Until recently, Tai Kok Tsui was considered something of a dead zone. Stranded in west Kowloon without an MTR station, the neighbourhood was perceived as an industrial area, like the Kwun Tong of old, with little appeal for visitors. Not any more, though. TKT is buzzing. No MTR means more affordable rent and that’s allowed a number of exciting small restaurants to establish themselves. Cantonese, Japanese omakase, Mediterranean cuisine – you can get just about anything in the neighbourhood these days. Not sure where to start? Read on for our guide to Tai Kok Tsui’s best restaurants.
And if the area seems too far to go, try our guide to the best restaurants in Tai Po or North Point instead. Or simply go straight to our feature on Hong Kong’s best restaurants. By Sam Sinha
Not much to look at, this joint is hugely popular among locals. The reason? Mean bowls of noodle soup that cost around $50 as well as an extensive menu of other local dishes. We recommend the shark fin soup to start, followed by noodles with pork dumplings. If you’re still hungry after all that, there’s also a good range of Cantonese desserts to sample.
Carefully sourced, perfectly prepared and expertly served coffee is the name of the game at this neighbourhood favourite. The food’s worth a mention too, with excellent bagels and pastries on offer as well as breakfast options like avocado on toast. The perfect choice for a quick bite on the go or if you need a quick break from the busy streets.
This demure-looking 10-seat omakase restaurant serves only the freshest produce direct from Japan. Expertly prepared specimens include creamy uni straight from the shell, fresh oysters and juicy prawns. Naturally, there’s beautifully sliced fish too, including many rare Japanese varities which the enthusiastic owners are more than happy to chat about. Everything is served with TLC and at $1,200 for more than 20 dishes, the menu isn’t as expensive as you might first think.
Its winning combination of generous portions and quirky options has made Burgerman a hit not just in Tai Kok Tsui, but in nearby Sham Shui Po, where the original branch opened. Creative concoctions like a crispy foie gras burger and the mermaid burger – consisting of deep fried shrimp wrapped in octopus meat – are a welcome change from the norm. If that all sounds too off-the-wall, the well apportioned signature double patty trucker burger gives the traditionalist carnivore an option. Side dishes like crispy sweet potato fries and spicy buffalo wings are a good addition to make things a full meal.
A solid, reasonably priced Italian serving up decent steaks, salads, pizzas and burgers. Try the black truffle oil pizza topped with Italian mascarpone – the standout choice. To whet your whistle, you can sip on an Italian red or for something a bit different, try the macha red bean milkshake or California avocado slush.
This is one of the few Egyptian eateries in all Hong Kong – alongside the likes of Aziza and Le Souk – and it’s certainly the best North African option in this neck of the woods. Down to earth, pleasantly spiced comfort food is the order of the day here, authentically delivered by a husband and wife team. Expect slow-cooked tagines, smoky kebabs and grilled meats –all Halal-friendly.
The crew at Lao Zhang Gui Dongbei have daubed the entire restaurant in lucky red – from exterior signage to the wallpaper, Chinese lanterns and paintings hanging inside. The expertly made dumplings are filled with sticky braised meats and fresh herbs making this a good shout for a very affordable taste of this hearty regional Chinese cuisine.
If you’re looking for a thin crust slice of Italia in Tai Kok Tsui, look no further than Ristorante Pizzeria Da Vincenzo. The cosy dining room makes it feel like you’re eating at your Italian mama’s home, with top notch pasta dishes, pizzas and veggie soups on offer. You can bank on this one being full of investment folk from the nearby HSBC Centre.
If you need something warming, stop by here. Soupreme’s nutritious homemade broths are used as the base for a wide range of Cantonese soups that come accompanied with noodles, rice, chicken wings, boiled eggs and braised meats. Despite the name, though, it’s not just about the soup here – the truffle fried rice is also well worth a go. Whatever you opt for, you’ll be soup-remely glad you broth-ered!
We’re big fans of the care and attention taken in the kitchen at Starry Night. The menu could be a little more focused – tempting pasta dishes sit next to bacon and cheese fries – but everything that comes out of the kitchen is well made and reasonably priced. One of Tai Kok Tsui’s best options for western fare that’s a cut above.
This branch of this famous yum cha chain holds a humble Bib Gourmand recommendation rather than a Michelin star like its sister restaurant in Sham Shui Po, but it still delivers the same great value handmade dim sum. As ever, the baked cha siu bao remain a winner.
If you’re incapable of making a decision when you dine out, this is the place for you. The restaurant’s quirky concept is it serves only the chef’s secret menu. Changing seasonally and described as ‘Korean Japan fusion’, the only thing you can choose is how premium to go, with a range of prices that go from level one ($120) to level five ($340).
There’s more to TST than just shopping and a good curry in Chungking Mansions.
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