Have you all followed the giant Doraemon on Victoria Harbour recently?
After the pursuit, you mustn’t go hungry~ But whenever I tell my friends how delicious Hong Kong is, I get dissed—”It’s clearly a food desert”…
Yes, when you visit other cities, you may look for local cuisine everywhere. In Hong Kong, however, “foreign cuisine” is more likely to stand out compared to tea restaurants or high-end Cantonese cuisine. The saying “you can easily enjoy the world’s best food in Hong Kong” is absolutely true. You need to understand that it’s not just about “eating everything” but “eating well”.
Taking the Michelin Guide as an example, among the 7 three-starred restaurants listed in 2024, only two serve Cantonese cuisine, while the others are foreign. Italian, French, Japanese… Hong Kong’s restaurants can often outshine those in their home countries.
However, based on my years of eating experience in Hong Kong, due to the humid and hot weather, it’s a perfect atmosphere for enjoying Southeast Asian cuisine.
Coincidentally, it’s the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia. Let’s start with a Malaysian restaurant in Sai Wan that has a strong presence in the culinary world~
🇲🇾 Malay Restaurant
The Restaurant of Malaysia’s Richest Man
The background of this restaurant is solid and extensive. It’s the hometown cuisine opened by Mr. Robert Kuok, the owner of Kerry Group and a wealthy Malaysian Chinese tycoon, in his own Hotel JEN.
Many Malaysians in Hong Kong have expressed that although Malaysian cuisine is now ubiquitous, if you want to taste truly authentic Malaysian flavors, Malay Restaurant is still the go-to place.
The head chef used to be the executive chef at Shangri-La in Malaysia, ensuring a high level of quality. He consistently wins awards and specializes in street food and Nyonya cuisine.
Penang Char Kway Teow and Penang Assam Laksa are beloved by those who have tried them. However, I want to recommend a few dishes that left a particularly good impression on me and linger in my mind every few days.
One is Nasi Lemak, a dish of rice cooked in coconut milk, served with curry chicken, beef, or squid, along with cucumber, fried ikan bilis (anchovies), and sambal chili sauce, all wrapped in a banana leaf. The aroma is irresistible, and once you take a bite, you can’t stop.
Another is Penang Hokkien Prawn Noodles. I remember the first time I tried it was recommended by Kuok Hui Kwong, the chairwoman of Shangri-La. It was truly excellent. The broth is rich, with a layer of red oil on top.
In addition to shrimp and rice noodles, it also includes ingredients such as fish cakes, meat, squid, and vegetables. However, note that the flavor is quite spicy, suitable for friends who prefer bold tastes.
If you’re looking for a simple meal, their Hainanese Chicken Rice is also outstanding. Without any extra frills, it’s purely authentic Malaysian Hainanese chicken. If you love it, remember to give it a try~
Address: 2/F, Hotel JEN Hong Kong, Queen’s Road West
Hours: Monday to Sunday 11:30-22:00
Average spending: Around 200 HKD per person
🇲🇾 Rempah Noodles
Modern Malaysian Noodles with a Simple Menu
After introducing the traditional big shot, let me introduce a modern small shop.
Rempah Noodles is located in Wan Chai, featuring floor-to-ceiling glass and a black and white color scheme, giving it a high visual appeal. In the center of the restaurant is a marble table where customers can choose to sit near the open kitchen or at the bar to enjoy their meal.
The signature flavor here is Nyonya cuisine, and the soul of Nyonya cuisine lies in each family’s secret recipe.
If it’s your first visit, I recommend trying their Nyonya Laksa, a traditional Nyonya dish characterized by its rich spices and coconut milk.
I particularly enjoy its broth, which includes lemongrass, garlic, chili, and other herbs and spices, along with the chewy thick rice noodles.
The second recommendation is the prawn noodles, made by simmering pork bones, prawn heads, and shells. The broth has an orange hue from the prawn oil and is garnished with pork lard cracklings and caramelized onions, creating a dish with remarkable depth of flavor. Tip: You can choose thin rice noodles or thick egg noodles.
If a bowl of noodles isn’t enough to satisfy your cravings, you can also try “Curry Puff,” a local snack that Malaysians adore. The outer layer is a golden, crispy pastry, while the filling consists of carrots, yam, and bean curd bits. When you bite into it, you can experience the fusion of the pastry, coriander, shrimp, and sambal sauce, creating a crisp and refreshing taste.
Address: G/F, 18 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai
Hours: Monday to Friday 11:30-20:00; Saturday 11:30-18:00
Average spending: Around 400 HKD per person
🇸🇬 Lao Ba Sha Restaurant
Celebrity Canteen for Singaporean Cuisine
Lao Ba Sha, meaning “market” in Malay, along with this familiar place name, everyone must have guessed what cuisine it offers~
That’s right, Singapore. The dishes and style are very similar to Malaysian cuisine but with a more international flair. Although this restaurant doesn’t follow the authentic cuisine route, its status in Hong Kong is on par with the best.
