Hong Kong isn't just a city, it's an urban jungle of skyscrapers, vibrant street markets, and lush green parks. It holds the record for the most high-rise structures in the world, having over 500 skyscrapers — that's more multistoried buildings than in New York City!
With the reputation of being a true food lover's paradise, Hong Kong is home to over 80 Michelin-starred restaurants, making it one of the locations with the highest density of culinary accolades in the world. But it's not all about the stars in Asia's World City. The dynamic street food scene in Hong Kong is so thriving that several dozen spots made it into the Bib Gourmand category. This gastronomical selection highlights venues that serve 'exceptionally good food at moderate prices'. So get your chopsticks ready, and let's explore the best Michelin-rated places offering delicious meals at wallet-friendly prices in Hong Kong.
Tsukemen is a popular Japanese dish featuring thick, chewy ramen noodles served separately from a rich, concentrated broth. The noodles are dipped into the broth before each bite, allowing for a delicious and customizable eating experience. Often accompanied by various toppings such as pork slices, green onions, seaweed, and boiled eggs.
Renowned as one of the best ramen shops in Hong Kong, Shugetsu attracts long queues from early in the day. A practical system allows customers to make their order while waiting in line, ensuring their food is ready by the time they are seated. Besides the crowd-pleasing tsukemen (dipping ramen noodles), Shugetsu’s signature dish, it is recommended to try their abura (ramen without broth with oil-based sauce) and other types of ramen soups. You can choose between thick or thin noodles, all made in-house throughout the day.
One of the secrets behind the popularity of the sumptuous fare served here lies in the sauce — a flavor concoction painstakingly fermented for 18 long months in a century-old wooden basket, that is then used to enrich a slow-cooked soup. Shugetsu impresses guests with their dedication to authentic, homemade noodles, offering a truly personalized ramen experience.
Steamed buns are a delightful Asian delicacy often filled with a variety of savory or sweet fillings. These fluffy, round buns are traditionally prepared by steaming, resulting in a soft, chewy texture. A popular comfort food, they offer a subtly sweet taste commonly enjoyed in breakfast, lunch, or snack.
After receiving numerous awards and being featured in various food magazines, Din Tai Fung has successfully established itself as one of the top places in Hong Kong serving versatile Taiwanese cuisine. With their standout double-boiled chicken soup, deep-fried pork chop, braised beef brisket noodle soup, and egg-fried rice with shrimp, the restaurant attracts swarms of passionate foodies, and every mouthful is undoubtedly worth savoring.
You also can't go wrong with their legendary xiao long bao (steamed buns) with such fillings as pork, chicken, green squash and shrimp, and black truffle. The establishment prioritizes maintaining high quality standards, as evidenced by their commitment to sourcing ingredients from the same suppliers as the restaurant’s Taiwan flagship.
Tom yum is a spicy and sour Thai soup that typically includes ingredients such as shrimp, mushrooms, lemongrass, lime leaves, and chili peppers. A popular dish known for its bold taste and vibrant flavors, this traditional soup offers a perfect balance of tanginess and herbal freshness.
Located on the fifth floor of Lucky Center in Hong Kong's bustling Wan Chai district, Megan's Kitchen is a glamorous fusion of eastern flavors and western chic. This hot pot restaurant serves Cantonese cuisine, offering such culinary masterpieces as Shuhuli crab tomato cream soup and tom yum cappuccino with thick foam and a strong aroma. Also, go for their mouthwatering dumplings with a variety of fillings, including hot sauce seafood, kimchi rice cake, and BBQ beef and onion options.
The restaurant ensures customers leave satisfied, providing complimentary rice, soup, and dessert with every main course, and an expansive assortment of beef, including local hand-cut meat and Japanese Wagyu. Keen wine connoisseurs haven't been forgotten either, with labels sourced from France, Italy, the U.S. and Australia available to perfectly complement the flavorsome meals.
It is a classical Chinese dish with pork loin and pineapple as main ingredients. Fried pieces of pork are stewed in a sauce with a vegetable mixture and pineapples. They say that the secret of the sauce is apple cider vinegar. Also, canned pineapple and its juice make the dish sweeter.
Putien at Causeway Bay exudes laid-back vibes whilst paying a deep homage to the traditional flavors of Fujian cuisine. From humble beginnings as a coffee shop on Kitchener Road, the Putien brand has expanded its wings to over 80 outlets all over Asia, serving fare full of natural tastes and using the freshest ingredients.
