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If you’ve ever queued for a “must-try” bite in Hong Kong only to think… wait, that’s it? We definitely know the feeling. Team Sassy’s hit the streets, braved the queues and taste-tested the viral hotspots, and now we dish what’s truly worth the hype, what you can skip and what to take with a (literal) pinch of salt!
Social media and constant hype from peers or colleagues can lead you to (sometimes falsely) believe you’ve really found the ultimate food spot in Hong Kong. Plus, in a city where queuing is a national pastime, long lines can often create undeserved hype. So Team Sassy’s done the legwork for you, putting Hong Kong’s most popular food tourist spots to the test. From viral snacks to iconic eateries, we spill the tea on what’s worth your time if you’re exploring or visiting (and what’s not).
Read More: Team Sassy’s Tourist Trap Alternatives
Vission Bakery — Beloved bakery serving up flavourful cakes, danishes, cookies and pastries
While you might have spotted the long lines and tourists snapping pics outside the little bakery, don’t write it off as overhyped before you test this one for yourself! With a solid range of cakes and danishes ranging from the Pistachio Danish to the Vanilla Flan (both recommended by Managing Editor Stef) to a classic chewy Chocolate Chip cookie (Editor Jess’s recommendation), Sassy’s marketing coordinator, Megan, recommends the gluten-free chocolate fudge slice. “It was delicious and didn’t taste like most gluten-free cakes, which are dry and often have a boring texture,” she raves. “The cake was so rich and moist, but definitely dense, so I would recommend halving it with someone.”
Sassy Tip: Don’t forget to check out the bakery kitchen, hidden just to the right of the shop, where you can get a load of the full range of slices and cakes up close!
Vission Bakery, LG/F, 7 Staunton Street, Central, Hong Kong, www.vissionbakery.com
Read More: Cake Shops For Your Next Bash! Birthday Cakes, Custom Designs & Delivery In Hong Kong
Tung Po Kitchen — Established local Dai Pai Dong spot in Wan Chai
Nothing screams ‘I’m a local’ like hitting up a Dai Pai Dong, and among the city’s most popular include Tung Po Kitchen. Originally operating from North Point’s wet market, the vibe was pure chaos and magic. Managing Editor, Stef, reminisces: “There’s nothing better than devouring salted duck egg yolk shrimp, razor clams steamed with garlic vermicelli and squid ink spaghetti against the backdrop of a boozy karaoke rager.” After the restaurant’s closure in 2022, the Wan Chai reboot proves to be “fun enough” with the same flavourful dishes and noise level, but “misses the grit that made the place,” so we recommend still checking out the spot, but go in knowing the original operated on higher levels of chaos and rowdiness.
Sassy Tip: Prawns are now upsold at eye-watering prices that made our wallets weep, so remember to check first!
Tung Po Kitchen, 2/F, KONNECT, 303 Jaffe Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2880 5224
Read More:A Gweilo’s Guide To Dai Pai Dongs — Must-Try Spots & More
Cheung Hing Coffee Shop — Happy Valley’s old-school cha chaan teng with fresh buns and affordable bites
For Editor Jess, no pineapple bun in the city can compare to this decades-long eatery. She raves, “The egg tarts and noodles are good too, but I think every tourist should visit Hong Kong and get a pineapple bun from here. They’re crunchy on top and so soft and fluffy on the inside, there’s a reason my family have been coming here for years!” Plus, the spot riffs on the classic pineapple bun with fillings like egg, spam, ham or beef, which are little upgrades that feel inventive without messing too much with the soul of the original pastry.
Sassy Tip: We recommend hitting up this spot in the morning or around 3pm, when a fresh batch of pineapple buns emerges from the oven!
Cheung Hing Coffee Shop, 9 Yik Yam St, Happy Valley, Hong Kong, 2572 5097
Read More:10 New & Underrated Hong Kong Eats To Take Your Out-of-Towner
Hoi Kee Siumei Shop (海記燒臘飯店) — Roast meat spot located in Causeway Bay wet market food court
A few members of our team visited Hoi Kee Siumei Shop in our quest to test the indoor food markets revered amongst Hong Kong foodies. Although you do have to pass through the market’s aromas initially (a slightly intimidating experience!), our team thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Client Engagement Manager, Ira, notes, “The food offers great value, especially if you’re looking for authentic local dishes. I ordered the roast duck and char siu combo with rice, which I would definitely recommend!”
Hoi Kee Siumei Shop, Shop CF3, 1/F, Bowrington Road Cooked Food Centre, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, Instagram: @hoi_kee_siumei_shop
Australia Dairy Company — Local favourite breakfast spot with a simple yet strong menu
While a controversial restaurant in the past thanks to its reputation for rude service, in recent years, this spot has definitely toned down the sass and speed-eating pressure. As for food quality, several have noted it’s “just eggs and toast”, but to those, we say — try the restaurant again when it’s less busy. We find the eggs consistently fluffy and flavourful, and the macaroni soup, simple as it is, delivers a warm, comforting broth that’s never too salty. We’ve yet to try another cha chaan teng that does eggs quite as well as this Jordan classic.
Sassy Tip: If you hit up this spot for lunch or dinner, ham macaroni is substituted with char sui instead, and we actually prefer this combo!
Australia Dairy Company, 47 Parkes St, Jordan, Hong Kong, 2730 1356
Read More: Our Favourite Breakfast Spots All Across Hong Kong
Din Tai Fung — Internationally recognised spot for Xiao Long Bao
Lovers of xiao long bao will recognise the name, but compared to the branches in London, Taiwan and San Francisco, Hong Kong’s Din Tai Fung left Editor Jess disappointed. Whilst the flavour is still there, she was shocked by the noticeably smaller portions compared to its international counterparts. Dishes also came out lukewarm and without that Din Tai Fung zest. She says, “Skip the Hong Kong branches in favour of the international ones!”
