Your Neighbourhood Guide To Shek Tong Tsui & HKU

Formally a flourishing, licensed red light district back in the early 1900’s, Shek Tong Tsui is now a rapidly growing hotspot for unique cafes and trendy eateries. Its proximity to HKU makes it a popular spot for students, so you just know there will be affordable options and Instagrammable dishes in spades…

You wouldn’t think that at one stage Shek Tong Tsui was home to over 500 brothels given its current wholesome vibe. In the last few years, the area rapidly became an extension of Sai Ying Pun, offering up local gems, hole-in-the-wall restaurants and modern bistros. Commonly frequented by university students, Shek Tong Tsui is still growing with new unique spots opening up all the time. Not sure where to start? Our neighbourhood guide is on hand to help…

Read More: Your Neighbourhood Guide to Kennedy Town

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Where To Eat
Where To Drink
What To Do

Where To Eat In Shek Tong Tsui: Best Restaurants For Dine-In & Takeaway

Po Kee BBQ Restaurant — Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant serving duck and goose in Shek Tong Tsui

Cheap, cheerful and full of flavour, Po Kee BBQ Restaurant is on the Michelin Recommended list and well worth the trip. For over 40 years Hongkongers have slurped their way through bowls of Rice Noodles with Roasted Duck Leg and in-house prepared roasted meats. Be sure to get there before 2pm which is when the pork tends to sell out (the goose, a favourite of our Managing Director’s, is often gone by 4pm!).

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 7pm

Po Kee BBQ Restaurant, 425 Queen’s Road West, Wing Wah Mansion, Shek Tong Tsui, Hong Kong, guide.michelin.com

Read More: Michelin Guide 2025 — Hong Kong Restaurants Awarded Michelin Stars

Malacca Cuisine — Malaysian restaurant with Singaporean and Chinese influences

If you’re craving a hot, hearty curry, sambal chicken, Nyonya golden toast or the Malaysian take on Hainanese chicken rice, look no further than Malacca Cuisine! The laksa here is particularly good, especially when paired with duck (seriously, whoever thought of this combo is a genius!). The affordable price tag doesn’t hurt either…

Opening hours: Daily, 11:30am to 9:30pm

Malacca Cuisine, Shop B, G/F, 513 Queen’s Road West, Shek Tong Tsui, Hong Kong, 2786 2488, www.openrice.com

Read More: The Best Peking Duck In Hong Kong

Aya — Filling ramen & tsukemen that’s worth the wait

One thing about Hongkongers: we love a queue, especially if it’s for good food! That’s what Aya is known for, and it always delivers. While Sassy’s Managing Director, Haley, comes here when she’s in the mood for tsukemen (chilled noodles in the thick of summer, yes please!), you definitely shouldn’t sleep on the ramen either with its fresh noodles, rich broth and perfectly cooked egg! Expect your dish to set you back around $100 — a steal in our book!

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 11:30am to 3pm & 6pm to 9pm

Aya, G/F, Kam Ling Court, 16 Whitty Street, Sai Wan, Hong Kong, 2440 0900, www.openrice.com

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Jiang’s Hunan Chef — Hunan cuisine for those who love spice

The head chef here hails from Hunan, preparing a whole array of Xiang cuisine for hungry city dwellers to get stuck in to. The menu is vast, offering up a ton of spicy and savoury options like the mapo tofu, braised beef brisket and black fungus and pork, with prices usually ranging $50 to $75. Walk off your food baby with a stroll around HK Wall’s exhibit next door and get a few shots for the ‘gram.

Opening hours: Daily, 11:30am to 10pm

Jiang’s Hunan Chef, G/F, Fu Ga Building, 13 Yat Fu Lane, Shek Tong Tsui, Hong Kong, 3956 8873, www.facebook.com/jiangshunanchef

Read More: The Best Chinese Restaurants In Hong Kong — Cantonese, Sichuan, Vegetarian & More

Katsuisen — Affordable Japanese eatery that’s perfect for lunch

Looking for sushi and fresh sashimi that won’t break the bank? We love popping into Katsuisen’s Shek Tong Tsui branch (technically referred to as the ‘Kennedy Town’ branch — yes, we’re confused too) for the set lunch when we’re in the mood for a filling, affordable no-frills meal (usually $70 to $100). Be warned though, if you do go at peak hours, you’re likely to be in for a wait!

Opening hours: Daily, 12pm to 3pm & 6pm to 10pm

Katsuisen, 503 Queen’s Road West, Shek Tong Tsui, Hong Kong, 2168 4428, Instagram: @katsuisenhk

Read More: The Best Set Lunch Deals In Central

South Lane – Eco-friendly restaurant serving nutritious, wholesome meals

This lively Shek Tok Tsui spot is the dream for those of us who want to eat healthy without sacrificing on flavour! The dishes at South Lane are free of extra additives, MSG, chemicals and refined ingredients, and it has a dedicated dairy-free, 100% vegan drinks menu brimming with delicious juices and smoothies (it offers almond, oat and soy milk – lactose-intolerant girlies rejoice!). With several vegetarian options available and an environmentally friendly atmosphere that’s mostly plastic-free, you’ll leave here feeling good physically and mentally. Plus, South Lane does catering too and has a cute outdoor patio that welcomes pets!

