Shopping in Hong Kong: Mongkok

Tourists seldom go to this part of Mong Kok, preferring to shop at Tsim Sha Tsui or Causeway Bay. All the local residents know that bargains can be found in Mong Kok. It gets so crowded that every afternoon until evening the inner roads specifically Sai Yeung Choi St. is closed to vehicular traffic.

Let me share with you some of my discoveries in Mong Kok. There is more to Mong Kok than the Ladies Night Market which honestly I never go to since I consider it a tourist trap.

After shopping at Shanghai Street in Yau Ma Tei,  I walked to Nathan Road and headed towards Mong Kok. (From Shanghai Street cross Portland Street and the next street is Nathan Road. Turn left on Nathan Road towards Mong Kok) Two blocks away you will see this sushi restaurant.

Next to Aji Ichiban.

I usually take the 1 or 1a bus from Tsim Sha Tsui or Star Ferry and get off the Cheung Sha St. stop. You can also take the 6, 6a, 9, 35 bus and get off Nelson St. stop. You just need to take a short walk back to reach the Jusco $10 Plaza at the 3rd floor of the Chong Hing Square. The Nelson St. stop also gets you to Langham Place. You can also take the MTR but I’m not sure which exit to take since I always take the bus.

For bargain hunters Jusco $10 plaza is the place to go. This the Hong Kong franchise of Japan’s popular Daiso and the Philippines’ Saizen. This is the biggest branch in Hong Kong.

From Jusco’s website:
On the third floor of Chong Hing Square in Mongkok, the new “JUSCO $10 Plaza Plus” will have a floor area of 13,200 sq. ft. and carry over 12,000 stylish merchandise directly imported from Japan. Highlight products will include a wide range of Japanese food, interior decorative ornaments, stationery, and kitchenware.

Customers to the new store can expect to find a brand new section – that will carry premium value products priced from HK$15 to HK$200, providing more choices to customers who pursue higher living standard.

Jusco $10 plaza

It’s true that you can buy most of the items in Saizen but in Manila the items cost P85 each. With today’s exchange rate HK$10 is equivalent to around P55. That’s  P30 saving per item.

It’s nice to browse around the store. I’ve bought toys and leashes for my dogs. I’ve also found lots of really useful kitchen accessories and containers. They really have everything you are looking for including those you don’t really need. The quality is surprisingly quite good and durable.

Don’t forget to bring your own shopping bag. This store as well as several stores and supermarkets in Hong Kong charge HK$.50 per piece of plastic bag.

If you still have space in your shopping bags you can continue on this shopping tour. When you come out of the mall turn left and continue walking on Nathan Road. When you see the crosswalk cross to the other side of Nathan Road.

Continue walking for a block until you see Shantung Street.

Sim City is the mecca for photographic equipment, gadgets and all kinds of imaginable accessories at the most reasonable prices compared to those in the malls.

Sim City, Mong Kok

This mall has 3 levels.

Whatever camera brand, filters, tripods, bags or latest doodad you can find in this mall. Make sure to canvass the prices before buying. Most have only in-store warranty although several also offer international warranty. I bought a camera in this mall several years ago and it’s still working fine to this day.

This store sold all kinds of cases for iPad, iPhone as well as other accessories for other brands of cellphones and tablets.

I saw so many kinds of camera straps and bags from Korea, Japan and the USA. Photography buffs will definitely love Sim City.

This store sold high end cameras and accessories.

This big store sold 3rd party non-branded camera accessories that are very, very cheap.

They ha a wide variety of tripods and filters.

As well as batteries for any gadget you can imagine.

If you still have money go back to Nathan Road and continue walking for less than a block until you see Hollywood Plaza.

picture from www.hanglung.com

On the ground floor you will see the escalator that will bring you to the Esprit Outlet.

Esprit Outlet

All the past season’s clothes end up here at hugely discounted prices. On weekends the lines for the dressing rooms can be long.

Items are arranged by type and prices. Some clothes are marked up to 80% off.

They also had a men’s and kid’s section.

If you followed this shopping tour I can guarantee your wallet will be a lot lighter and your arms will be aching by the end of shopping at Esprit. If you can still shop go out the other exit of Esprit at Sai Yeung Choi street for much more shopping til you drop. Sephora is on the same street around the corner and the multi-level Bossini is across the street.

For more bargain shopping and directions to Mong Kok Computer Center and ‘sneakers street’ check out this video I made a few years ago.

Fa Yuen St. in Mong Kok is sooooo much better than the Ladies Market in Mong Kok. There are a lot of overruns from American and European brands.

Tip: download this video to your mobile phone to help you find the places.

video on how to go to Fa Yuen St. in Prince Edward 

Jusco $10 Plaza Plus
3/F, Chong Hing Square, 601 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Opening Hours : 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
telephone: +852-2388-3171


Sim City
47-51 Shantung Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon , Hong Kong


Esprit Outlet
Hollywood Plaza
610 Nathan Road,  Shop A & B Basement, Mong Kok, Kowloon , Hong Kong
telephone: +852-2388-0064
Fax 852 2388 1272


China Ferry Terminal
Shop 4-6, G/F & UG/F
33 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong