It's one of the most vibrant districts in Hong Kong, and we're uncovering some secret (and cheap!) Sham Shui Po restaurants that you won't want to miss
Sham Shui Po, “deep water pier” in Cantonese, is a mere two stops away from vibrant Mong Kok on the Tsuen Wan (red) Line on the MTR. “The Po,” as affectionally called by those of us who frequent the shopping mecca of electronics, inexpensive holiday decorations, and crafting supplies, is also a heaven for foodies. Rather than enjoying the usual best brunches in Hong Kong over the weekend, sample something slightly off the beaten path in Sham Shui Po, a bustling and vibrant neighbourhood filled with countless street food stalls and inexpensive restaurants. Are you ready to discover the hidden culinary gems of the Po? These Sham Shui Po restaurants are our top picks for affordable eats.
Sham Shui Po restaurants for cheap eats
Big Sister Shandong Dumplings 山東餃子館
Big Sister Shandong Dumplings is a non-descript restaurant that gets packed during the lunch hour rush. The menu presents a wide range of dumplings, such as pork and chives, lamb and spices and the flavourful meat alternative. Our favourite is the tomato pork dumplings—they are big and juicy, perfectly complemented by the tarty sweetness of tomatoes. Other than great dumplings, they also have mouth-watering dan dan noodles, making it one of our favourite Sham Shui Po restaurants.
Big Sister Shandong Dumplings, 山東餃子館, G/F, 81C Un Chau Street, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, p. 2729 2800, 深水埗元州街81C號舖
Sichuan Flavour Eatery 川味美食
Fancy a bowl of spicy soup noodles? Look no further than Sichuan Flavour Eatery in the heart of the Po. This modest diner specializes in glass noodles, which are made of sweet potatoes, and served with or without broth. There are various toppings to go with your noodles, such as marinated pork, fish balls, and other traditional delicacies. When in a bind, choose from the pictures on the menu, and enjoy your steaming bowl of noodles with a bottle of ice-cold soy milk.
Sichuan Flavour Eatery, 川味美食, G/F, 257 Yu Chau Street, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, p. 2720 3766 深水埗汝州街257號地下
Kakurega Ramen Factory 隠家拉麵工場
Tucked away in the maze of the Dragon Centre, Kakurega Ramen Factory is a true hidden gem. From the outside, it looks like a bamboo shack, and the interior is not much to shout about either—hungry customers sit around wooden tables on stacked Coca-Cola crates. However, the tsukemen ramen in this make-shift joint is to die for. Unlike the many ramen restaurants in Hong Kong, Kakurega serves the noodles and the broth in different bowls. You can choose from white, black, or red broth, and be sure to order the silky onsen tamago (the hot spring egg) on the side. Dip the ramen into the broth, and get ready to slurp the best ramen in town!
Kakurega Ramen Factory, 隠家拉麵工場, Room 7083, 7/F, Dragon Centre, 37 Yen Chow Street, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, p. 3487 0989, 深水埗欽州街37號西九龍中心7樓7083號室
Munakataya 宗像屋
Munakataya is another hidden delight in the Po, serving a mountain of fresh sashimi on a bed of tangy sushi rice. We recommend the standard “cherry blossoms” which contains nine types of seafood such as tuna, scallops, and salmon. Are you extra hungry? Go for the larger portion “bamboo.” If you want to be a bit more adventurous, try “pine,” which includes 10 types of seafood including salmon roe and octopus. For those of us with extravagant taste buds, order the “extra special,” which has 11 types of seafood, such as succulent sea urchins and meaty crab. Be sure to save a little bit of fish and rice at the end—the server will add hot fish broth to your bowl to create a delightful ochazuke to finish off your meal.
Munakataya 宗像屋, Shop B, G/F, 60 Castle Peak Road, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, p. 2178 3322, 深水埗青山道60號地下B舖
Shum Shum Desserts 深深甜品
Decked out in mailboxes, toys and other memorabilia from the 1970s and 1980s, Shum Shum Desserts transports you back to Old Hong Kong. Try the rich red bean soup with old-fashioned tangerine peel or the smooth and nutty handmade stone sesame paste. What we can’t get enough of is the “Three Dollar Sweet Tofu,” which contains taro sago, brown sugar tapioca, and taro and sweet potato rice balls, all directly imported from Taiwan. Shum Shum Desserts is the charming and sweet note to finish off a day of feasting at these Sham Shui Po restaurants!
Shum Shum Desserts 深深甜品, 46 Kweilin St, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, 深水埗桂林街46號恆安樓地下C鋪