Opening hours: Daily, 8am to 5:30pm

South Lane, G/F, 14 South Lane, Shek Tong Tsui, Hong Kong, 5744 8390, www.southlane.co

Read More: The Best Healthy Meal Delivery Services In Hong Kong

Ninoen — Japanese takeaway in Shek Tong Tsui

When you’re in a rush and just need to grab something and go, no one does it better than Ninoen. Located on Whitty Street, this unassuming Japanese spot has prepackaged sushi, sashimi, bento boxes and more — and all with price tags we can get behind! With surprisingly good quality that even the more discerning members of our team can appreciate, Ninoen hits the spot as long as you’re not expecting anything gourmet.

Opening hours: Daily, 11am to 9:30pm

Ninoen, Shop 11, G/F, Whitty Building, 22 Whitty Street, Shek Tong Tsui, Hong Kong, www.openrice.com

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Where To Drink In Shek Tong Tsui: Best Coffee Shops & Drink Menus

Twenty One From Eight Cafe – Latte art lovers adore this Shek Tong Tsui coffee shop

This might seem like just your average, neighbourhood-favourite cafe, but Twenty One From Eight is also home to a Sassy favourite: tiramisu mochi! Our MD, Haley, can’t get enough of it – and it doesn’t hurt that her dog is welcome at this joint either. Remember to snap the incredible latte art before sipping – it’s that good. If you have a sweet tooth, don’t let its French Toast options pass you by (who’s brave enough to try the Italian Bliss with ricotta, parma ham and honey?), and if you’ve arrived hungry, we hear the apple and feta pasta is solid.

Sassy Tip: Twenty One From Eight Cafe also offers multiple sets – like Tapas Delight and Duet Set – that are worth checking out.

Opening hours: Daily, 9am to 6pm

Twenty One From Eight Cafe, G/F, 93 Hill Road, Shek Tong Tsui, Hong Kong (near HKU Station exit A1), 9667 0154, Instagram: @cafe_twenty_one_from_eight

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Sir Berwick by No Milkshake No Life – Possibly the best milkshakes in Hong Kong

Tucked away on Hill Road, we were initially drawn to this quirky resto for its selection of boozy milkshakes, but upon further inspection, No Milkshake No Life’s seriously Instagrammable menu is worth stopping by for, too. Its burgers, pancakes and own take on poutine (hello, cheese steak fries) are sure to hit the spot, but truth be told, it’s still the milkshakes that keep us coming back for more. We’ll happily shell out $89 for the special Brownie Crust shake!

Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 11pm; Sunday, 1pm to 8pm

No Milkshake No Life, Shop E, G/F, Lai On Building, Lai On Lane, 2 Water Street, Hong Kong, 6605 6428, Instagram: @nomilkshakenolife

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Ethos – Coffee shop in Shek Tong Tsui that doubles as a lifestyle hotspot

This cafe-cum-lifestyle store serves up coffee and brunch, with a side of stationery and homeware — we know, it’s bizarre, but somehow it works. A great spot to browse gifts and get a much-needed hit of caffeine to power you up for the day, Ethos has all of your bases covered, really.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 12pm to 10pm; Saturday, 11am to 10pm; Sunday, 11am to 7pm

Ethos, 93-99 Hill Road, Shek Tong Tsui, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/ethosstores

Read More: Hong Kong’s Most Unique Cafes

Fineprint – Affordable coffee and pastries in Shek Tong Tsui

It’s no secret that Team Sassy loves Fineprint, so of course we had to include this affordable ($35 to 45 for a mocha with oat milk can’t be taken for granted!), neighbourhood-favourite in our guide. We love its ricotta toast and half-and-half plate, and that it opens early so you can really take your time before heading off to work.

Opening hours: Daily, 6am to 6pm

Fineprint, 8-12 South Lane, Shek Tong Tsui, Hong Kong, 5722 2016, fineprint.hk

Read More: Our Favourite Cafes & Coffee Shops In Wan Chai

What To Do In Shek Tong Tsui: Activities & Photo-ops

Shek Tong Tsui Sports Centre

A government-owned building popular amongst locals, Shek Tong Tsui Sports Centre offers multiple ways to spend the day if you’re looking to stay active and have fun. In addition to a dance room and huge arena, it has a table tennis room, three squash courts and a children’s play room, all of which are hireable by groups or individuals.

Shek Tong Tsui Sports Centre, Shek Tong Tsui Municipal Services Building, 470 Queen’s Road West, Shek Tong Tsui, Hong Kong, 2858 0541, www.lcsd.gov.hk

HK Walls

If you’re a fan of street art, HK Walls is one to keep on top of as they move around the city, particularly in the Central and Western district, painting the town an array of colours as they go. It’s most popular exhibition in Shek Tong Tsui was the Mark6 pop-up in Yat Fu Lane, conceived by six talented Hong Kong artists.

HK Walls, Yat Fu Lane, 554-560 Queen’s Road West, Shek Tong Tsui, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong, www.hkwalls.org

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