This has been on my HK eats list but it’s always pushed to the next trip due of the horrored lines and infinite waiting time. So I decided to go when I was in town for work with my mom. I warned her of how the situation might be. We went ready = not starved.
There is always a line because despite the popularity this place has gained, it still hasn’t gone commercial or increased its pricing. Thus baptized the cheapest Michelin star restaurant in the world.
You can't miss it.
At 11am, we were already placed at number 104.
So we ran some errands in the area and came back after an hour. Perfect timing, we were seated in minutes. I noticed there were mostly Chinese in line. If even they wait around for this food, then it must be worthy.
That's all of it.
We were seated by the kitchen.
Ofcourse I stood by the counter and watched the cooks prep.
Real small but everything is done quickly and efficiently. Hygienically? Maybe not.
Even if we were technically here for yam cha, it was such a hot day that I could not stand to have hot tea. So I ran across to the 7eleven and got me a nice cold Blue Girl. The only beer I drink in HK.
Didn't get to order loads cause it was just the 2 of us. Fresh Shrimp Dumplings. Dead simple. Real fresh. The skin is so thin you can practically see through it!
Sticky tender tendons.
Piece de resistance - char siu buns.
The light, crisp and flavor-FULL bun encapsulated the smokey, sweet barbecued pork. The dough was so well made that I couldn't make out how it was cooked. Brilliant.
I ordered 2 boxes of the buns to-go. As I finished my beer I thought to myself, there is nothing really mind-blowing about this place. It is food executed very well.
Humble and true to its origins, it deserves that Michelin star. The world needs more places like this.
Tim Ho Wan
GF Phase 2, Tsui Yuen Mansion
2-20 Kwong Wa St., Mong Kok
Kowloon, Hong Kong
T: +852 2332 2896
Subtle yet Robust's Blog 