp were incredibly fresh, but the Chinese cabbage in the broth slightly overpowered the seafood flavors.
If you visit earlier in the day, they offer rice toppings from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM for as low as HKD 55. From 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM, they also serve noodle toppings starting at just HKD 39, making it a great option for an affordable yet satisfying meal.
LIN HEUNG KUI
Note: We last visited in October 2023, but as of June 2025, the business is marked “PERMANENTLY CLOSED”. If you have a more updated info, please let us know in the comment section. Thank you!
Where to Stay in Hong Kong
Hong Kong may be small, but it boasts plenty of accommodation options for tourists. It is divided into three main regions — Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, and the New Territories. Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui are located in Kowloon, the city center’s traditional side, while the Central Business District is found on the more modern Hong Kong Island. The New Territories region is home to Hong Kong Disneyland and Hong Kong International Airport.
The best area to stay depends on your itinerary, but you can check out our WHERE TO STAY IN HONG KONG article for a more in-depth explanation. For quick reference and recommendations, here are some of the top accommodations in Hong Kong based on online user reviews.
- iClub Sheung Wan Hotel, Hong Kong Island. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Ibis Hong Kong Central & Sheung Wan Hotel, Hong Kong Island. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Mini Central, Hong Kong Island. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- B P International, Kowloon. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Stanford Hillview Hotel, Kowloon. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Metropark Hotel Mongkok, Kowloon. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Dorsett Mongkok Hong Kong, Kowloon. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Novotel Citygate Hong Kong Hotel, New Territories. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Four Points By Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung, New Territories. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Regal Airport Hotel, New Territories. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
Search for more Hong Kong Hotels!
Have Peace of Mind While Traveling!
Getting a travel insurance is optional, but we highly recommend this, especially when traveling abroad. Travel can be unpredictable, and though we hope we’ll never use it, having it gives us peace of mind in case of unexpected delays, cancellations, or emergencies.
For international destinations, consider PGA Sompo’s TravelJOY Plus insurance. You can GET IT HERE. Don’t forget to use WORTHIT for a special affordable rate.
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