Why This Image: It represents the “hidden gem” discovery aspect of the trip. The bright, appealing food and wine on an outdoor terrace evoke a perfect travel moment that is highly aspirational and visually engaging for potential readers. It was also the author’s highest-rated experience, making it the true “hero” of the story.
Even in the suffocating humidity and heat of August in Hong Kong, there was one thing that kept my wife and me on our feet: the food. This trip was a dedicated food tour from the start, but we decided to skip the flashy fine dining and hunt for the local restaurants where real life happens.
Our journey took us from a Michelin-starred dim sum joint in Mong Kok with unbelievable prices (One Dim Sum), to an unexpected favorite we stumbled upon in Kennedy Town (Catch). We braved the tongue-numbing heat of authentic Sichuan cuisine at Tao Yuen Chuan Yue Cuisine, experienced the rugged charm of a Yau Ma Tei classic (Supreme Beef Brisket Soup), and had a nearly perfect pizza and beer night at Alvy’s. This is the honest, unfiltered story of our culinary adventure through the diverse flavors of Hong Kong.
1. One Dim Sum, Mong Kok: The Real Deal on Budget Michelin Dim Sum
Even after a full lunch of rice and noodles, followed by street snacks on the way, my wife’s determination was unwavering: dim sum was a non-negotiable part of the day’s itinerary. I threw in the towel. “Alright,” I said, “let’s just grab a quick bite at a place that’s good value for money.” That’s how we ended up at One Dim Sum in Mong Kok.
Outside the restaurant, a menu with clear pictures makes ordering easy for those who don’t speak Cantonese, but we headed straight inside. As expected, the place was packed. We were quickly seated at a small four-person table, sharing with a local Hong Kong couple. It’s a scene you’d rarely encounter in Korea, but quietly enjoying your meal while only focusing on your own plates is one of the unique cultural experiences of Hong Kong.
The prices are amazing, but sharing a table is standard practice! Be ready for it. We shared with a local couple—it was a fascinating experience.
A pot of hot tea arrived, and we carefully chose a few items from the picture menu. Since we were already full, the plan was truly just to “have a taste.” That plan changed the moment we took our first bite. The flavors were so addictively good, we just couldn’t stop reaching for more. I caught my wife’s wistful glance and heard her murmur, “Ah, I wish we’d ordered the Cheung Fun (rice noodle rolls)…” I strategically ignored her, carefully dividing our last dumpling into two exact halves. The regret deepened as we watched the couple across from us order and devour two plates of Cheung Fun.
Honestly, the ambiance isn’t anything special, and it doesn’t feel like they’re using premium ingredients. But the chance to eat fresh, steaming dim sum at this price point makes it absolutely worth a visit. The high turnover means the ingredients are always fresh. However, I still vividly remember the heart-stopping moment when the gentleman sharing our table expertly spat out chicken bones with such gusto that I was terrified they’d land in our dipping sauce.
Insider Tip: On your way to One Dim Sum, you’ll pass the famous Goldfish Market. It’s a unique sight, with walls lined with plastic bags containing colorful fish. It’s worth a quick stroll before or after your meal.
2. Catch, Kennedy Town: The Best Discovery of Our Hong Kong Trip
Most buildings in Hong Kong are old, tall, and lack distinct character. But fascinatingly, the ground-floor shops burst with individual style, bringing the streets to life—much like my friend who pairs a plain t-shirt with limited-edition Nike sneakers. Kennedy Town is full of these charming spots but hasn’t been overrun by tourists yet, making it a perfect neighborhood for a walk.
Catch had such an inviting exterior that I’m convinced we would have been drawn in even if we hadn’t planned on going. Our hunch was right. Tucked away in a quieter part of the neighborhood, we happily snagged a table on the terrace.
I highly recommend visiting during Happy Hour! It was the perfect time to enjoy high-quality food and wine at a great price.
Of course, they had a Happy Hour menu. We ordered a glass of white and red wine, along with ‘Poached & chilled prawns’ and ‘Chicken liver pâté’. The prawn dish that came out first was absolutely phenomenal. I have no idea what they were poached in, but the texture was perfectly plump and bursting with flavor. The surprising part was the sauce—a simple combination of balsamic and mayonnaise that somehow amplified everything.
The second dish, the chicken liver pâté, was ordered out of sheer curiosity. It turned into one of those rare moments where curiosity leads to incredible satisfaction. The moment we took a bite of the soft brioche topped with the smooth pâté and a sweet grape, my wife and I both looked at each other and said, “Wow, this place is seriously good.” Great atmosphere, delicious and affordable food, and friendly staff. Catch was, without a doubt, the best discovery of our Hong Kong trip.
3. Tao Yuen Chuan Yue Cuisine (桃源川粵美食): Facing the Heat of Sichuan
“Are we, two spice-wimps, really going to attempt Sichuan food?”
I had my doubts even as I added this restaurant to our itinerary. We were lured by a recommendation from a blogger living in Hong Kong who called it a “great value Sichuan spot.” The journey from Hong Kong University’s Exit C1 was, however, a confusing maze. We followed Google Maps only to find ourselves back where we started, a surreal experience that gave me flashbacks to the movie Infernal Affairs, which I’d just watched before the trip. We finally found it after getting help from a security guard at a nearby luxury apartment building.
If you love spicy and numbing flavors, this place is heaven! But if you’re sensitive to spices, start with the mildest dish on the menu.”
The moment we stepped inside, the subtle scent of ma la (the signature numbing spice of Sichuan cuisine) hit us, and the red-themed interior screamed, “Welcome to Sichuan!” Most customers were having hot pot, but we decided to just try a couple of dishes. Fumbling with the Cantonese menu, the owner kindly brought us an English version.
