Mak's Noodle on Wellington Street sells small bowls of shrimp wontons in clear broth from around HK$45, a Hong Kong wonton institution founded in 1989.
Tip: Order the small bowl by default; the noodle to wonton balance is calibrated for it.
Address: 77 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong
Sing Heung Yuen on Mee Lun Street serves tomato beef macaroni and crispy condensed milk toast from a 1957 dai pai dong stall in Central, all in for under HK$75 a sitting.
Try: Tomato beef macaroni and condensed milk toast
Tip: Cash only; closed Sundays. Sit at the metal stools on the alley.
Tim Ho Wan at IFC Mall in Central is the world's most affordable Michelin recognised dim sum, with a baked pork bun and steamed har gow lunch under HK$120 a head.
Try: Baked BBQ pork buns and shrimp dumplings
Tip: Walk in solo at 11:00 sharp; the lunchtime queue doubles by midday.
Tsim Chai Kee on Wellington Street in Central is the Bib Gourmand noodle shop across from Mak's, with a king prawn wonton bowl that lands under HK$70 for one of Hong Kong's best noodles.
Try: King prawn wonton noodles
Tip: Order the three topping bowl: prawn wontons, beef and fish balls.
Sing Heung Yuen on Mee Lun Street serves tomato beef macaroni and crispy condensed milk toast from a 1957 dai pai dong stall in Central, all in for under HK$75 a sitting.
Try: Tomato beef macaroni and condensed milk toast
Tip: Cash only; closed Sundays. Sit at the metal stools on the alley.
Kam Wah on Bute Street in Mong Kok sells warm pineapple buns from around HK$12 with milk tea for under HK$40 total, a 1973 Hong Kong cha chaan teng on a working class budget.
Try: Pineapple bun with butter and milk tea
Tip: Pay with Octopus or WeChat Pay; no HK$1,000 notes accepted.
Mammy Pancake on Carnarvon Road in TST sells Michelin recommended egg waffles from around HK$28 each, the cheapest Michelin guide listing in Hong Kong.
Try: Original egg waffle
Tip: Original is the budget pick at HK$28; pricier sweet potato, matcha and chestnut versions run HK$40 plus.
Sister Wah in Tin Hau holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand and sells a full bowl of clear broth brisket noodles from HK$65, cheaper than the better known Kau Kee on Gough Street.
Try: Beef brisket noodle in clear broth
Tip: Half brisket, half tendon at HK$85 is the smart split; the chilli oil on the counter is the local hot sauce.
Tim Ho Wan at IFC Mall in Central is the world's most affordable Michelin recognised dim sum, with a baked pork bun and steamed har gow lunch under HK$120 a head.
Try: Baked BBQ pork buns and shrimp dumplings
Tip: Walk in solo at 11:00 sharp; the lunchtime queue doubles by midday.
Tsim Chai Kee on Wellington Street in Central is the Bib Gourmand noodle shop across from Mak's, with a king prawn wonton bowl that lands under HK$70 for one of Hong Kong's best noodles.
Try: King prawn wonton noodles
Tip: Order the three topping bowl: prawn wontons, beef and fish balls.
