Top Hidden Gems in Hong Kong

Yat Lok ★ 4.5 · Hong Kong

central · 34-38 Stanley Street, Central, Hong Kong

Tip: Go at 11:15 for the first batch; the queue runs to Pottinger Street by lunch.

Ho To Tai Noodle Shop ★ 4.5 · Hong Kong

yuen-long · 67 Fau Tsoi Street, Yuen Long, Hong Kong

Tip: The bamboo pressed wonton noodle is the dish to come for; the trip is the point.

Sun Hing Restaurant ★ 4.4 · Hong Kong

kennedy-town · 8 Smithfield Road, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong

Sun Hing in Kennedy Town opens at 03:00 and serves dim sum to night shift workers and early risers, off any guidebook trail with its tiled cha chaan teng room.

Tip: Get there before 11:30 to skip the lunch crowd; liu sha bao runs out by mid morning.

Sing Heung Yuen ★ 4.4 · Hong Kong

central · 2 Mee Lun Street, Central, Hong Kong

Sing Heung Yuen on Mee Lun Street is one of the last open air dai pai dong in Central, in a part of the city that has lost most of its post war street kitchens to redevelopment.

Tip: Walk in from Cochrane Street; the dai pai dong is two minutes uphill on a service alley.

Lock Cha Tea House (Tai Kwun) ★ 4.4 · Hong Kong

central · 10 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong

Lock Cha at Tai Kwun on Hollywood Road serves all vegetarian dim sum and 100 Chinese teas inside the restored Central Police Station compound, calm even on busy Soho weekends.

Tip: Book a tea master pairing in the back room; otherwise the front is open seating.

Pang's Kitchen ★ 4.4 · Hong Kong

happy-valley · 25 Yik Yam Street, Happy Valley, Hong Kong

Tip: Pre order the braised pomelo skin with shrimp roe when you book.

Kung Wo Beancurd Factory ★ 4.3 · Hong Kong

sham-shui-po · 118 Pei Ho Street, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong

Tip: Order the tofu pudding sweet with brown sugar syrup; fried bean curd skin is the savoury side.

Tak Fat Beef Balls ★ 4.3 · Hong Kong

sham-shui-po · 115 Kweilin Street, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong

Tip: Order beef balls plus brisket in the same Chiu Chow noodle bowl; the broth ties both meats together.

Mido Cafe ★ 4.2 · Hong Kong

yau-ma-tei · 63 Temple Street, Yau Ma Tei, Hong Kong

Mido Cafe on Temple Street is a 1950 cha chaan teng with original wood booths and a tiled mezzanine, surviving as a daily cha chaan teng among tourist stalls.

Tip: Climb to the upstairs window seat for the Temple Street view; weekday afternoons are calm.

Kung Lee Herbal Tea ★ 4.2 · Hong Kong

central · 60 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong

Tip: Order the 24 mei cooling tea; it is the room's signature Cantonese herbal brew.

For Kee Restaurant ★ 4.1 · Hong Kong

sheung-wan · 200 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

Tip: The pork chop in tomato sauce is the headline; arrive before noon for the seasoned cut.