Upbeat and always bustling, Mong Kok is at the centre of all the action in Kowloon, making it one of the best places to experience Hong Kong culture. Read up on the best places to eat, shop, and explore with our guide to Mong Kok.
While known for its numerous street markets and cheap places to buy electronics plus various knick knacks, Mong Kok is a diverse neighbourhood that has even more to offer. At this vibrant hub of Hong Kong street culture, there’s no shortage of things to do in Mong Kok – even at night! Whether you’re here to look for late-night eats in the neighbourhood, or simply intrigued about the area because you’ve just learnt about “MK”, the notorious Hong Kong slang, our complete guide to Mong Kok will help you navigate your way through in no time.
Your ultimate neighbourhood guide to Mong Kok
Guide to Mong Kok: The lore behind the “bustling corner”
Here’s a bit of culture trivia for ya: Did you know Mong Kok used to be called Mong Kok Tsui (芒角咀) before the 1930s? The area was named for the abundance of ferns (known as mong chou (芒草) in Cantonese) and the shape of its sharp coast before land reclamation. As the colonial government redeveloped most of Kowloon in the mid-1900s, many neighbourhoods acquired new names. Some stuck, some didn’t.
For instance, Prince Edward and Austin remained, with their Cantonese names being phonetic translations of their English names. On the other hand, Mong Kok was able to retain its indigenous name after a brief stint of being known as Argyle. As urban development gradually removed greenery in the area, authorities opted to change “mong” in Mong Tsui Kok to its homonym, “wong” (旺), while keeping its English name the same. Today, Mong Kok means “bustling corner”, which is an apt alias since it’s indeed always filled with hordes of people!
Guide to Mong Kok: Best restaurants, cafes, and bars
1. Lazy Pot
If you’re a fan of hot pot, then you’ll love its cousin, chicken pot. Basically hot pot with a nourishing chicken broth, you can savour the umami of this soup base with a variety of fresh ingredients. Lazy Pot is one of the best places to try chicken pot in Hong Kong. Come with a group of friends and gather around the steaming bowl for a feast!
Lazy Pot, 23/F, 726 Nathan Road, Mong Kok, Hong Kong, p. 2508 0002
2. Yadllie Plate
Head over to Yadllie Plate for some mouth-watering Korean fried chicken! This K-eatery has all the traditional Korean grub, and more. Kick off your meal with a freshly made basket of Yadllie Fried Chicken, and follow it up with a Bossam pork platter. For those craving a bit of spice, a bubbling Budae Jjigae will always fit the bill.
If you love the crunch of KFC, then you’ll love our guide to the best Korean fried chicken in Hong Kong!
Yadllie Plate 야들리애플래이트, 11/F, CTMA Centre, 1N Sai Yeung Choi Street South, Mong Kok, Hong Kong, p. 2360 0233
3. Superior Manya Japanese Restaurant
Got a hankering for a full-on feast? Superior Manya Japanese Restaurant has you covered. Famous for its all-you-can-eat set menus, you can savour the Japanese restaurant’s wide array of offerings to your heart’s content! From sashimi and sushi to yakitori and tempura, Superior Manya’s food is crafted with fresh ingredients and can definitely fill you up on the cheap.
Superior Manya Japanese Restaurant, 1/F, Wu Sang House, 655 Nathan Road, Mong Kok, Hong Kong, p. 3622 3338
4. Champak Restaurant by Atum
The photogenic Champak Restaurant specialises in innovative (and equally photogenic) Southeast Asian cuisine. Dig into revamped classics like Pad Thai with King Prawn and Crab Meat, Pineapple Butterfly Pea Fried Rice, and other refreshing items. We also recommend trying the Beef Massaman Curry, which is best enjoyed with a steaming bowl of rice.
Champak Restaurant by Atum, Shop 107-108, 1/F, The Forest, 17 Nelson Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong, p. 3468 2558
5. Station 3 Cafe
Tucked away in the bustling Sai Yee Street is Station 3 Cafe, one of the many hidden gems in the neighbourhood. This upstairs cafe offers an array of Western dishes, from salads and snacks to delectable pastas. If you’re looking for a casual eatery to catch up with your friends over a no-fuss meal, this is the place to be!