The highlight of the menu is seafood with signature seaweed featuring mini shrimps, bamboo herbal prawn, Singapore chili crab, and razor clams flown in straight from Putien, the city after which the restaurant is named. Aside from an impressive range of fruits of the sea, the list of options also showcases a variety of meat and vegetables dishes, like sweet and sour pork, stir-fried yam, braised bitter gourd, or bian rou (wonton soup).
Spring rolls are a delicious Asian appetizer, usually filled with a variety of finely chopped vegetables or sometimes meat, all wrapped in a thin, crisp pastry. Originating from China, they are traditionally eaten during the Spring Festival, hence the name. Spring rolls are typically deep-fried until golden brown and served with dipping sauces.
Once called “the cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant in the world” by the Vice magazine, Tim Ho Wan has been a Bib Gourmand establishment since 2021. Founded by chefs Mak Kwai-pui and Leung Fai-keung, the venue has gained worldwide acclaim for making the best of Hong Kong's culinary tradition accessible to everyone. The spot is a go-to for food enthusiasts looking for a vast selection of distinct dim sum delicacies.
From BBQ pork buns and rice noodle rolls to steamed egg cake and wonton in chili sauce, Tim Ho Wan serves food that isn't only consistently delicious, but also affordable. Feast on their signature shrimp dumplings, mouthwatering spring rolls with egg white and shrimp, and delectable steamed beef balls with bean curd, all designed to add some 'good luck' to your day — just as the restaurant's name suggests.
It is a broad range of dishes from all over the world. They are small balls of dough that is made with flour and water and wrapped around a filling. Fillings are so versatile, it can be any meat, fish, seafood, fruit, etc. Dumplings can be boiled, baked, steamed or fried.
Famous for its sensational, handmade Pekingese dumplings, Wang Fu is a Beijing-style restaurant serving a wide variety of these delectable pockets of dough filled with different flavors. Conveniently located in the heart of Central Hong Kong, the spot offers à la carte, which includes noodles with cold and warm varieties, and its famous dumplings as it is or in noodle soup. Don’t forget to ask about the daily special!
Grab a bite of green onion and mutton, pork, sea cucumber and shrimp, or tomato and egg dumplings. Be sure to also taste their popular rice with slices of beef shanks, smoked chicken, and pork with garlic sauce.
Prawns are delicious, whether stir fried, tossed through pasta, cooked in spicy curry, or placed in salads. Prawns can be served on their own, as a side dish, an appetizer or a snack.
A restaurant of legends, Sang Kee has been delighting lovers of Cantonese food since 1976, with memorable dishes that feature amazing seafood from their trusted suppliers. The establishment entices guests with its airy, bright dining room and time-worn charm. Their diverse menu promises a feast for the adventurous, offering enjoyable options from stir-fried egg with shrimp and yellow chives to baked fish intestines with eggs in a clay bowl.
The magic in Sang Kee's fare lies in the traditional flavors — you will definitely enjoy their salt-baked chicken, noodles with bean sprouts in soy sauce and shrimps, and braised boxthorn in broth with pork liver. While there's no lavish stemware and sycophantic service, the restaurant encourages a casual, boisterous and wallet-friendly dining experience, perfect for sharing a meal with friends and family.
The lamb meat is tenderer and more nutritional if compared to any other meat and has a particular gamey taste. It is not as firm as beef but chewier than chicken.
Hidden away on the corner of Water Street and Pok Fu Lam Road, Ba Yi is a Xinjiang restaurant serving delicacies such as stewed lamb and mutton skewers made of ingredients imported straight from the province itself. The establishment maintains a sense of rich historical connection, featuring a map of the Silk Road artistically displayed on a stretched canvas in its spacious room.
A must-try at Ba Yi is their signature roasted lamb leg, a formidable dish of intimidating size and tantalizing flavors, which needs a heads-up to the kitchen team beforehand and ideally, a hungry companion to share the gastronomic journey. Drinks are not an afterthought at Ba Yi, with the Ketik yoghurt beverage standing out as a worthy accompaniment to the rich and savory fare, while spicy chicken stew and special tofu salad are a pleasantly tangy respite from the menu, mainly consisting of lamb options.
Dan dan noodles is a distinctively flavorful dish that originates from the Sichuan province in China. The noodles, usually thin and long, are served in a robust sauce made of sesame paste, chili oil, Sichuan peppercorn, and other authentic spices. It's often topped with minced pork or beef cooked in soy sauce and Shaoxing wine, with hints of garlic, ginger, and green onions.
For affordable traditional Sichuan dishes, visit Wing Lai Yuen. This family-run restaurant is situated in the lively Hung Hom district and offers mouthwatering meals made from recipes passed down through generations from Chef Yeung Din-Wu's ancestors. Each option gives a delightful historical culinary experience.