Sassy Tip: For more xiao long bao recommendations, check out Sassy’s helpful guide!
Lamma Rainbow Seafood Restaurant — Popular seafood restaurant famous for fresh seafood
Lamma Island regulars are likely to have heard of this seafood classic, which encapsulates the spirit of Hong Kong’s fishing culture. While we recommend the food, be ready for noise and tourists, which can kill the vibe a little. If you’re after something calmer, Megan suggests Wai Kee Seafood Restaurant instead, just 100m away, which offers a quieter dining experience with friendly staff. “They literally do the same food (arguably better), and I recommend the scallops with garlic noodles and deep-fried squid!” Stef also recommends Genuine Lamma Hilton Fishing Village Restaurant, located on its own away from the main strip, for its scallops with garlic vermicelli (served on the shell!), clams in black bean sauce and salt and pepper prawns.
Lamma Rainbow Seafood Restaurant, No. 23-27, First Street, Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island, Hong Kong, www.lammarainbow.net
Wai Kee Seafood Restaurant, G/F, 3-4 First Street, Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/威記海鮮酒家
Genuine Lamma Hilton Fishing Village Restaurant, Lot 584, G/F, Sok Kwu Wan,, Lamma Island, Hong Kong, 2982 8220
Bakehouse — Grégoire Michaud’s handcrafted sourdough and fine pastry bakery
It’s popular for a reason, and this bakery definitely deserves a visit (and a bit of a queue!). Of course, go for the egg tarts made with a perfectly-paired sourdough crust, but stay for its dining menus (the Wan Chai branch now serves dinner!), which offer quality dishes with respectful nods to Hong Kong’s culinary history!
Sassy Tip: Branches of Bakehouse in Tung Chung and The Peak offer location-exclusive pastries! We love the scallion danish atop The Peak!
Bakehouse, various locations around Hong Kong, www.bakehouse.hk
Read More: The Best Bakeries In Hong Kong — Where To Buy Bread, Pastries & More
Tim Ho Wan — MICHELIN-starred dim sum with several branches
The MICHELIN star may be the marker of greatness most restaurants aim for, but with so many stellar dim sum spots in the 852, we might skip this one. While it does offer affordable MICHELIN dim sum and the char siu pineapple buns are impeccable, the extremely long queuing times and rushed service make this one often a miss in our books. We recommend One Dim Sum instead, a local spot with shorter waits and consistently fresh, flavour-packed bites. And if you’re craving a more elevated dim sum moment, The Mira’s Cuisine Cuisine is a go-to among chic local diners who know their stuff.
Tim Ho Wan, various locations around Hong Kong, www.timhowan.com.hk
One Dim Sum, various locations around Hong Kong, onedimsum.hk
Cuisine Cuisine, 3/F, The Mira Hong Kong, Mira Place, 118 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, www.themirahotel.com/cuisine-cuisine
Read More: The Best Hong Kong Dim Sum — Where To Find Yum Cha In Hong Kong
Samsen — Flavourful Thai spot with long queues
A casual and vibrant Thai food spot with branches around Hong Kong Island, you’ll often spot hungry diners queuing from 5pm for its 6pm dinner seating. The food is exciting and mouth-watering, with dishes like Crab Fried Rice and Wagyu beef & flat noodles delivering in flavour and spice levels. However, the lines can often be a deterrent and negative to the popular spot. Give this spot a go if you can snag a table at a decent hour, but we’re also big fans of Thonglor in Kowloon City for a truly authentic Thai experience, with homemade ice cream, short wait time, affordable prices and that Rémy-from-Ratatouille food moment.
Samsen, various locations around Hong Kong, www.samsen-hk.com
Thonglor, G/F, 19 Lung Kong Rd, Kowloon City, Hong Kong, www.instagram.com/thonglorhk
Read More: The Best Thai Restaurants In Hong Kong
Cheung Hing Kee Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns and Ging Sun Ho King of Bun — Seriously good pan-fried buns
We’re serious pan-fried bun connoisseurs at Sassy, so trust us when we say a delicious Shanghai Pan-fried buns can be found in Hong Kong, but only two truly live up to the hype — Cheung Hing Kee Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns and Ging Sun Ho King of Bun. These buns hit every note: crispy bottoms, pillowy tops and bursting with flavour. Unlike other spots where the soup filling can lean greasy, these two are consistently fresh, even when ordering at home. With multiple branches of these hits around the city, satisfying your pan-fried bun craving has never been easier.
Cheung Hing Kee Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns, 48 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong (various locations around Hong Kong)
Ging Sun Ho King of Bun, Luen Sen Mansion, 176-178 Hennessy Rd, Wan Chai, Hong Kong (various locations around Hong Kong)
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Chagee — Global Chinese tea chain specialising in oriental tea made modern
The aroma of Chagee drew us in, in addition to its stunning merchandise, so we were willing to overlook the long queues in hopes of a rewarding tea fix. But (forgive us if being naive), Chagee is not a bubble tea spot, and you won’t find classic pearls here. That being said, the hype is real — the tea is deliciously rich, and the kind you could never successfully recreate at home. So go for a tasty brew, but if bubble tea is what you’re after, we’d recommend Silk. (for Hong Kong classic bubble tea) or HeyTea (for the Mango Cloud foam).
Chagee, various locations across Hong Kong, chagee.com.hk
Silk., various locations across Hong Kong, thesilktea.com
HeyTea, various locations across Hong Kong, www.heytea.com
Read More: The Best Bubble Tea & Milk Tea Shops In Hong Kong
