For lunch I ate at Nanhai No. 1, a Michelin One Star restaurant in a beautiful setting with matching prices. For dinner I bought dim sum at a hole in a wall in Mongkok which also had the distinction of being the cheapest Michelin One Star restaurant in Hong Kong.
I went to Tim Ho Wan late in the afternoon hoping that there’s no line.
I don’t think there’s any time in the day that there is no queue to eat at Tim Ho Wan. Locals and foreigners know good cheap food is worth the wait.
Well I don’t have patience to wait so I ordered a variety of dim sum for take away. I only waited 15 minutes for it.
Both chicken feet and spareribs were good but nothing spectacular but I’m not complaining since an order costs HK$14 only.
steamed chicken feet and spareribs with black bean sauce HK$14 each
The Chiu Chow dumplings had a thick and sticky wrapper with seafood and peanuts filling. Quite good.
steamed dumpling Chiu Chow style HK$10
My favorite was the glutinous rice in lotus leaf (lo mai gai) which was called glue rice dumpling on the menu. It was moist, very flavorful and had lots of lean pork as filling. It tasted much better than the ones I’ve had in more expensive restaurants.
glue rice dumpling (glutinous rice in lotus leaf) HK$22
I bought 4 orders of my ultimate Tim Ho Wan favorite BBQ pork buns. Cheap or not these are really the best bbq pork buns. Your first bite will be sweet, savory pork filling and not just bread. There’s just enough bread to wrap around a lot of filling instead of the other way around in most places. These were perfect the next day for breakfast.
baked bun with bbq pork HK$15 (3 pieces)
My friend Tisay gave us a box of warm Portugese egg tarts from Macau Restaurant. I haven’t had these in a long time and enjoyed the rich buttery crust filled with creamy egg custard.
Portugese egg tarts from Macau restaurant
Tim Ho Wan menu
A visit to Tim Ho Wan is now a part of my trip to Hong Kong. I still have several dishes I want to try. I doubt I’ll ever get to eat inside the restaurant but I don’t really mind. For those who stay in a hotel in Hong Kong I suggest you take out the BBQ pork buns since you can eat them anytime.
I’m sad that this branch has closed as of January 2013.
Tim Ho Wan
Shop 8, Taui Yuen Mansion Phase 2, 2-20 Kwong Wa Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
旺角廣華街2-20號翠園大樓2期地下8號舖
telephone: (852) 2332-2896
The newest branch of Tim Ho Wan is at:
Shop 72, G/F, Olympian City 2, 18 Hoi Ting Road, Tai Kok Tsui, Kowloon
telephone: 2332 2896
Shoot First Eat Later 
Every time I attempt to eat at Tim Ho Wan, I am daunted by the queue. But only 15 minutes for take away? I’m so there! Thanks for the tip.
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I will certainly include this resto in my next HK trip. the baked bbq pork buns are also mark’s favourite 🙂
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We always go to their branch at Sham Shui Po where there are less tourists and we always enjoy a meal without the need to hurry. It’s just a good 3-5 minute walk from the MTR station. The trip to that branch is worth it. We always order different items from the menu and absolutely love the bbq pork buns but never tried to order for tapao because we’re not sure how it would be after a couple of hours or how to reheat it. Any suggestions?
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I just reheated the BBQ pork buns in the toaster oven and it was just as good! I didn’t know they had a branch in Sham Shui Po. Is it near the Golden Shopping Center?
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Leslie, I enjoyed takeout which I learn not to say To Go for they do not understand American slang of it. I like pineapple char siu bao the sweet and savory is now so in every where . Are you going to stay for few days at InterContinental Hotel with parents? It should be lot fun.
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I wish! No hotel. Staying in an apartment this time.
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They have other branches aside from Mongkok; in Sham Shui Po, in HK station, and the newest, in North Point.
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I love those custard tarts! I would love to visit Hong Kong again now that I have a little one so we can take her to the Disneyland there. She’s been to the Disneyland in CA but authentic dim sum, a ferry ride, and Disneyland all in one place sounds like a winner to me. You are so blessed to go there!
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