Tim Ho Wan – The Cheapest Michelin Star Restaurant in Hong Kong

 

When in Hong Kong, it is a big foodie mistake to miss on dining at Tim Ho Wan – one of the cheapest Michelin Star restaurants in the world.

 

 

 

Yet, be warned because the literal hunger games at Tim Ho Wan is nothing to joke about. Crowds of hungry customers are willing to wait for hours just to have a taste of Tim Ho Wan. When we went to Hong Kong, chowing down dim sums from this restaurant was on top of our list. And we made it come true right on the first day. But we  had to stand up and wait for two hours but the rewards are totally worth it.

 

 

 

Tim Ho Wan

 

 

 

Tim Ho Wan is a small restaurant at the heart of the busy streets of Mong Kok. It is always packed with customers, and foodies just come and go as quickly as possible to give chance to others who want to experience Michelin dining without breaking their budget. If you are not familiar with its location, this restaurant is easy to find because all you have to do is walk around Mong Kok and the restaurant with a large queue of people by the door is Tim Ho Wan. It has been awarded with 1 Michelin Star for both 2011 and 2012.

 

 

 

Don’t let confined space of the restaurant fool you, Tim Ho Wan has a Michelin Star for scrumptious reasons.

 

 

 

Inside Tim Ho Wan 

 

 

 

So as not to waste time, we immediately queued up and contemplated on our orders. It is a common thing in Hong Kong to order by checking what you like on a paper menu. Now, if only we could check all those boxes at Tim Ho Wan. And don’t worry, there is an English menu for non-locals like us.

 

 

 

A test of patience is required when dining at Tim Ho Wan. As our first reward, we  gobbled up on the Baked Bun with BBQ Pork. The bun was crispy on the outside with a cheese-like net cover on its exterior. But when you bite on it, the bun is very soft on the inside. The pork filling is a perfect balance of sweet and savory. Every bite makes you forget the hours you have to wait to get seated in this restaurant.

 

 

 

Baked Bun with BBQ Pork

 

 

 

The Deep-Fried Spring Roll Filled with Beef and Mushroom are packed with full flavor. They are crisp on the outside and tasty on the inside. The beef and mushroom are truly a perfect pairing and nothing can show that best but these spring rolls from Tim Ho Wan.

 

 

 

Deep-Fried Spring Roll Filled with Beef and Mushroom

 

 

 

The Steamed Creamy Custard Bun is a favorite in Tim Ho Wan and it was our favorite too. It is a soft mantao bun packed with custard filling. The custard inside the bun is creamy. This was a sweet break with every savory dim sum and dumpling that we were having. It was love at first bite. Actually, with every bite.

 

 

 

Steamed Creamy Custard Bun

 

 

 

The Steamed Fish Ball and Vegetable is a flavor of seafood freshness rolled in a large ball. Unlike the processed fish ball that we are accustomed to, this one is tastier and better. Oh and there’s vegetable in there somewhere. It’s really, really good!

 

 

 

Steamed Fish Ball and Vegetable

 

 

 

The Steamed Fresh Shrimp Dumplings is not your usual shrimp dumpling because this is probably the freshest we had – ever. Tim Ho Wan shrimp dumplings had a best of fresh flavor with every bite. It gives an indescribable feeling and it makes you feel that no other shrimp dumpling should ever touch your lips again. It’s super delicious!

 

 

 

Steamed Fresh Shrimp Dumplings

 

 

 

The Steamed Rice with Pork and Salty Fish looks like a poor man’s meal but mind you, if it was, this is the best meal a poor man can have. There is a lot of rice on the bowl drizzled with tasty soy sauce. It is topped with a piece of pork and a small chunk of salty fish. This is how they spell perfection at Tim Ho Wan.

 

 

 

Steamed Rice with Pork and Salty Fish

 

 

 

If you are having a hard time eating veggies then the Steamed Spinach Dumpling with Mushroom and Garlic from Tim Ho Wan is the best solution. The flavors of the spinach, mushroom, and garlic will leave you wanting more.

 

 

 

Steamed Spinach Dumpling with Mushroom and Garlic

 

 

 

If we ever go back to Hong Kong, we would still gladly stand at the doors of Tim Ho Wan just to have some of their dim sums and dumplings. We never regret any second we spent standing outside. It was just a small price to pay to dine at Tim Ho Wan – a budget-friendly Michelin Star Restaurant.

 

 

 

When in Hong Kong, don’t miss scratching Tim Ho Wan off your bucket list.

 

 

 

Tim Ho Wan

2-20 Kwong Wa Street Mong Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Open: 10am-10pm

 

 

 

Find Tim Ho Wan menu here. 

 

 

 

Tim Ho Wan – The Cheapest Michelin Star Restaurant