We ordered a stir-fried chicken dish and the pork vermicelli. The owner suggested a cucumber pickle would go well with them. I replied, “It’s okay,” meaning “No, thank you,” but he beamed and headed to the kitchen. Ah, he thought I said yes. I felt it instantly but didn’t bother to correct him. In the end, this cucumber pickle was a godsend. Seasoned with cilantro and chili oil, it was slightly tingly but the coolness of the cucumber was incredibly refreshing.
The stir-fried chicken was manageable, with the flavors of Sichuan peppercorn and star anise not being too overpowering for my sensitive palate. But the pork vermicelli that followed was on another level entirely. It was like we’d been teleported to the heart of Sichuan province. A numbing, tingling sensation from the Sichuan peppercorns completely took over our senses. It had a cool, almost minty feeling, but as we kept eating, our tongues started to go numb. We suffered the humiliation of not being able to finish it.
4. Supreme Beef Brisket Soup, Yau Ma Tei: A Raw, Local Meal
After battling the crowds and heat of Tsim Sha Tsui, we arrived at Supreme Beef Brisket Soup. It’s known for a fried rib dish, but we were craving a simple, everyday meal enjoyed by the locals in Hong Kong. This spot is a chain restaurant offering a wide variety of dishes, from wonton noodles to rice bowls.
We visited in the afternoon, well past the lunch rush, and the place was uncharacteristically empty for Hong Kong. My stomach, which seems to work overtime on vacation, was ready for another round despite having already eaten twice. We naturally ordered a bowl of beef brisket noodles and a ‘Yuenyeung’.
Recommended for when you want to feel the raw, unfiltered side of Hong Kong. Definitely order the Yuenyeung with your meal—it’s a fascinating combination.
The noodles arrived topped with a generous portion of tender beef. The broth was served separately, and I thought, ‘Is everything here modular?’ As I poured the broth in, a dark sauce at the bottom of the bowl dissolved, instantly changing the color. “Shoot,” I thought, “I should have tried it as a ‘lo mein’ (tossed noodle) first.”
Too late now. I stirred it all together and took a bite. A salty soy sauce flavor hit first, followed by a strong, gamey beef aroma that filled my mouth. To be honest, it was a bit too rugged and intense for my taste. That’s when the ‘Yuenyeung’ I ordered saved the day. This unique Hong Kong drink is a mix of milk tea and coffee. The sweetness of the milk tea and the bitterness of the coffee created a strange but wonderful harmony, powerful enough to knock out the gaminess of the soup.
While we ate, a group of employees gathered at a table in the middle of the restaurant, smoking cigarettes and starting a lively game of mahjong. It was, in every sense, a raw and unfiltered experience. But being in a foreign country, even this became a fond memory.
5. Alvy’s, Kennedy Town: Almost Perfect Pizza & Craft Beer
We took the double-decker bus from Central to Kennedy Town. My Octopus Card (Hong Kong’s transit card) was low on balance, so I had to pay with cash. Lacking exact change, I had to overpay since Hong Kong buses don’t give change back. Oh, the small blunders of travel!
After that little adventure, we arrived at our first meal of the day: Alvy’s. The front was under construction and blocked by a large truck, so we almost walked right past it. We came here specifically because it serves a wide variety of craft beers from the renowned local brewery, ‘Young Master’.
The beer selection was absolutely fantastic. But the pizza dough was a letdown, so maybe try a different food item on the menu.
It was early, so the place was quiet. We ordered two beers: ‘Another One’ and ‘Rye on Wood’. My wife’s ‘Another One’ was light and refreshing with a subtle citrus note. My ‘Rye on Wood’ was exactly what I look for in a beer—bold, direct, with a heavy, satisfying aroma. “This is it!” I thought, my eyes widening.
For our pizza, we went with the ‘Alvy’s Classic’ at the top of the menu. Tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil pesto—a can’t-fail combination for a wood-fired pizza. The toppings were truly excellent. However, the crust was a major disappointment. When it first came out, it was soft enough to be enjoyable. But as the pizza cooled, my wife started leaving the edges behind. To me, the dough just felt flimsy and uninspired, and it completely killed any desire to try another pizza. For anyone planning a visit, maybe… bring your own dipping sauce?
🌟 Overall Recommendation Rating
- [Catch, Kennedy Town]: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – The absolute best find of our trip. The atmosphere, flavor, and price were all perfect.
- [One Dim Sum, Mong Kok]: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) – Excellent value and taste. But you have to be prepared for the insane queues and shared tables.
- [Alvy’s, Kennedy Town]: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5) – The craft beer was top-notch, but the pizza, the main event, was sadly let down by its crust.
- [Supreme Beef Brisket Soup, Yau Ma Tei]: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5) – A great spot to experience the raw, local side of Hong Kong, but the flavor profile might not be for everyone.
- [Tao Yuen Chuan Yue Cuisine, HKU]: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5) – You can taste the essence of authentic Sichuan food here, but it was just too big of a leap for our spice-timid palates.
Overall Tour Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Would I Return: 🔄 To some of these spots, definitely!
This Hong Kong food tour reaffirmed the city’s reputation as a food paradise. While some places were perfect and others had their flaws, the overall experience of tasting such a wide range of Hong Kong’s flavors was incredibly satisfying. ‘Catch’ in Kennedy Town is a place I would return to in a heartbeat (200% will return!), and ‘One Dim Sum’ is definitely worth another visit for its amazing value.