Want to dine at the very best restaurants in the city, without blowing the budget? Here are our favourite cheap eats in Hong Kong, as recommended by The Michelin Guide.
Whether you’ve lived here forever or are just passing through, food is always a priority in this city. Known for its incredibly diverse culinary scene and amazing dining options (currently with 78 one, two and three Michelin-starred restaurants!), the foodie scene draws us in time and time again. Our only complaint? Dining out can be quite the strain on our purse strings. Luckily, Hong Kong is home to a range of top-quality cheap eats—recommended by The Michelin Guide no less! From Bib Gourmand dim sum spots to Michelin-starred roast meats, affordable Thai feasts and more, here’s our pick of the best for those on a budget.
The 2024 Bib Gourmand recipients were announced on Thursday, 7 March, ahead of the Michelin Guide Hong Kong and Macau 2024 award ceremony that will take place on Thursday, 14 March at Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau. Out of the 10 new entrants, we’re proud to see that seven are from Hong Kong and three are from Macau. That makes a total of 77 Bib Gourmand restaurants on the list in 2024, with 67 from Hong Kong!
Read More: Hong Kong Restaurants Awarded Michelin Stars
7 New Hong Kong Bib Gourmands Added In 2024
- Cheung Hing Kee, Tsim Sha Tsui
- Ăn Chơi, Sheung Wan
- Little Napoli, Happy Valley
- Man Yuen, Wong Tai Sin
- Sang Kee, Wan Chai
- Sang Kee Foods (Western District), Sai Ying Pun
- Twins Liangpi Limited, Mong Kok
More Bib Gourmand Restaurants & Michelin-Recommended Cheap Eats In Hong Kong
Saya – Tai Kok Tsui
A new recipient of the Michelin Bib Gourmand status this year (a category reserved for restaurants that offer exceptional food at moderate prices), this vibrant eatery’s expertise lies in Isan cuisine from Northeast Thailand. Think rich and creamy Khao Soy, chargrilled chicken and salt-crusted grilled fish seasoned with lemongrass and pandan.
Rating: Bib Gourmand
Price: Main dishes range between $88 and $268
Saya, Shop G701, GF, Square Mile II, 18 Ka Shin Street, Tai Kok Tsui, Hong Kong, 9555 8452, www.instagram.com/sayahkg
Read More: The Best Thai Restaurants In Hong Kong
Ship Kee – Wan Chai
Another newly crowned Bib Gourmand, Ship Kee opened its doors in 2021 to serve Master Woo’s honey-glazed BBQ pork amongst other succulent roast selections. Also boasting a dim sum chef with over 30 years of experience, the dim sum here is just as impressive.
Rating: Bib Gourmand
Price: Main dishes range between $38 and $238
Ship Kee, G/F, Pao Yip Building, 7 Ship Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2893 9688, www.epicurean.com.hk
Read More: Where To Find The Best Char Siu In Hong Kong
Tim Ho Wan – Sham Shui Po
Known to be the best value Michelin-rated dim sum in the city, it’s no wonder Tim Ho Wan scores highly in just about every top list of places to eat in the city! The branch in Sham Shui Po previously held One Star, and now retains Bib Gourmand status in the Michelin Guide. Dubbed “the best char siu bao” in Hong Kong, the humble barbecue pork bun is a must-order. Queues are expected but it’s worth the wait, we promise!
Rating: Bib Gourmand (Sham Shui Po)
Price: Dishes range between $18 and $37
Tim Ho Wan, multiple locations across Hong Kong, www.timhowan.com.hk
Wang Fu – Central
Serving up dumplings, noodles and a whole host of other authentic delights, Wang Fu has more than earned its Bib Gourmand Michelin status. Advertising its dumplings as “100 percent homemade”, this menu mainstay is a must-order, with around nine varieties available — and prices starting at only $75 for 10 pieces!
Sassy Tip: And if you don’t fancy a wait, you can always order this Hong Kong cheap eat on Deliveroo and have it delivered to your doorstep.
