Best Cheap Eats in Hong Kong
Andrea Lo
On a budget this month – or just want to check out some awesome eats around Hong Kong without breaking the bank? We’ve got you covered. From bargain satay skewers and Chinese diner classics to top-notch Italian food in a no frills setting, check out these cheap eats around the city.
Hor Hor Deem
Courtesy of HK Magazine
This venerable dai pai dong-style eatery in Kennedy Town set up shop way before the Western District became the foodie destination it is today. Classic Hong Kong dishes, like beef brisket noodles and fried rice fall around the HK$25 mark, while snacks like cheung fun drizzled with chilli sauce and peanut butter start at just HK$12. Got a sweet tooth? Choose from over 30 Chinese desserts on offer – the cheapest of which sets you back a mere HK$10. This joint is no secret to neighbourhood dwellers, and in fact, it’s known as a bit of a hangout for students at nearby HKU thanks to its very solid food at pocket-friendly prices. Hor Hor Deem is the kind of place where you share tables with strangers – but it’s so successful that it recently opened a second branch across the road, so there’s no shortage of seats around.
Shop E & F, G/F, Luen Wai Apartments, 136-142 Belcher’s Street, Kennedy Town, (852) 2818 3658
Traditional Beijing Dumpling House
Courtesy of Sunkissed Suitcase
Run by a family from China’s Hubei province, Traditional Beijing Dumpling House brings the authentic flavours of the north to the Queen Street Cooked Food Centre in Sheung Wan. Day after day, this place churns out around four varieties of dumplings, including peashoot and pork; beef and mushroom; plus lamb and green onion, served either pan-fried or boiled. These tasty morsels start at just HK$33 for a dozen and also come with a complimentary bowl of Chinese tomato soup. If you want the pan-fried variety for lunch, be sure to get there quick – they’re often out by 1pm.
1/F, Queen Street Cooked Food Centre, 38 Des Voeux Road, Sheung Wan, (852) 6349 2832
Pho Bar
Courtesy of Eat With Jess
Fancy a steaming bowl of pho? Look no further than Pho Bar for the Vietnamese classic beef noodle dish. The ‘supreme combo’, in particular, offers everything from beef brisket, shank, tripe, and fillet to beef balls and tail at just HK$88. If you want something to bulk up your meal, be rest assured that light bites like spring rolls are just HK$28. A pretty good dining option in overpriced Central.
28 Li Yuen Street West, Central, (852) 2109 2028
Tim Ho Wan
Courtesy of Anakjajan
Dim sum restaurant Tim Ho Wan holds the distinction of being the cheapest dining establishment to have been awarded a star by the Michelin Guide. Established by a former chef at Cantonese fine dine Lung King Heen, Tim Ho Wan offers all your dim sum favourites at very agreeable prices (ranging from around $17-27 per dim sum dish, like har gow or siu mai).
Various locations including G/F, 9-11 Fuk Wing Street, Sham Shui Po, (852) 2788 1226
ABC Kitchen
Courtesy of www.eatmymusings.com
By now, ABC Kitchen is no secret to anyone – but it’s always going to be a slight novelty to have Italian food in a no-frills, cooked food centre setting. ABC (“A Better Cooking”) Kitchen is run by chefs who previously worked at now-closed M at the Fringe, a legendary Italian restaurant at Fringe Club. There’s a charming ambience and of course, top-notch Italian fare at great value, which is hard to find elsewhere in Hong Kong. At lunch, you’ll get daily pastas/pizzas/risottos (HK$46-53). Come evening, be sure to try ABC’s signature suckling pig (advance ordering essential).
1/F, Queen Street Cooked Food Market, 38 Des Voeux Road West, Sheung Wan, (852) 9278 8227
Indonesian Sate House
Courtesy of Chinese Culture University
This hole-in-the-wall Indonesian joint offers delicious satay skewers for just HK$8, while classics, like nasi goreng, are under HK$50. Run by a Chinese-Indonesian couple, Indonesian Sate House has been around for more than 15 years and is still going strong.
76D Shau Kei Wan Main Street East, Shau Kei Wan, (852) 2886 5796
Kam Wah Cafe
Courtesy of Tripadvisor
Mong Kok cha chaan teng Kam Wah serves Hong Kong diner classics. It’s particularly famous for its pineapple bun, as you’ll see from the newspaper clippings that line the walls. Wash it down with some Hong Kong-style milk tea.
47 Bute Street, Mong Kok, (852) 2392 6830
Andrea Lo is a freelance journalist and translator based in Hong Kong. After cutting her teeth in the industry as a staff writer at a lifestyle magazine, she embraced the freelance life in 2015 and hasn’t looked back. She spends her time exploring the best of Hong Kong’s dining and nightlife scene, trialling new fitness trends, and travelling to exotic locales – all in the name of “research”.