The restaurant owner combines Nanyang flavors with traditional Hong Kong Cantonese cuisine, creating a representative Southeast Asian culinary offshoot. Due to its consistent quality over decades, it has attracted various city celebrities, earning it the occasional title of “Celebrity Canteen.”
For appetizers, be sure to order the Drunken Foie Gras, which is exceptionally smooth and full of wine aroma, instantly awakening your appetite.
Then, you can confidently order the Five-Colored Breadcrumb Shrimp Balls and Yellow Curry Grouper.
As for the signature dishes—they must be Bak Kut Teh and Hainanese Chicken Rice. The former is a rich soup made with pork bones, spices, and herbs, boasting a unique flavor and aroma, especially suitable for summer.
Drink the soup first, then enjoy it with rice for a different taste experience.
The Hainanese Chicken Rice here uses fresh Longgang chicken, with tender and smooth meat. It is paired with premium Thai Kam Fung rice and baked with ingredients like lemongrass, fried garlic, and galangal, creating an unforgettable taste.
A friendly reminder: this restaurant is extremely popular, and it’s nearly impossible to dine here without making a reservation in advance. Additionally, the dishes here are relatively spicy, so remember to mention it beforehand if you can’t handle spicy food~
Address: G/F, 32-38 Crossstreet, Wan Chai
Hours: Monday to Sunday 12:00-15:00; 17:30-22:00
Average spending: Around 400 HKD per person
🇹🇭 Chachawan
If not Samsen, what else can we talk about?
After discussing three Singaporean and Malaysian restaurants, let’s talk about Thai cuisine.
As the weather starts to get hot, I’ve tried many Thai restaurants in first-tier cities in mainland China, but almost every one of them takes a localized transformation and innovation route. I haven’t encountered any small, fly-infested eateries similar to those in Thailand, so naturally, I can’t experience the joy of eating Thai food: sweating profusely while feeling refreshed.
So I really urge everyone, if you come to Hong Kong, find a good Thai restaurant to try.
Hong Kong travel experts and internet surfers can probably guess that I might mention Samsen today. No, I won’t. Today, I want to talk about Chachawan, the pinnacle of Northern Thai cuisine in Hong Kong and the former employer of Samsen’s current chef.
Although the chef has left, the quality of this renowned restaurant remains well-guaranteed to this day.
I recently dined there last month. The restaurant is not large and doesn’t have the feeling of waiting in line without seeing the progress bar like at Samsen. I got my turn after just a few swipes on my phone during peak hours.
The decor is not deliberately designed and doesn’t seem to follow the internet celebrity style. It’s purely a small shop aiming to 100% recreate the Thai feel.
For dishes, I highly recommend the crispy-edged grilled pork neck. After undergoing special seasoning and grilling, it has a strong oily texture and pairs perfectly with the sour and spicy Thai chili sauce.
Additionally, the grilled chicken thigh is marinated for 24 hours with garlic, pepper, coriander, and other spices before grilling, making it very rich and flavorful. It’s delicious!
For desserts, the coconut cake, coconut glutinous rice balls, and Thai-style pearl milk tea shaved ice are all excellent, providing a satisfying ending to the meal.
Address: G/F, 206 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan
Hours: Monday to Sunday 12:00-15:00; 18:00-23:00
Average spending: Around 200 HKD per person
🇻🇳 Chun Ting Vietnamese Cuisine
Trendy Vietnamese Food in Harbour City
We’ve covered Singaporean, Malaysian, and Thai cuisines. Since I went to Phu Quoc Island late last year and fell in love with the fresh and elegant local food, I’ll lastly mention a trendy Vietnamese restaurant in the city.
There are branches in Wan Chai and Harbour City in Tsim Sha Tsui. You can try it out when you’re tired from shopping.
Although it’s Vietnamese cuisine, the dishes at this restaurant are closer to innovative cuisine, and the ambiance is very pleasant, making it quite suitable for couples on dates or families dining together.
Many people come here specifically for a bowl of signature Beef Pho, and then pay an extra 50 HKD for a substantial and high-quality beef bone marrow. After finishing this bowl, not only will it eliminate fatigue, but you’ll feel like you can fight barehanded for another week.
In addition to this, other signature dishes such as Banh Mi, Vietnamese French Bread, and Hoi An Three Yellow Chicken Rice are also popular choices.
If you want a relatively affordable option, you can come for lunch. The three-course set menu is around 158 HKD and comes with handmade colorful tea, which tea lovers will adore.
Address: Shop 2307A, 2/F, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui
Address: 18 Lun Fat Street, Wan Chai
Hours: Monday to Sunday 11:30-22:00
Average spending: Around 150 HKD per person
Next week is the Dragon Boat Festival, and it might be a bit challenging to take a three-day holiday to Southeast Asia. However, especially for friends in the Greater Bay Area, coming to Hong Kong for authentic Southeast Asian cuisine and a short, precise city walk is still very feasible.
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