A must-try at Wing Lai Yuen is their iconic dan dan noodles, a beloved classic Chinese dish renowned for its flamboyant flavors, offered with ground pork or a traditional meat-free version, and a choice between a savory or mild broth. The pleasing history of dan dan noodles dates back to Sichuan street food vendors who captured food lovers' hearts with their simple yet incredibly tasty noodles made with only a bamboo pole (dan), ingredients basket, and cooking equipment. Other popular choices in this restaurant include deep-fried Marinade duck, braised pork leg, and Sichuan-style loin slices.
Highly appreciated for its tender, succulent meat and unique flavor, cuttlefish is a type of cephalopod mollusk that is often consumed as food in Mediterranean, Asian, and Southern European cuisines, among others. When cooked, cuttlefish meat has a mild and sweet taste, comparable to a combination of squid and octopus.
In the pulsing heart of Hong Kong, Ah Chun Shandong stands as an oasis of old-world feel with its simple and traditional interior and dumplings handcrafted with only the freshest ingredients.
Top picks include grilled chicken, lamb, shrimp and scallion dumplings with a delicious broth inside and small pork wontons. You can also try noodles with mutton, smoked fish, and pork ribs or their crowd-pleaser, the Shandong roasted lamb and meat pie. Dumplings here are made with a wide variety of stuffing, from pork and mutton to black fungus, celery, and watercress. If you’re into seafood, order their mackerel and cuttlefish pieces of cooked dough for a tidal wave of flavor!
If you have not tried this dish yet, immediately run to the store for a duck. A golden crust, a variety of seasonings and an unusual aroma will not leave you indifferent.
Renowned for serving the crispiest and juiciest meats in Hong Kong, Po Kee has a considerable number of regulars who know just how valuable it is to arrive early for their beloved bowl of thick rice noodles or in-demand roast duck leg. The restaurant has been located in the dynamic Western District for more than 40 years.
Their signature treats include succulent roast goose and roast pork, each carved from meats grilled fresh in the ‘secret factory’ behind the scenes, where their delectable dishes are brought to life. But remember, both options tend to run out several hours past noon, so make sure you set your alarm or pre-order to truly experience the taste of authentic meat fare.
Known for its robust flavors, beef noodles is a savory dish comprising tender, slow-cooked beef slices or chunks, served atop a bed of freshly cooked noodles. The concoction is often immersed in a rich broth, seasoned to perfection with a blend of various herbs and spices. Some versions may include melted cheese, aromatic vegetables, or sprinkles of chili flakes.
The hum of excitement around Kau Kee in Hong Kong seems endless, and stepping into history that dates back to the 1930s certainly makes the anticipation worthwhile. You may need to do a touchdown dance once you find a seat in the bustling joint as it’s often jam-packed with visitors, thankfully, sharing tables is part of its simple and unassuming charm.
The spot serves some of the most delectable beef noodles in the city, with your choice of meats in a bowl of either tasty broth or spicy sauce. Don't forget to indulge in a sip of their famed milk tea. With accolades such as Best Restaurant in Central and Western, Best Chinese Noodles award, and a Michelin Bib Gourmand, Kau Kee continues to charm food lovers, making it a must-visit destination worth raving about.
Wontons are a sort of dumplings made of dough spread as a square wrapper and a filling, most commonly ground pork or shrimp with flour and spices. Generally, they are boiled and served in soup.
Always bustling with locals and tourists alike, especially during lunchtime, Tsim Chai Kee is a renowned restaurant serving up piping hot bowls full of chewy noodles, tasty broth, and delightful big-size wontons. Keeping it simple yet savory, Tsim Chai Kee offers only three toppings for their noodle bowls—exquisite shrimp wontons, hearty slices of beef, and springy fish balls.
All of these options are family recipes that have been passed down and perfected over three generations. You can also select between yellow, flat white, or vermicelli types of noodles. Their popular "all-in-one" three-topping dish is a fantastic choice and is available at just $50. Despite being simple in its decor, Tsim Chai Kee has been awarded with numerous accolades, including Michelin Bib Gourmand status and Best Chinese Noodles restaurant.
After exploring these top 13 Bib Gourmand Michelin restaurants in Hong Kong, don't forget to broaden your culinary adventure by diving into our guides on 5 classic Chinese dishes to try in Hong Kong and Best dim sum in Hong Kong – 10 places to try.
2 comments
Hong Kong is a food lover's dream! I wonder which of these delicious restaurants is a must-visit for ramen lovers like me?