Rating: Bib Gourmand
Price: Dumplings range between $75 and $98 (for 10); $125 lunch set includes five steamed dumplings of your choice, one rice or noodle main dish and a drink (available on Deliveroo)
Wang Fu, 65 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong
Shugetsu – Central
If you’re wondering where to eat in Hong Kong for all things comfort, look no further than Shugetsu. Another Michelin Bib Gourmand pick, its homemade noodles are some of the best out there. The fully customisable menu means that it’s up to you to design your perfect tsukemen, picking your noodle temperature (cold or hot), flavour level (original or light), and noodle weight (100g, 200g, 300g).
Rating: Bib Gourmand (Central)
Price: Ramen ranges between $105 and $139; tsukemen ranges between $111 and $139
Shugetsu, 5 Gough Street, Central, Hong Kong, www.shugetsu.com.hk
Read More: The Best Tsukemen In Hong
Samsen – Wan Chai, Sheung Wan
If you’re after authentic Thai eats with a street food vibe, look no further than Samsen. With two branches on Hong Kong Island, this popular eatery delivers time and time again with bold flavours and generous portions.
Rating: Bib Gourmand (Wan Chai and Sheung Wan)
Price: Main dishes range between $128 and $178
Samsen (Wan Chai), 68 Stone Nullah Lane, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2234 0001
Samsen (Sheung Wan), 23 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, 2234 0080, www.samsen-hk.com
Kau Kee – Central
Stationed on Gough Street for over 90 years, the chefs here clearly know what they’re doing! Kau Kee often packs out — it’s not uncommon to see a long queue snaking down the street, so be prepared to wait for a bowl of its famous Beef Brisket Noodles! Though the service may be lacking, the steaming bowls of comfort food ensure Kau Kee remains one of our favourite Bib Gourmand cheap eats in Hong Kong.
Rating: Bib Gourmand
Price: Noodle dishes range between $37 and $190
Kau Kee, 21 Gough Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2850 5967
Kam’s Roast Goose – Wan Chai
This one-star gem is famous for its – you guessed it – roast goose, among a range of other Cantonese barbecue dishes including suckling pig, crispy roast pork and roast pork ribs. You can order large plates of the roasted meats separately or go for the roast on-rice options, starting at $50 for a single meat and $58 for double.
Rating: One Star
Price: Roasted meats range between $50 and $110
Kam’s Roast Goose, 226 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2520 1110, www.krg.com.hk
Din Tai Fung – Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway Bay
Always a favourite for good value and authentic dishes, Din Tai Fung is a mainstay on our favourite restaurant list. Boasting a Michelin Bib Gourmand rating, this world-famous pick is renowned for its juicy Xiao Long Bao, although the Shrimp and Pork Shao Mai and Spicy Vegetable and Pork Wontons are also worth an honourable mention. Head to either the Tsim Sha Tsui location or its large branch in Causeway Bay to get your fix!
Rating: Bib Gourmand (Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay)
Cost: Dishes range between $19 and $128 ($190 for five truffle Xiao Long Bao)
Din Tai Fung (Tsim Sha Tsui), Shop 306, 3F, Silvercord, 30 Canton Road, Hong Kong, 2730 6928
Din Tai Fung (Causeway Bay), Shop G3-G11, GF, 68 Yee Woo Street, Hong Kong, 3160 8998, www.dintaifung.com.hk
Read More: The Best Hong Kong Dim Sum
Brass Spoon – Wan Chai
If you’re a lover of classic Vietnamese pho, Brass Spoon is worth trying. The Wan Chai outlet has been awarded Bib Gourmand status for six years in a row! Its clear and flavourful soup base is famously cooked for at least 16 hours and is topped with silky rice noodles and tender raw beef for the perfect warming dish.
Rating: Bib Gourmand (Wan Chai)
Price: Pho ranges between $90 and $133
Brass Spoon, Shop B, G/F, 1-3 Moon Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2877 0898, www.thebrassspoon.com
Editor’s Note: “The Best Michelin-Recommended Cheap Eats In Hong Kong” was most recently updated by Nicole Moraleda in March 2024. With thanks to Annie Simpson and Jess Ng for their contribution.