Station 3 Cafe, Room 08-09, 25/F, Golden Era Plaza, 39 Sai Yee Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong, p. 6681 1177
Guide to Mong Kok: Things to do
6. Take a walk along Shanghai Street
A history lesson is due with any mention of Shanghai Street. Originally named Station Street for its intersection with Yau Ma Tei Police Station, it was renamed Shanghai Street in the 1900s when the colonial government began naming streets in Kowloon after the major ports that were trading with Hong Kong. Even until today, Shanghai Street is characterised by Guangdong-style tong lau and stands out in parallel to its neighbour, Nathan Road, where Western architecture and newer buildings dominate.
From the late 19th century to the early 20th century, Shanghai Street was a trading hub for Chinese goods and services. Shops included qipao tailors, feng shui fortune tellers, and pawn shops. Nowadays, Shanghai Street houses a mixture of residential tong lau, old shops, and contemporary lifestyle stores, introduced alongside a revitalisation project: 618 Shanghai Street. We recommend checking this place out during your visit to Mong Kok!
Shanghai Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
7. Get your anime fix at Sino Centre
Attention, fellow weebs and Koreaboos! Here’s a must-visit place in Mong Kok for you. While Sino Centre may look rather unassuming on the outside, inside reveals a fantastic world of anime, cartoons, and collectibles.
If you’re planning to drop by, take a look at our guide to Sino Centre.
Sino Centre, 582-592 Nathan Road, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
8. Visit Goldfish Street and snap some pics
Goldfish Street is a section of Tung Choi Street in Mong Kok, home to one of the most famous street markets in Hong Kong (we’ll get to that later). This section is, of course, named for the goldfish vendor stalls lining both sides of the road. You might not be able to bring home a fish or two from Goldfish Street, but you certainly can pose for a picture with them. This place is one of the most Instagrammable spots in Hong Kong, so there’s no shame in getting snappy here!
Goldfish Street (Tung Choi Street), Mong Kok, Hong Kong
9. Chill out at Fa Hui Park
Want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Mong Kok? Make your way to Fa Hui Park. This public park is an urban oasis with a tranquil atmosphere ideal for relaxation. You’ll see a variety of ornamental plants in Fa Hui Park, mostly taken care of by nearby residents as part of a community project. Take shelter from the sun under a tree, go on a leisurely stroll, or watch as the kids get their game on at basketball. And if you’re visiting in February, you’ll see Fa Hui Park transformed into one of the most popular Lunar New Year markets in Kowloon!
Fa Hui Park, 101 Boundary Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
Guide to Mong Kok: Where to shop
10. Hunt for bargains at local markets
Mong Kok is where you’ll find some of the most frequented street markets in Hong Kong. Heading northeast from Mong Kok MTR Station will take you to Mong Kok Flower Market, where gorgeous blooms are on offer at wholesale prices. Going south towards Argyle Street will take you to Sneakers Street, where you’ll find stores selling branded shoes at fabulous discounts. Finally, Ladies Market lies on the southern end of Tung Choi Street and remains to be one of the most popular tourist attractions in Hong Kong.
Mong Kok Flower Market, Flower Market Road, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
Sneakers Street, 71-73 Fa Yuen Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
Ladies Market, Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
11. Moko
If you want to splurge in a glitzy mall (complete with AC for the hot summer days), then Moko in Mong Kok East is the top pick for shopping in Mong Kok. Not only does this mall stock all of your usual luxury brands, it’s also usually less crowded than malls in central Mong Kok. What’s more, the walk from Mong Kok to Mong Kok East is sheltered if you make use of the footbridge between Mong Kok Road and Sai Yee Street, making it extra convenient for you to access Moko and its nearby train stations.
Moko, 193 Prince Edward Road West, Mong Kok, Hong Kong, p. 2397 0790
12. Langham Place
If you find us Team Honeycombers in Mong Kok, chances are we’re at Langham Place. This mall is a one-stop shop for a variety of luxury international fashion and beauty brands. Complete with a series of dining destinations, Langham Place is a great pit stop to make in your day of neighbourhood exploring. If you’re researching where to stay in Mong Kok, Cordis, Hong Kong is conveniently connected to Langham Place and nearby train stations.
Langham Place, 8 Argyle Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong, p. 3520 2800
13. Grand Plaza
Another shopping destination in Mong Kok is Grand Plaza. Although smaller than Moko and Langham Place, this Hong Kong shopping centre houses a number of down-to-earth shops, such as Cotton On, Decathlon, and Mi Ming Mart. In addition to these affordable fashion and beauty staples, you’ll also find a couple of eateries and jewellery specialists here.
Grand Plaza, 625 & 639 Nathan Road, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
