The first time I sat with a couple of friends to have baskets of steamed dumplings, pu-er & chilli sauce; I knew that I was in love with this Cantonese tradition called 'Yum Cha'.
Traditionally, Yum Cha (in literal translation means 'drink tea'), is a cantonese tradition of eating dimsum and other small plates of food like pan fried turnip cakes, flaky pastries, pineapple buns. This is washed down with hot cups of tea alongside the meal. Usually eaten from morning till late afternoon this meal is eaten in groups with friends, family, colleagues for celebrations, get togethers etc.
When you ask HongKongers about their favorite place for yum cha, you'll probably get a lot of different answers. Each one has their own place to go with friends or family & you also have so many options for yum cha that it is quite easy to try out many places. Some places go the traditional way to keep the classic dishes & recipes alive while some chef's have done a modern take on these. It's all good and yummy, trust me!
Below are a few places that are popular and have been tried and tested by me. My take on these has been given but don't take it as the final decision and do experiment other places too. Enjoy this perfect meal with your family & friends.
Lei Garden
B2, Houston Centre, 63 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui (Exit P2 from East Tsim Sha Tsui station and 2 minutes walk)
This is a chain restaurant and has multiple branches in HK. I mostly go to the one I have mentioned here in TST.
The quality of the food for its price is the best so far. It's consistent every time I have been here and the flaky turnip pastries are to die for. Even the IFC branch is good but prices vary slightly. I find this one more homelier.
I go to Lei Garden quite often at least twice a month and this is one place I would definitely recommend you to try for yum cha.
Tim Ho Wan
9-11 Fuk Wing St, Sham Shui Po (Exit B1 from Sham Shui Po station and 10 mins walk)
This Michelin one star restaurant is one that you must tick off your bucket list. Is it my favorite? Ummm, maybe not. Don't get me wrong, for the reasonable price you get good food but it wasn't Michelin worthy food for me.
The BBQ pork buns are the best of the lot and most of the other items were okay but definitely worth the price you pay.
Make sure you time your visit to not hit the peak hour but mostly this place always has a wait.
Din Tai Fung
Silvercord, Shop 306, 3/F, 30 Canton Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui (Exit P2 from East Tsim Sha Tsui and 5 mins walk)
地下3-11舖, 68號 Yee Wo St, Causeway Bay (Exit F1 from Causeway Bay station and 10 mins walk)
Din Tai Fung again is a Michelin Star restaurant of 2010 whose speciality is xiaolongbao (steamed soup dumplings). Other than xiaolongbao their other dishes are also exemplary. Again a place I have been to n number of times and taken lots of friends and family.
It truly deserves the Michelin for their xiaolongbao and once you've had it no other place does justice to it the way they do. Originally a Taiwanese chain now found globally their quality of food and service is absolutely amazing. Tried all branches in HK and Macau and none have ever disappointed me.
Of course the xiaolongbao (pork one is better), cold cucumber in garlic chilli sauce, steamed pork buns and spicy wontons in numbing mala spice are some of my favorites but all the new dishes I keep trying on and off are good too. This place has something for everyone and I have never had a visitor not loving this place. A must go!
Yum Cha
Emperor Watch & Jewellery Ctr, 2/F Russell St, Causeway Bay (Exit A from Causeway Bay station)
This place is a rage for it's inspiration to create fun food. Most of the items are brought out in shapes of what they are made of. From piggy shaped BBQ pork buns to mustached sweet peanut butter buns to rainbow colored har gow (shrimp dumplings).
This is definitely the most fun place for food and every dish is instagram worthy. This may not be the best in terms of taste but if you're looking for some food and fun then do pay them a visit. They too have multiple branches in HK but I only went once.
Duddell's
Level 3 Shanghai Tang Mansion, 1 Duddell St, Central (Exit D1 from Central station and 5 mins walk)
Duddells is a posh place with great interiors serving amazing yum cha. They take their food as seriously as their attention to finer details like the cutlery, the layout, the art pieces in their restaurant. Exquisite interiors with some great sense of style this place is amazing for celebrations or when you want to have a brunch party.
The char siu is so delicate, rich, moist and intense all at the same time. It's a must try! They are well know for their pineapple buns with char siu too but make sure you're there in good time to get those. Their dumplings are all good and some of their rice rolls and fried spring rolls are all equally good.
A little more pricey but definitely worth it! I totally loved it.
Do try these places as per your convenience, price range and the kind that you would like. As I try out more places and if I do feel they have some thing unique about them I will keep adding it on here.