Hong Kong is famous for its grandstand dining scene, with a dazzling array of eateries spanning casual dim sum joints and dai pai dongs to Michelin-starred fine-dining. Yet the city is also a melting pot of authentic and regional Chinese cuisine, from Shanghai to Sichuan. Pack your appetite and read on to discover some of our favourite Chinese restaurants in Hong Kong.
Shanghai
You know it’s good when locals dig it and Wan Chai’s Zhejiang Heen is the tricked-out ‘comfort blanket’ for Shanghai expats. Elegant, antique-tinged Jiangnan interiors backdrop the Michelin star-awarded fare made with top-notch ingredients. Book a private room for rowdier get-togethers and don’t forgo the delicious pork belly. A decent vegetarian menu is also available.
Zhejiang Heen / 1-3/F / Kiu Fu Commercial Bldg / 300-306 Lockhart Rd / Wan Chai / +852 2877 9011 / lunch & dinner daily / zhejiangheen.com
Xinjiang
The clue’s in the name at Ba Yi, a restaurant specialising in sheep-centric Xinjiang cuisine. Adventurous foodies herd into this simple, lattice-wrapped canteen for – you guessed it – stewed lamb, mutton skewers and roast leg of lamb (the latter should be ordered in advance). Not a lamb lover? Try the spicy chicken and potato stew, and pair with the Ketik yoghurt drink. What’s more, crowning their first ever Mich-star in 2020, a sure fire hit for a reasonable dollar.
Ba Yi / 43 Water St / Sai Ying Pun / +852 2484 9981 / lunch & dinner Tue-Sun / res essential
Hunan
Brace your palate for the fiery chilli-laced Hunanese morsels at Hu Nan Heen, a bright, casual China-wide chain transplanted to bustly Causeway Bay that’s hailed as HK’s best example of the region’s cuisine. A total lack of windows, teamed with impenetrable Google-translated menu, may be disparaging at first, but persist and be rewarded with yummy seafood, rice noodles, and a killer smoked bean curd.
Hu Nan Heen / 4/F / Circle Plaza / 499 Hennessy Rd / Causeway Bay / +852 2602 6808 / lunch & dinner daily
Dongbei
Rouge-hued Lao Zhang Gui, with its red lanterns and Chinoiserie artworks, is a bang-for-buck paradise of Dongbei delicacies. Try the expertly made dumplings, stuffed with sticky braised meat and fresh herbs, or if you’re partial to duck, call ahead to order their sublime take on Peking duck.
Lao Zhang Gui / Peony House North Block / 55-65a Tai Kok Tsui Rd / Tai Kok Tsui / Kowloon / +852 2572 8366 / lunch & dinner Mon & Wed-Sun
Yunnan
While most Yunnanese restaurants in Hong Kong ladle up only noodles, cosy Yunnan Rainbow boasts an extensive menu covering the entire spectrum of traditional Yunnanese fare, including all manner of mushrooms – many of which even the most devoted mycophagist won’t have heard of before. Fun-ghi!
Yunnan Rainbow / 18/F / Wah Ying Bldg / 14-20 Shelter St / Causeway Bay / +852 2881 8992 / lunch & dinner daily
Sichuan
From tingly cold noodles to tongue-obliterating chilli oil-poached fish, the classics are all here at Sijie. This little Sichuan firecracker has proven so popular for its authentic fare, ridiculous bargain pricing and free corkage that it now occupies two locations.
Sijie / 10/F / Bartlock Centre / 3 Yiu Wa St / Causeway Bay / +852 2802 2250 / & 1/F / Aubin House / 171 Gloucester Rd / Wan Chai / +852 2896 0070 / lunch Mon-Sat, dinner daily / BYOB / book ahead / cash only
Eat Your Way Around Hong Kong with our curated list of restaurants…
